Where your computer stores your WiFi password

Your computer keeps the password for every network it has ever connected to, stored in encrypted form in your operating system. Windows and Mac both save this information automatically — you do not have to do anything to store it. The password sits there so your device can reconnect without asking you to type it in every time.

The catch: the password is not visible in plain text by default. You have to go into your system settings and ask the computer to show it to you. The steps are different on Windows and Mac, and the location has changed slightly over the past few versions of each operating system.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 and 11, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then WiFi, select your network name, and click "Manage Known Networks" to view the password.
  • On Mac, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions), go to WiFi, select your network, and click "WiFi Password" — you may need to enter your Mac login password to see it.
  • If you cannot remember which network is yours, look for the one with a checkmark or "Connected" label next to it.
  • Your computer will only show you passwords for networks it has already connected to; you cannot retrieve a password for a network you have never joined.

Finding your password on Windows 10 and 11

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app when it appears. Once Settings is open, select Network & Internet from the left sidebar.

Click WiFi in the left menu. You will see a list of networks your computer knows about. Find the one you want the password for — it will likely say "Connected" next to it. Click on that network name, then click the button that says Manage Known Networks.

A new window will open showing details about that network. Look for a field labeled Password or Security Key. The password will be hidden by default, shown as dots or asterisks. Click the eye icon next to the password field to reveal it in plain text. Write it down or copy it before you close the window.

Finding your password on Mac

On newer Macs running macOS Ventura or later, open System Settings (not System Preferences). On older Macs, open System Preferences. Both are usually in your Applications folder or accessible through Spotlight — press Command and Space, type the name, and press Enter.

Once the settings window is open, click WiFi in the sidebar. You will see your current network listed. Click the network name you want the password for, then click the button labeled WiFi Password. Your Mac will ask you to enter your login password — this is a security check to make sure only you can see stored passwords. Type your Mac password and click OK.

The WiFi password will appear in a text field. You can now copy it or write it down. If you do not see a "WiFi Password" button, your Mac may be running an older version — try clicking "Advanced" instead and looking for the password field there.

What to do if you cannot find the password

If you have forgotten your password and your computer will not show it to you, the most common reason is that your computer has never actually connected to that network. Computers only store passwords for networks they have joined before. If you are trying to find the password for a network you set up yourself, you will need to reset it through your router instead.

If you are sure your computer has connected to the network but still cannot find it in your settings, restart your computer and try again. Sometimes the network list does not refresh properly until you reboot.

Retrieving a password from a network you no longer use

If you moved, changed internet providers, or switched routers, your old network may still be in your computer's memory. You can still see its password using the same steps above — just look for the network name in your list, even if it says "Not Connected" next to it. The password will still be there.

If you want to remove a network from your computer's memory so it stops trying to reconnect, you can do that from the same menu. On Windows, right-click the network name and select "Forget." On Mac, click the network and then click "Remove" or the minus button.

Why your computer stores passwords this way

Your operating system encrypts WiFi passwords so that if someone steals your computer, they cannot straightforward read the password file and gain access to your network. The encryption means the password is useless to a thief without also having your login credentials. This is why your Mac asks for your password before showing you a stored WiFi password — it is verifying that you own the computer.

The downside is that if you forget both your computer login password and your WiFi password, recovering the WiFi password becomes much harder. You would need to reset your router to factory settings, which erases all its settings and requires you to set it up from scratch.

Sharing your password safely with guests

Once you have found your password, you can give it to guests or family members who need to connect. There is no security risk in sharing your WiFi password — it only gives them access to your internet, not to your files or your computer itself. If you later want to prevent someone from using your network, you can change the password in your router settings, and they will be disconnected.

If you share your password frequently, consider writing it down and keeping it somewhere visible, like on a sticky note near your router. This is simpler than retrieving it from your computer settings every time someone asks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see passwords for networks I have never connected to?

No. Your computer only stores passwords for networks it has actually joined. If you want the password for a network you see in your WiFi list but have never connected to, you will need to ask the network owner for it.

What if I see a network name I do not recognize in my stored networks list?

That network was connected to at some point in the past, possibly by a previous owner of the computer or by someone else who used it. You can remove it by forgetting the network in your settings. Removing it does not affect the network itself — it just tells your computer to stop remembering it.

Is it safe to write down my WiFi password?

Yes, as long as you keep the written password in a safe place. Anyone with physical access to the paper can use your WiFi, but they cannot access your computer files. If you are concerned about security, keep the password somewhere only household members know about, like a drawer in your bedroom rather than on the refrigerator.

Will resetting my router erase the password my computer has stored?

No. Your computer stores a copy of the password separately from your router. Resetting the router will change the actual WiFi password, but your computer will still have the old one stored until you manually remove it or try to reconnect and fail.