The fastest way: Settings on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings (press Windows key + I), then go to Network & Internet on the left sidebar. Click WiFi, then select Manage known networks. Find the network name you want the password for and click it. Select Forget, then go back and reconnect to that network — Windows will ask you to enter the password again, and you'll see it as you type if you click the eye icon.

If you want to see the password without forgetting and reconnecting, this method doesn't work. You'll need one of the other approaches below instead.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings method works on Windows 10 and 11 but requires you to forget the network and reconnect to see the password.
  • Command Prompt can show saved WiFi passwords without disconnecting, but you need to open it as Administrator.
  • The router's admin panel holds the password and lets you change it, but you need the router's IP address and login credentials.
  • If you've never set a custom password, check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router for the default one.

Using Command Prompt to view the password without reconnecting

Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) on Windows 11, or search for Command Prompt, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator on Windows 10. Type this command exactly and press Enter:

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

Replace "YourNetworkName" with the actual name of your WiFi network. Look for the line that says Key Content — that's your password. The password appears in plain text, so make sure nobody is looking over your shoulder.

If the command returns an error saying the profile doesn't exist, you may have typed the network name wrong. Check the exact spelling by running netsh wlan show profiles first to see a list of all saved networks.

Finding the password through your router's admin panel

Your router stores the WiFi password and lets you change it anytime. Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar — one of these is usually your router's address. If neither works, right-click the WiFi icon in your system tray, select Open Network & Internet settings, scroll down to Advanced network options, then More network adapter options. Double-click your active connection, click Details, and look for the IPv4 Default Gateway — that's your router's address.

Once you reach the router login page, enter the username and password. Most routers use admin for both, but check the sticker on your router first — it usually lists the default login. After you log in, look for a section called Wireless, WiFi, or Security. The password is usually labeled Passphrase, Pre-Shared Key, or Network Key.

Checking the router sticker if you never changed the password

Most routers come with a default WiFi password printed on a sticker attached to the back or bottom of the device. Look for a label that says WiFi Password, Network Key, or Passphrase. If the sticker is still there and you've never changed the password since setting up the router, this is your WiFi password.

If you've changed the password since then, the sticker won't help — you'll need to use the Command Prompt method or the router admin panel instead. If the sticker is missing or worn away, the router admin panel is your best option.

What to do if you don't remember the router password

If you can't log into the router admin panel because you've forgotten the password, you can reset the router to factory defaults. Most routers have a small Reset button on the back that you hold down for 10 to 15 seconds with a paperclip or pen. This erases all your settings, including the WiFi password, and restores the default password from the sticker.

After a reset, you'll need to set up your WiFi again from scratch. You can do this through the router admin panel or through the router's setup app if it has one. This is a last resort — only do it if you truly cannot access the router any other way.

Differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11

Windows 11 uses Terminal instead of the older Command Prompt, but the command itself works the same way in both. The Settings path is nearly identical: both have Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage known networks. If you're on Windows 10 and don't see Terminal, use Command Prompt instead — search for it in the Start menu and run it as Administrator.

The router admin panel method works exactly the same on both versions. The only real difference is the name of the terminal process you use to run the netsh command.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I see the password in Settings even though I'm connected?

Windows Settings doesn't show saved passwords directly — you have to forget the network and reconnect to see it. If you want to view it without disconnecting, use the Command Prompt method instead. Make sure you run Command Prompt as Administrator, or the command won't work.

The Command Prompt command didn't work. What went wrong?

The most common mistake is typing the network name wrong. Run netsh wlan show profiles first to see the exact spelling of your network, then use that exact name in the key=clear command. Also make sure Command Prompt is running as Administrator — if it's not, you'll get a permission error.

Can I see passwords for networks I'm not currently connected to?

Yes. The Command Prompt method shows any WiFi password for a network your computer has ever connected to and saved. You don't have to be connected to it right now. This works for networks you connected to months or years ago, as long as you didn't delete the saved profile.

Is it safe to view my WiFi password this way?

Yes, viewing your own password on your own computer is safe. The Command Prompt method only works if you're logged into your Windows account, so other users on the computer can't see it without their own admin access. Never share your password with people you don't trust.

What if I want to change my WiFi password instead of just viewing it?

Log into your router admin panel using the method described above, find the WiFi or Wireless section, and look for an option to change the password or passphrase. After you save the change, you'll need to reconnect all your devices using the new password. Write down the new password somewhere safe before you forget it.