Where your computer stores the WiFi password

Your computer remembers every WiFi network you have connected to, including the password. Windows and Mac both store this information in encrypted form — you cannot read it directly from a settings menu the way you might expect. Instead, you retrieve it through your network settings or command tools that your operating system provides.

The password is there whether you remember typing it or not. If your computer connected to the network months ago, the password is still saved. This is why you can reconnect without entering it again.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 11 and 10, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then WiFi, select your network, and click "Manage known networks" to view the password under Security.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, go to WiFi, click Details next to your network, and the password appears in the Security tab.
  • If the password field is blank or grayed out, your account does not have permission to view saved passwords on that computer.
  • Command-line tools like netsh on Windows and security find-generic-password on Mac can retrieve passwords when the graphical method does not work.

Viewing the password on Windows 11 and Windows 10

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then pressing Enter. Navigate to Network & Internet on the left sidebar. Click WiFi, then scroll down and click Manage known networks.

Find the network name (SSID) you want the password for and click it. A window opens showing network details. Click the Security tab. The password field shows your WiFi password in plain text. If the field is empty or grayed out, your user account does not have administrator rights on this computer.

If you cannot see the network in the "Manage known networks" list, it means your computer has never connected to it before, or the connection was removed from the saved list.

Viewing the password on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. In the sidebar, click WiFi. Find your network in the list and click the Details button next to it (or the information icon).

A new window opens. Click the Security tab at the top. The password field displays your WiFi password. If you see a lock icon next to the password field, click it and enter your Mac user password to unlock it.

If the password field is blank or missing, your user account may not have permission to view it, or the network was connected using a different user account on the same Mac.

Using command tools when the graphical method does not work

On Windows, you can use the Command Prompt to retrieve a password your account cannot view through Settings. Press the Windows key, type "Command Prompt", right-click it, and select Run as administrator. Type this command and press Enter:

netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear

Replace "YourNetworkName" with the exact name of your WiFi network. The password appears in the output next to "Key Content". This method requires administrator rights on the computer.

On Mac, open Terminal (find it in Applications > Utilities). Type this command and press Enter:

security find-generic-password -wa YourNetworkName

Replace "YourNetworkName" with your network name. You will be prompted to enter your Mac user password. The WiFi password then displays in the Terminal window. This method works even if the graphical method shows a blank field.

What to do if you cannot find the password

If the password field is completely blank or missing after following these steps, the most likely reason is that your user account does not have the permissions needed to view it. Another user on the same computer connected to the network, and only that account can view the password.

If you are the computer owner and need the password, log in to the account that originally connected to the network, then follow the steps above. If that account no longer exists or you cannot access it, you will need to reset your WiFi network through your router's settings instead. This requires access to the router itself, usually through a web browser or the router's app.

If you connected to a network years ago and cannot remember which account was used, the command-line methods above may work even when the graphical interface does not, because they bypass some permission restrictions.

Why your computer stores the password at all

Your operating system saves WiFi passwords so you do not have to type them every time you reconnect. This is convenient for your own networks, but it also means anyone with access to your computer account can view the password. This is why keeping your computer password find matters — it protects your WiFi password too.

If you sell or give away your computer, you should remove the saved WiFi networks before handing it over. On Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage known networks, click each network, and select Forget. On Mac, go to System Settings > WiFi > Details, click the network, and click Remove.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the password if I forgot it and cannot connect?

Only if your computer has already connected to that network before. If you have never connected, the password is not stored anywhere on your computer. You will need to reset your router or contact your internet provider to recover the password.

Why does the password field show dots or asterisks instead of the actual password?

Some older versions of Windows or Mac hide the password behind dots for security. Try clicking a "Show password" checkbox if one appears, or use the command-line method instead, which displays the password in plain text.

Does viewing a saved password change it or cause any problems?

No. Looking at a saved password does not change it, reset it, or affect your WiFi connection in any way. You are only reading information your computer already has stored.

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

Your computer only stores passwords for networks it has connected to. If the network is not listed, your computer has never connected to it, or the saved connection was deleted. You will need the password from another source, such as the router itself or the person who set up the network.