Where your computer stores the WiFi password

Your computer keeps the WiFi password in a protected system file so it can reconnect automatically without asking you each time. On Windows, this lives in the Credential Manager. On Mac, it's stored in the Keychain. Both systems encrypt these passwords, so you need to go through the official settings to see them — you can't just open a folder and read them as plain text.

The password is there whether you set up the network yourself or joined someone else's. Your computer doesn't care which; it stores them the same way.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows stores WiFi passwords in Credential Manager, which you reach through Settings > Accounts > Credential Manager or by searching "Credential Manager" in the Start menu.
  • Mac stores WiFi passwords in Keychain Access, found in Applications > Utilities, and you must enter your Mac login password to view them.
  • You need administrator access on your computer to view saved passwords — a standard user account cannot retrieve them.
  • If you forget the password and can't retrieve it from your computer, you can reset the router itself, though this erases all saved passwords on every device.

Finding the password on Windows 10 or 11

Open Settings and go to Accounts > Credential Manager. Click "Windows Credentials" on the left side. Scroll down until you see an entry that starts with "WIFI:" followed by your network name. Click the arrow next to it to expand it.

Click "Show" next to the password field. Windows will ask you to confirm your login password — this is the password you use to sign into your computer, not the WiFi password. Enter it and click OK. The WiFi password appears in plain text.

If you don't see your network listed, it means either your computer has never connected to it, or the entry was deleted. You can also search "Credential Manager" directly from the Start menu instead of navigating through Settings.

Finding the password on Mac

Open Spotlight search (Command + Space) and type "Keychain Access", then press Enter. In the window that opens, make sure you're on the "Passwords" tab at the top. Search for your network name in the search box on the right side.

When you find your network, double-click it. A small window opens. Check the box that says "Show password" at the bottom. Mac asks for your login password — the one you use to unlock your Mac. Enter it. The WiFi password appears in the password field.

If the network doesn't appear, your Mac has never connected to it. Keychain only stores passwords for networks you've actually joined.

What to do if you can't see the password

If you're logged into a standard user account rather than an administrator account, you won't be able to view saved passwords. Ask whoever set up the computer to log in and retrieve it for you, or switch to an administrator account if you have the password for one.

If the network was set up by someone else and they've since deleted their account from the computer, the password may be gone. Windows and Mac both remove credentials when you delete a user account.

If you've forgotten the password and can't retrieve it from any computer that's connected, your only option is to reset the router itself. This erases all saved passwords on every device, so every phone, tablet, and computer will need to rejoin the network and enter the password fresh.

Why your computer stores passwords this way

Encryption protects the password so that malware or another person using your computer can't straightforward read the file and steal it. The system requires you to prove you own the computer by entering your login password before showing you the WiFi password. This is the same reason your browser doesn't show you saved passwords without confirmation.

If someone steals your computer, they can't get the WiFi password without knowing your login password. If they know your login password, they have much bigger problems to solve than the WiFi anyway.

Retrieving a password from a device that's still connected

If you have a phone or tablet still connected to the network, you can often see the password there instead. On iPhone, go to Settings > WiFi, tap the network name, and tap "Share Password" — it shows the password in a popup. On Android, go to Settings > WiFi, long-press the network name, tap "Share", and the password appears.

This is often faster than digging through your computer's settings, especially if you just need the password to connect another device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see passwords for networks I'm not currently connected to?

Yes. Your computer stores every password for every network you've ever joined, whether you're connected now or not. Windows Credential Manager and Mac Keychain both show all saved networks, not just the active one.

What if I see multiple entries for the same network?

This sometimes happens if you've rejoined a network after it was deleted from your saved list, or if the network name changed. Use the most recent entry. If you're unsure which one works, try the one with the latest date.

Does viewing the password on my computer affect the network or other devices?

No. Looking at the password changes nothing. Your phone, tablet, and other computers stay connected without interruption. You're only reading what's already stored.

Can I change the WiFi password from my computer?

No. Your computer only reads the password; it doesn't control the router. To change the WiFi password, you need to log into the router itself through a web browser or the router's app, which is a different process entirely.