Where your laptop stores the password you already connected to
If your laptop has already connected to a WiFi network, the password is stored in your system settings — you just need to know where to look. Windows and Mac keep this information in different places, but both let you view it without special tools. You do not need to reset the network or contact your internet provider; the password is right there on your device.
The steps differ depending on whether you use Windows or Mac, and the exact menu names change slightly between versions. But the core idea is the same: find the network in your saved connections, then ask your system to show the password in plain text.
Key Takeaways
- Windows stores WiFi passwords in Settings under Network & Internet, where you can view the password for any network your laptop has connected to before.
- Mac users can find the password through Keychain Access, a built-in tool that holds passwords for networks and accounts your computer remembers.
- Both systems require you to confirm your user account password before showing a stored WiFi password, as a security check.
- If your laptop has never connected to the network, these methods will not show the password — you will need to ask the network owner or check a router label.
Finding the password on Windows 10 and Windows 11
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select the Settings app. Go to Network & Internet, then choose WiFi from the left menu. Scroll down and click Manage known networks. You will see a list of every network your laptop has connected to; click the one you need the password for.
Click Forget first — this seems backwards, but it opens the password view. A window will pop up asking if you are sure; do not click Forget again. Instead, close that window and go back to the network list. Now click the same network again and select Properties. Scroll down to Security type and Security key. The security key is your password. Check the box next to Show to display it in plain text instead of dots.
If you do not see the network in the list, your laptop has not connected to it before. You will need the password from the network owner or from a label on the router itself.
Finding the password on Mac
Open Keychain Access by pressing Command + Space, typing "Keychain," and pressing Enter. In the window that opens, make sure you are on the Passwords tab (not Certificates or Keys). Search for the network name in the search box at the top right.
When you find the network, double-click it. A details window opens. Check the box next to Show password. Your Mac will ask you to confirm your user account password — type it in and click Allow. The WiFi password will then appear in plain text in the password field.
If the network does not appear in Keychain, your Mac has not connected to it before. Ask the network owner or check the router for the password.
What to do if you cannot remember your account password
On Windows, if you cannot enter your user password when prompted, you will not be able to view the stored WiFi password through Settings. You have two other options: restart your laptop and try a different user account that has administrator rights, or contact whoever manages your computer (your IT department at work, or a family member if it is a shared device).
On Mac, the same applies — you need your user account password to unlock Keychain. If you have forgotten it, you can reset it through Apple ID, but that process takes time. If someone else on the Mac has an administrator account, they can view the password instead.
When the password is not stored on your laptop
Your laptop only stores passwords for networks it has actually connected to. If you are trying to find the password for a network you have never joined, or one you joined on a different device, these steps will not work. In that case, you need to contact whoever set up the network — usually the router owner or your internet provider.
If it is your own router, look for a sticker on the back or bottom of the device. Most routers ship with a default WiFi name and password printed there. If you have changed the password since then, you can reset the router to factory settings, but that will disconnect all devices and erase any custom settings you made.
Why your laptop asks for your account password before showing the WiFi password
This is a security feature. Your user account password proves you own or have permission to use the laptop. Without it, anyone who borrowed your computer could see every password it has stored — for WiFi networks, email accounts, and websites. Requiring you to enter your account password before revealing a stored password keeps your information safer if your laptop is ever lost or stolen.
This is also why you should never leave your laptop unattended while you are logged in, and why you should use a strong, unique account password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see a WiFi password if I am not the one who set up the network?
Only if you have the user account password for the laptop that connected to it. If you do not have that password, you cannot view the stored WiFi password through these methods. You would need to ask the network owner directly.
What if the password field shows asterisks or dots instead of the actual password?
On Windows, make sure you clicked the Show checkbox. On Mac, make sure you checked Show password and entered your user account password when prompted. If you did both and it still shows dots, try closing and reopening Keychain Access.
Does viewing a stored password change it or log me out?
No. Viewing the password does not change it, reset it, or affect your connection. You can look at it as many times as you want without any impact on the network or your devices.
Can I find a WiFi password on my phone the same way?
The process is different on phones. On iPhone, you cannot view stored WiFi passwords through settings. On Android, go to Settings, then Network & Internet, then WiFi, long-press the network name, and tap Manage — but this only works on Android 10 and later, and only for networks you set up yourself.