The fastest way: View a saved password you're already connected to

If your Windows 10 computer is already connected to the WiFi network, you can pull the password directly from your system settings without needing to reset the router. Windows stores the password in an encrypted form, and you can view it in plain text through the network settings panel.

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then select it. Go to Network & Internet, then click WiFi on the left side. Under "Related settings", click Manage known networks. Find your network name in the list and click it, then select Forget. This removes it from your saved list temporarily — don't worry, you'll add it back in seconds.

Now click the WiFi icon in your system tray (bottom right corner), find your network name again, and click it. Select Connect. A box will appear asking for the password. Before you enter it, look for a small eye icon or checkbox labeled "Show password" — check that box. Type the password you use to connect, and Windows will display it in plain text so you can write it down or read it aloud to someone else.

Key Takeaways

  • If you're already connected, the fastest method is to forget the network in Settings, then reconnect and check the "Show password" box while entering it.
  • You can also view saved passwords through Command Prompt by running a command that displays all stored network passwords in plain text.
  • If you don't remember the password and can't retrieve it from Windows, you'll need to reset your router to factory settings using the reset button on the back.
  • Resetting the router erases all your custom settings, so write down your network name and any other details before you reset.

Using Command Prompt to see all saved WiFi passwords at once

If you want to view the password without forgetting and reconnecting, or if you need to see passwords for networks you're not currently connected to, Command Prompt offers a faster route. This method shows every WiFi password your computer has ever stored.

Press the Windows key and type "Command Prompt". Right-click it and select Run as administrator — this step is required, or the command won't work. A black window will open. Type this exactly: netsh wlan show profile and press Enter. You'll see a list of every network your computer has connected to, with each name labeled as "Profile".

Find the network you're looking for in that list. Now type this command, replacing "NetworkName" with the exact name from the list: netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clear. Press Enter. Scroll up in the Command Prompt window until you find the line that says "Key Content" — the password appears right after it in plain text.

What to do if you can't find the password in Windows

If your computer has never connected to this network before, or if Windows won't display the password through either method above, the password isn't stored on your computer. At this point, you have two options: contact whoever set up the router, or reset the router itself.

Before you reset, understand what happens: the router returns to factory settings, which means your custom network name and password disappear. You'll have to set them up again from scratch. Write down your current network name and password somewhere safe first if you can get them any other way.

To reset, look for a small recessed button on the back or bottom of the router — it's usually labeled "Reset". Use a paperclip or pen to hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will flash and the router will restart. Once it boots back up, it will broadcast a default network name (often something like "TP-Link" or "Netgear" followed by numbers). Connect to that network, then log into the router's setup page — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in your browser — and create a new network name and password.

Why Windows stores passwords and when it stops

Windows saves WiFi passwords so you don't have to type them every time you connect. The system encrypts them and stores them in a protected folder that only your user account can access. This is why you need to be logged in as an administrator to view them — Windows is checking that you have permission to see your own network credentials.

The password stays saved until you manually forget the network or until you reset Windows. If you change the WiFi password on your router but don't update it on your computer, Windows will keep trying to connect with the old password and fail. In that case, forget the network and reconnect with the new password so Windows stores the updated version.

Viewing passwords from a different user account

If someone else set up the WiFi on your computer and you're using a different user account, you won't be able to view their password through normal methods. Each Windows user account has its own encrypted password storage, and you can't access another account's saved credentials even if you're an administrator.

Your options are to ask the person who set it up for the password, or to reset the router. If you're the administrator of the computer and need to access passwords from another account, you can reset that account's password through Settings, but that's a separate process and doesn't give you access to their WiFi passwords — it just lets you log in as them.

Keeping your WiFi password find after you find it

Once you have the password, treat it like any other sensitive information. Don't share it in email or text message, and don't write it on a sticky note on your monitor. If you need to give it to a guest, tell them verbally or write it down on paper you destroy afterward.

If you suspect someone has your password without permission, change it through your router's settings page. Log in with your router's admin credentials (usually printed on a sticker on the router itself), find the WiFi settings, and create a new password. All devices will disconnect and you'll have to reconnect them with the new password — Windows will ask you to enter it, and it will store the new version automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if Command Prompt says "Access Denied" when I try to run the command?

You didn't run Command Prompt as administrator. Close it and try again, but this time right-click on Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator" before typing the command. Windows requires administrator permission to display stored passwords.

Can I see WiFi passwords from networks I'm not connected to anymore?

Yes, as long as Windows still has them saved. Use the Command Prompt method to see all stored passwords, even for networks you haven't used in months. The password stays saved until you manually forget the network or reset Windows.

Will viewing my password in Windows change it or cause any problems?

No. Viewing the password only reads what's already stored on your computer — it doesn't change anything on the router or affect your connection. You can view it as many times as you need.

What's the difference between the network name and the password?

The network name (also called SSID) is what you see when you look for WiFi networks to connect to — it's the label. The password is what you type to connect. Windows stores both, but you only need to retrieve the password.

If I reset my router, will I lose internet on all my devices?

Yes, temporarily. All devices will disconnect when you reset. After the router restarts, you'll need to reconnect each device using the new default network name and password, then set up a custom name and password through the router's settings page.