Where your computer stores the WiFi password

Your computer keeps the WiFi password in a protected system file so it can reconnect to the network automatically. You do not need special software to find it — Windows, Mac, and Linux all have built-in tools that show you the password you have already entered. The steps differ by operating system, but the password is always stored locally on your device.

The password appears in plain text once you open the right settings menu or run a command. This is why you should only do this on your own computer, and why you should change your WiFi password if someone else has used your device.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can find the password through Settings > Network > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, then select the network and choose "Manage Password".
  • Mac users open System Settings > WiFi, select the network, and click "Details" to reveal the password after entering their Mac login password.
  • Linux users can retrieve the password from the NetworkManager configuration files using the terminal command sudo cat /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/[network-name].
  • You must have administrator or user account access on the computer to view stored passwords.
  • If you cannot remember which network name you connected to, check your router's label or log into your router's admin panel directly.

Finding the password on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Open Settings and go to Network & Internet. Click WiFi on the left side, then scroll down and select "Manage Known Networks." Find the network name (SSID) you are looking for and click it. A new window opens — click "Manage Password" and Windows will display the password in plain text.

If you see a message saying you do not have permission, you are not logged in as an administrator. Ask the person who set up the computer to log in and follow these steps instead. If the network no longer appears in the list, your computer has forgotten it — you will need to reconnect to the network first, which requires knowing the password from another source like your router.

Finding the password on Mac

Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions) and click WiFi. Select the network name from the list on the left, then click "Details." A window appears with network information. Look for the password field — it will show dots instead of the actual password. Click the eye icon next to the password field, and macOS will ask you to enter your Mac login password. Once you do, the WiFi password appears in plain text.

If you do not see the password field, the network may have been set up by another user account on the Mac. Switch to that account or ask the administrator to log in and repeat these steps. Some older networks may not display a password field if they use open (unsecured) WiFi.

Finding the password on Linux

Linux stores WiFi passwords in the NetworkManager configuration directory. Open a terminal and type the command sudo cat /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/[network-name], replacing [network-name] with the exact name of your network. Press Enter and type your user password when prompted. The file will display in the terminal, and you can find the password in the psk= line.

If you do not know the exact network name, type sudo ls /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/ first to see a list of all saved networks. The file names match the network names. Some Linux distributions may store this information in different locations — if the path above does not work, check your distribution's documentation or contact your system administrator.

What to do if you cannot find the password

If the network no longer appears in your saved networks list, your computer has forgotten it. You will need to reconnect to the network, which requires knowing the password from another source. Check your router — most routers have the default password printed on a label on the back or bottom of the device. Log into your router's admin panel using that password, and you can see or change the WiFi password from there.

If you have lost access to the router entirely, contact your internet service provider. They can reset the router to factory settings or provide the original password. This will erase all your custom settings, so it should be a last resort.

Keeping your password find after you find it

Once you have the password, do not share it in email, text message, or chat. If you need to give it to someone, tell them in person or change the password afterward. If you suspect someone has seen your password, change it through your router's admin panel. Most routers let you do this by typing your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a web browser, logging in with the admin password, and finding the WiFi settings.

If your computer has been used by someone you do not trust, change the WiFi password even if you are not sure they saw it. This is faster and safer than trying to figure out what they may have accessed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be an administrator to see the WiFi password?

Yes. On Windows and Mac, you need administrator access or the password of the account that connected to the network. On Linux, you need sudo privileges. If you are not the administrator, ask whoever set up the computer to show you the password instead.

What if the password field shows dots and I cannot click an eye icon?

On Mac, make sure you are clicking the eye icon next to the password field, not somewhere else in the window. On Windows, the password should appear in plain text without needing to click anything. If it does not, try refreshing the page or restarting Settings.

Can I find the password if I forgot my login password?

No. You need to log into your user account or have administrator access to view stored passwords. If you have forgotten your login password, you will need to reset it through your operating system's recovery process, which varies by device.

Will finding the password change or reset it?

No. Viewing the password does not change it or affect your connection. The password remains the same until you manually change it through your router settings.

What if my network name does not appear in the saved networks list?

Your computer has forgotten the network. You will need to reconnect to it, which requires knowing the password from another source — usually the router label or your internet service provider. Once you reconnect, the password will be saved and you can view it using these steps.