View Your Saved WiFi Password Through Network Settings

Windows 10 stores the password for every WiFi network you have ever connected to. You can see any of these passwords in about two minutes without special software. The fastest route is through Settings, where Windows keeps a record of all your saved networks and their passwords.

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then click the Settings app. Go to Network & Internet, then select WiFi from the left menu. Scroll down and click Manage known networks. You will see a list of every network your computer has connected to before. Click the network whose password you need, then click Forget. This removes it from your saved list temporarily — do not worry, you will reconnect in the next step.

Now click the WiFi icon in your taskbar (bottom right corner) and select that same network from the list. Windows will ask you to enter the password. Type it in, check the box that says Connect automatically, and click Next. Your computer is now reconnected and the password is saved again. The password you just typed is the one you were looking for.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 stores WiFi passwords in Network Settings under Manage known networks, but does not display them directly — you must disconnect and reconnect to see what you type.
  • The Settings method works only for networks your computer has connected to before; it will not show you a neighbor's password or a network you have never joined.
  • If you cannot remember the password at all, you will need to reset it on your router or contact whoever set up the network.
  • Command Prompt can display saved passwords without reconnecting, but requires typing a specific command for each network.

Use Command Prompt to View the Password Without Reconnecting

If you do not want to disconnect and reconnect, Command Prompt can show you the password directly. This method is faster if you know the exact name of your network. Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin). If you see a security prompt, click Yes.

Type this command exactly as written, replacing "NetworkName" with the actual name of your WiFi network: netsh wlan show profile name=NetworkName key=clear. Press Enter. Windows will display detailed information about that network. Scroll down until you see a line that says Key Content — the password is the string of characters next to it.

If the command does not work, you may have typed the network name incorrectly. To see a list of all saved networks, type netsh wlan show profile and press Enter. Find your network in the list, then run the first command again with the exact spelling and capitalization.

What to Do If You Cannot Find Your Network in the List

If your network does not appear in either Settings or Command Prompt, your computer has never connected to it before. Windows only stores passwords for networks it has already joined. In this case, you will need to get the password from whoever manages the router — usually the person who set up the WiFi or the building owner.

If the network is yours and you have forgotten the password, you will need to reset your router. Most routers have a small reset button on the back that you hold for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all settings and returns the router to factory defaults, so you will need to set up the network again from scratch. Check your router's manual or the label on the back for the default network name and password to use when you reconnect.

Troubleshooting When Commands Do Not Work

If Command Prompt says "The system cannot find the file specified" or shows no results, the most common cause is a typo in the network name. Network names are case-sensitive in the command, so "MyNetwork" is different from "mynetwork". Copy the exact name from the list shown by netsh wlan show profile and paste it into your command.

If you are using a guest network or a network that requires a login page (called a captive portal), Windows may not store the password in the usual way. These networks often do not save passwords at all. You will need to contact the network owner or check any confirmation email they sent you when you first connected.

If you are still seeing no results after checking the spelling, restart Command Prompt and try again. Close the window completely and open a new one as Administrator. Sometimes the command needs a fresh start to work properly.

Why Windows Stores Your WiFi Passwords

Windows saves WiFi passwords so you do not have to type them every time you reconnect to the same network. When your computer wakes from sleep or moves back into range of a network it has joined before, it logs in automatically using the stored password. This is convenient for your own networks but also means Windows keeps a record of every password you have ever entered on that computer.

If you share a computer with other people, anyone with access to Settings or Command Prompt can see the passwords for networks you have connected to. If this concerns you, you can remove a network from the saved list by going to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage known networks, clicking the network, and selecting Forget. The next time you connect, you will have to enter the password again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a WiFi password if I have never connected to that network before?

No. Windows only stores passwords for networks your computer has already joined. If you need the password for a network you have never connected to, you will need to ask the person who manages the router or check any setup documents they gave you.

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

No. Viewing the password does nothing to the network or your connection. You are only reading information that Windows already has stored. The password remains the same until someone changes it on the router itself.

What if I see a password in Command Prompt but it does not work when I try to connect?

The password may have been changed since your computer last connected. Ask the network owner if they have updated it recently. If you are trying to connect from a different device, that device will not have the password stored — you will need to get it from the network owner.

Can I view passwords for networks on other computers?

No. Passwords are stored locally on each computer. You cannot see passwords from another person's computer unless you have their login credentials and physical access to their machine. Each Windows account on the same computer can also have different saved networks.

Is it safe to share the password I found with other people?

That depends on whose network it is. If it is your own network, you can share the password with anyone you want to give access to. If it is someone else's network, you should ask them first before sharing the password with others.