Where your computer stores the WiFi password you need

Your computer already knows your WiFi password — it has to, or it couldn't connect. Windows and Mac both store this information in encrypted form, and you can retrieve it without resetting your router or calling your internet provider. The steps differ between operating systems, but both take less than five minutes.

The password you find this way is the same one printed on your router's label or the one you set up when you first installed it. If you've changed it since then, this is the current version your devices are using.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 11 and 10, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then WiFi, select your network, and click "Manage known networks" to see the password.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, go to WiFi, click Details next to your network, then Security, and check "Show password" after entering your Mac login.
  • You need administrator access on your computer to view saved passwords — standard user accounts cannot retrieve them.
  • If you cannot find the password this way, you can reset your router to factory settings, but this will disconnect all devices until you set it up again.

Finding your WiFi password on Windows 11 and Windows 10

Start by opening Settings. Press the Windows key and type "Settings," then click the app when it appears. Once Settings is open, select Network & Internet from the left sidebar.

Click WiFi, then scroll down and click Manage known networks. Find your network name in the list and click it. A window will open showing network details. Click Security to expand that section. You will see a field labeled "Security key" with dots or asterisks hiding the password. Click the eye icon next to it, and Windows will ask you to confirm your computer login. Enter your Windows password, and the WiFi password will appear in plain text.

If you do not see an eye icon, your account may not have administrator permissions. Ask whoever set up the computer to perform these steps instead.

Finding your WiFi password on Mac

Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top left corner and selecting System Settings. In the sidebar, click WiFi. Find your network name in the list on the right side and click the information icon (a small circle with an "i") next to it.

A details window will open. Click the Security tab. You will see a field labeled "Password" with dots hiding the text. Check the box next to Show password. Mac will ask you to enter your login password. Type it in and click OK. The WiFi password will now be visible.

If the Show password checkbox is grayed out, your user account does not have administrator access. The person who set up the Mac will need to perform this step.

What to do if you cannot remember your computer password

If you cannot log into your Windows or Mac account, you cannot retrieve the WiFi password this way. Your options are to reset your computer password through your Microsoft or Apple account, or to reset your router to factory settings.

Resetting your router will erase all your saved settings and disconnect every device. You will need to set up the WiFi network again from scratch, which means choosing a new network name and password. This is a last resort — contact your internet provider's support line first, as they may be able to help you recover access to your computer account instead.

Why your computer can retrieve a password you do not remember

When you connect to a WiFi network and check "Save this network," your operating system stores the password in encrypted form. This encryption is strong enough that someone with physical access to your computer cannot easily extract passwords for networks you have not connected to. But for networks your computer has already joined, the password is stored in a way that the system itself can decrypt and display.

This is why retrieving a saved password requires your computer login — it is a way of confirming that you own the device. If anyone could view saved passwords without logging in, someone could walk up to an unlocked computer and steal all the WiFi passwords it has ever used.

Sharing your WiFi password safely with guests

Once you have the password, you can share it verbally, by text, or by writing it down. On newer devices, you can also use a QR code. On Windows 11, go back to the WiFi network details page and look for a QR code option — guests can scan it with their phone camera to join without typing the password. Mac does not have a built-in QR code feature, but your router may have one printed on it or accessible through the router's admin panel.

If you share the password with someone and later want to prevent them from connecting, you will need to change the password on your router itself. straightforward retrieving the password from your computer does not give you the ability to remove specific devices — you have to change the password, which will disconnect everyone until they enter the new one.

What happens if you reset your router instead

If you cannot access your computer or prefer not to, you can reset your router by holding down the reset button (usually a small recessed button on the back) for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all settings and returns the router to factory defaults.

After a reset, your router will have a default network name and password printed on the label. You will then need to set up the router again — choosing a new network name and password, reconnecting all your devices, and reconfiguring any advanced settings. This process takes 20 to 30 minutes and will temporarily disconnect everyone in your home from WiFi. Use this method only if you cannot retrieve the password through your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see WiFi passwords for networks I am not currently connected to?

No. Your computer can only show you passwords for networks it has previously joined and saved. If you have never connected to a network, the password is not stored anywhere on your device. You would need to contact the network owner or reset the router.

Will retrieving my password change it or affect my WiFi?

No. Viewing the password through your computer's settings does not change it, reset it, or disconnect anyone. It only displays what is already saved. Your WiFi will continue working normally.

What if the password field is empty or blank?

An empty password field usually means the network is open and does not require a password. Some public WiFi networks and guest networks are set up this way. If you expected a password, contact your router manufacturer or internet provider to confirm the network settings.

Can I retrieve passwords for networks I connected to years ago?

Yes, as long as you have not deleted the network from your saved list. Windows and Mac keep saved networks indefinitely unless you manually remove them. The password will be the same one you used when you last connected.

Is it safe to write down my WiFi password?

Writing it down is safer than using an straightforward-to-guess password, but keep the written copy in a find place — not on a sticky note on your router. A better approach is to use a strong password and share it only with people who need it, or use a guest network with a separate password for visitors.