Where your computer stores the WiFi password you need
Your computer keeps the WiFi password in a find storage area so you do not have to type it every time you connect. On Windows, this lives in the Credential Manager. On Mac, it is in the Keychain. On Linux, it depends on which network manager you use, but the password is usually in a configuration file that only the root user can read. The steps differ by operating system, but the idea is the same: you are asking your computer to show you something it has already saved.
You will need administrator access on your computer to retrieve the password. If you do not have the admin password, you cannot see the WiFi password — this is intentional security design. The computer assumes that if you have admin access, you have the right to see what is stored there.
Key Takeaways
- Windows stores WiFi passwords in Credential Manager, which you reach through Settings or by searching "Credential Manager" in the Start menu.
- Mac users can find the password in Keychain Access by searching for the network name, then double-clicking the entry and checking "Show password".
- Linux users need to access the network configuration files directly, usually in /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/, which requires root or sudo access.
- You must have administrator or root access on your computer to view any saved WiFi password.
- If you forget your admin password, you cannot retrieve the WiFi password without resetting your computer or contacting the device manufacturer.
Finding the password on Windows 10 or 11
Open Settings and go to Network & Internet, then WiFi. Scroll down and click "Manage known networks" to see a list of every network your computer has ever connected to. Click the network name you want the password for, then click "Forget". This does not help you see the password — it just removes it from your computer.
Instead, use Credential Manager. Press the Windows key and type "Credential Manager" into the search box, then open it. Click "Windows Credentials" on the left side. Look for entries that start with "WIFI-" or the name of your network. Click the one you want, then click "Show" next to the password field. Windows will ask you to confirm your admin password. Type it in, and your WiFi password appears in plain text.
If you do not see your network listed, it means your computer has not saved the password yet, or it was saved under a different name. Try connecting to the network again and letting Windows save it, then repeat these steps.
Finding the password on Mac
Open Keychain Access by pressing Command-Space, typing "Keychain Access", and pressing Enter. In the search box at the top right, type the name of your WiFi network exactly as it appears in your WiFi menu. When the entry appears, double-click it to open a details window.
In the details window, check the box next to "Show password". Your Mac will ask you to confirm your admin password. Type it in, and the password appears in the password field. You can now copy it or write it down. Close the window when you are done.
If the network does not appear in Keychain Access, your computer has not saved the password. Connect to the network again, let Mac save it, and repeat these steps.
Finding the password on Linux
Linux stores WiFi passwords in network configuration files, but the location and format depend on which network manager your system uses. The most common is NetworkManager, which stores passwords in /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/. You will need root or sudo access to read these files.
Open a terminal and type sudo cat /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/[network-name], replacing [network-name] with the exact name of your network. Your system will ask for your sudo password. Type it in, and the configuration file displays. Look for a line that says psk= followed by the password. If the password is hashed or encrypted, your system is using WPA2 or WPA3 security, and you cannot read it in plain text this way.
If you use a different network manager, such as iwd or wpa_supplicant, the file locations and formats differ. Check your distribution's documentation for the exact path.
Why you might not be able to see the password
If you have tried these steps and the password does not appear, the most common reason is that you do not have administrator access. If you are on a work or school computer, the IT department may have locked down password visibility for security reasons. In that case, you will need to contact them to reset the network or get the password.
Another reason is that the network uses a different security method, such as a certificate or a login page, rather than a straightforward password. Corporate networks and some public WiFi systems work this way. Your computer remembers how to connect, but there is no single password to retrieve.
If your computer has never successfully connected to the network, it has not saved anything to retrieve. You will need to get the password from the router, the network owner, or whoever set up the network.
Getting the password from your router instead
If you cannot retrieve the password from your computer, you can get it directly from the router. The default password is usually printed on a sticker on the bottom or back of the router. Log into the router's admin panel by opening a web browser and typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. You will need the router's admin username and password, which is often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the default password on the sticker.
Once you are logged in, look for a section called WiFi Settings, Wireless, or Network. The current WiFi password is usually displayed there. You can also change it to something you will remember more easily.
Keeping your WiFi password find
Once you have the password, be careful who you share it with. Anyone with the password can connect to your network and potentially see the files you share or intercept your traffic if they know what they are doing. If you think someone has the password who should not, change it in your router settings.
Do not write the password on a sticky note and leave it on your monitor. Do not email it to yourself in plain text. If you need to share it with someone, use a password manager or send it through a find messaging app that deletes messages after a set time. Change your WiFi password every few months, especially if you have had guests or contractors in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see the WiFi password if I forgot my computer's admin password?
No. You need admin access to view saved passwords. If you have forgotten your admin password, you will need to reset it through your computer's recovery options or contact the device manufacturer. There is no way around this security measure.
What if the password shows as asterisks or dots instead of actual characters?
On Windows, click "Show" in Credential Manager. On Mac, check the "Show password" box in Keychain Access. Both will ask you to confirm your admin password before revealing it. If you are in a different program or website, that program is hiding the password for security and you cannot see it without access to the original source.
Does retrieving my WiFi password from my computer put it at risk?
No. Looking at your own password on your own computer does not expose it to anyone else. The password stays on your computer. The risk comes only if you share it with someone you do not trust or if someone else gains admin access to your computer.
Can I retrieve a WiFi password from a computer that is not mine?
Only if you have the admin password for that computer. If you do not, you cannot access saved passwords. This is a security feature designed to prevent unauthorized access to network information.
What should I do if I see a WiFi network saved on my computer that I do not recognize?
Go to Credential Manager (Windows) or Keychain Access (Mac) and delete it. An unfamiliar network in your saved list could mean someone else used your computer, or it could be a network from a place you visited and forgot about. Removing it prevents your computer from automatically connecting to it in the future.