Where Windows stores your WiFi password

Windows keeps your WiFi password in the network settings, and you can retrieve it without resetting your router. The password is encrypted in your system, but Windows will show it to you if you have administrator access to that computer.

The fastest way is through the WiFi icon in your taskbar. Click the WiFi symbol in the bottom right corner of your screen, find the network name you are connected to, right-click it, and select "Manage known networks." Find your network in the list, click it, then click "Properties." Scroll down to "Security type and security info" — your password appears there in plain text next to "Security key."

If that method does not show the password, or if you need to find a password for a network you are not currently connected to, use the Settings app instead. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then WiFi, then "Manage known networks." Select the network and click Properties. The security key field will display your password if you have the right permissions on this computer.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, right-click your WiFi network name in the taskbar and select "Manage known networks" to see the password under Properties.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, go to WiFi, click Details next to your network, and look for the password field — you may need to unlock it with your Mac password.
  • You must have administrator access on the computer to view saved passwords; standard user accounts cannot retrieve them.
  • If you cannot see the password field, your account does not have permission to view it, and you will need to reset your router instead.

Finding the password on a Mac

Mac stores WiFi passwords in the Keychain, which is its password manager. The process is simpler than Windows but requires your Mac login password to unlock the information.

Open System Settings and click WiFi. Find your network in the list, click the information icon (the small circle with an "i") next to it, then click Details. Look for the password field — it will show dots instead of the actual password at first. Click the eye icon next to the password field, and your Mac will ask you to enter your Mac login password. Type it in and click OK. The password now appears in plain text.

If you do not see a password field at all, your Mac may not have saved the password, or you may not have permission to view it. Try disconnecting from the network and reconnecting — your Mac will prompt you to enter the password again, which will re-save it to the Keychain.

What to do if you cannot see the password

If the password field is blank or missing, your account does not have the permissions needed to view it. On Windows, only administrator accounts can retrieve saved passwords. On Mac, you need your Mac login password to unlock Keychain.

If you are on a work or school computer, the network administrator may have blocked password viewing for security reasons. In that case, contact your IT department or help desk — they can provide the password or reset your connection.

If this is your own computer and you still cannot access the password, your last option is to reset your router. This erases all saved passwords on every device and forces you to set up the network again from scratch. Most routers have a small reset button on the back that you hold for 10 to 15 seconds, but check your router's manual for the exact steps.

Viewing passwords for networks you are not connected to

Both Windows and Mac let you see passwords for networks you have connected to before, even if you are not currently on them. This is useful if you need to give someone the password without being at your router.

On Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > "Manage known networks." The list shows every network your computer has ever connected to. Click any network and select Properties to see its password.

On Mac, open System Settings > WiFi > Details. The list shows all saved networks. Click the one you want, then click Details again to see the password field. You will need to enter your Mac password to unlock it.

Why your password might not appear

Sometimes the password field exists but shows nothing, or the network does not appear in your saved list at all. This usually means one of three things: the password was never saved to this computer, your account does not have permission to view it, or the network connection was set up by someone else on a different account.

If you set up the network yourself on your own account, the password should be there. If someone else connected this computer to the network using their account, you may not be able to see it — they would need to log in and retrieve it for you.

On work or school networks, administrators sometimes configure the connection so that individual user accounts cannot view the password, even if they are connected. This is a security measure. Contact your IT support if you need the password for a managed network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a WiFi password if I am not connected to that network?

Yes, on both Windows and Mac you can view passwords for any network your computer has connected to before. The password is stored locally on your computer, not on the router. You just need administrator access (Windows) or your Mac login password (Mac) to view it.

What if I forgot my Mac password and cannot unlock Keychain?

You will need to reset your Mac password through your Apple ID or recovery key before you can view saved passwords. Once you regain access to your Mac, the Keychain will unlock with your new password. If you cannot reset your Mac password, you will need to reset your router instead.

Does viewing the password on my computer change anything on my router?

No. Viewing a saved password only reads what your computer already has stored. It does not change your router settings, reset the network, or affect any other device. The password remains the same until you manually change it in your router settings.

Can a standard user account on Windows see saved WiFi passwords?

No. Only administrator accounts can view saved WiFi passwords on Windows. If you are on a standard account, you will need to ask someone with administrator access to retrieve it for you, or you can reset your router.

What if the password field is locked on Mac and I cannot unlock it?

Your Mac is asking for your login password as a security check. Enter the same password you use to log into your Mac. If you do not remember your Mac password, you will need to reset it through your Apple ID before you can proceed.