Where Windows 10 Stores Your WiFi Password

Windows 10 keeps the password for any WiFi network you have connected to before, even if you do not remember typing it in. The password is encrypted and stored in your system settings, not written down anywhere you can see it directly. To retrieve it, you use the network settings panel or the command line — both methods pull the same stored password from the same place.

You need to be logged in as an administrator on your computer to see a password. If you use a standard user account, you will not have permission to view it. The person who set up your computer or the network owner can always retrieve the password this way, but a standard user cannot.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 stores WiFi passwords in encrypted form, and you can view them through Settings or Command Prompt if you have administrator access.
  • The Settings method is simpler and requires no typing of commands — you navigate through menus to find the network and click "Show password".
  • The Command Prompt method works the same way but requires typing a specific command and is useful if the Settings route is not working.
  • You must be logged in as an administrator to see any stored password, regardless of which method you use.

Viewing the Password Through Settings

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the Settings app. Go to Network & Internet, then WiFi. Scroll down and click "Manage known networks". You will see a list of every network your computer has connected to before.

Find the network whose password you need and click it. Click "Forget" — this does not delete the password, it just opens the network details. A new window will appear. Look for the line that says "Network security key" or "Password". Click the eye icon next to it to show the password in plain text. Write it down or take a screenshot before you close the window.

If you do not see an eye icon, your computer may not have permission to display it. This happens when you are not logged in as an administrator. Ask the person who set up your computer to retrieve the password for you instead.

Using Command Prompt to Find the Password

Right-click the Start button and select "Windows Terminal (Admin)" or "Command Prompt (Admin)". If you see a security prompt asking for permission, click "Yes". This opens a command window with administrator rights.

Type this command exactly as shown: netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clear — but replace "NetworkName" with the actual name of your WiFi network. For example, if your network is called "Linksys", you would type: netsh wlan show profile name="Linksys" key=clear. Press Enter.

The command will display information about that network. Look for the line that says "Key Content" — the password appears right after it. If you see "Key Content : " with nothing after it, the network does not have a password, or Windows did not store one.

What to Do If the Password Does Not Appear

If you follow either method and see no password, the most common reason is that you are not logged in as an administrator. Check the title bar of the Settings window or Command Prompt — it should say "Administrator" somewhere. If it does not, close the window and try again, making sure to right-click and select the admin version.

A second reason is that Windows may not have stored the password. This happens if someone else connected to the network on your computer and did not save the connection, or if the network was connected to only once and then forgotten. In this case, you will need to ask the network owner for the password directly.

If you are trying to view a network that no longer appears in your list, it has been forgotten by Windows. You will need to reconnect to it first — your computer will ask for the password during that process, and then Windows will store it for next time.

Retrieving a Password from a Network You Are Currently Connected To

If you are already connected to the WiFi and want to see its password, the process is the same. Go to Settings, Network & Internet, WiFi, then "Manage known networks". Find the network in the list and click it. Click "Forget", then look for the eye icon next to "Network security key" and click it.

You do not have to disconnect and reconnect — Windows will show you the password even while you are using that network. After you write down the password, you can close the window. You will stay connected.

Sharing a Password You Have Found

Once you have the password, you can give it to anyone who needs to connect to that network. They do not need administrator access — they only need the password itself. They can connect from any device: a phone, tablet, laptop, or another computer.

If you want to change the password in the future, you will need to log into your router, not Windows. The router is the device that broadcasts the WiFi signal, usually a box with antennas. You access it through a web browser by typing the router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into the address bar. The router manual or a sticker on the back of the device will tell you the exact address and the login details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a WiFi password if I am not the administrator?

No. Windows only shows passwords to accounts with administrator rights. If you need the password and do not have admin access, ask the person who set up your computer or the network owner to retrieve it for you.

What if I forget my Windows password but need to see the WiFi password?

You cannot view the WiFi password without logging into Windows as an administrator. If you have forgotten your Windows password, you will need to reset it first. Contact the person who set up your computer or Microsoft support for help resetting your account.

Does viewing the password change it or affect my network?

No. Viewing a stored password does not change it, disconnect you, or affect anyone else on the network. It only shows you what Windows has already saved.

Why does the Command Prompt method show "Key Content :" with nothing after it?

This means the network either has no password, or Windows did not store the password when you connected. If you know the network should have a password, ask the network owner what it is.

Can I see passwords for networks I have never connected to?

No. Windows only stores passwords for networks your computer has actually connected to before. To see a password for a network you have never used, you will need to ask the network owner directly.