The fastest way to see your WiFi password

Windows 10 stores your WiFi password in the network settings, and you can view it in about 30 seconds without any extra software. The password appears in plain text once you open the right menu — you do not need administrator access or special tools.

The method works whether you set up the network yourself or connected to someone else's WiFi months ago. Windows keeps the password saved so your computer reconnects automatically, and that same storage is where you retrieve it.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click the WiFi icon in your system tray, select "Open Network & Internet settings", then click "WiFi" to see all saved networks.
  • Click the network name you want, then "Manage known networks", find your network, and click "Forget" — this removes it from your saved list temporarily.
  • Reconnect to the network when ready, and Windows will prompt you to re-enter the password, which you can then see in plain text as you type.
  • If you cannot see the password field clearly, use the eye icon next to the password box to reveal the characters instead of dots.
  • This method works only for networks your computer has already connected to; you cannot view passwords for networks you have never joined.

Step-by-step: viewing your password through network settings

Start by right-clicking the WiFi icon in the bottom right corner of your screen, next to the clock. A small menu appears. Click "Open Network & Internet settings" — this opens the Settings app to the network page.

On the left side of the window, click "WiFi". The main panel now shows your current network name and a list of options below it. Look for "Manage known networks" and click it. You will see every network your computer has ever connected to, listed by name.

Find the network whose password you need. Click on it once to select it. A "Forget" button appears below the network name. Click "Forget". Windows removes this network from your saved list — your computer will no longer auto-connect to it.

Now reconnect to that same network. Click the WiFi icon again, find the network name in the list, and click "Connect". Windows asks you to enter the password. Type it in (or paste it if you have it written down), and as you type, the characters appear as dots. Look for a small eye icon to the right of the password field and click it — the dots change to readable letters, and you can now see the actual password.

Why this method works and what it shows you

When you connect to a WiFi network, Windows stores the password in encrypted form on your hard drive. The Settings app cannot display saved passwords directly — this is a security feature to prevent someone at your computer from casually reading all your passwords. However, when you reconnect and re-enter the password, Windows shows it to you in real time because you are actively typing it in.

The eye icon is the simplest way to see the password without writing it down character by character. Some people find it easier to take a screenshot at this moment, or to have a second device ready to type the password into before they forget it.

Alternative: using Command Prompt if you remember the network name

If you prefer not to disconnect and reconnect, you can retrieve the password using Command Prompt, though the process is slightly longer. This method works if you remember the exact name of the network (the SSID).

Press the Windows key and type "Command Prompt". Right-click "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator". A black window opens. Type this command exactly as shown: netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear — but replace "YourNetworkName" with the actual name of your WiFi network.

Press Enter. A detailed list appears. Scroll down until you see "Key Content" — the text next to it is your password in plain text. This method does not require you to forget the network or reconnect, but it does require you to know the network name and to open Command Prompt as an administrator.

What to do if you cannot see the password

If you reconnect to the network and the password field does not appear, your computer may already be connected. Disconnect first by clicking the WiFi icon, finding the network name, and clicking "Disconnect". Wait a few seconds, then follow the reconnection steps again.

If the eye icon does not appear next to the password field, your version of Windows 10 may be older. Update Windows by pressing the Windows key, typing "Check for updates", and clicking "Check for updates". Restart your computer after the update completes, then try again.

If you see the password field but the characters remain hidden even after clicking the eye icon, try typing the password into a text editor (like Notepad) first to see what you are typing, then copy it into the WiFi field. This is slower but works when the reveal function does not respond.

Passwords for networks you have never connected to

Windows can only show you passwords for networks your computer has already joined. If you want the password for a network you see in the list but have never connected to, you cannot retrieve it this way — you would need to ask the network owner for the password directly.

If you are trying to find the password for your own home network and you set it up years ago, the method in this guide will work. If someone else set up your home network and you never wrote down the password, you may need to reset the router to factory settings and create a new password, or contact whoever originally configured it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see passwords for networks I am not currently connected to?

Yes, as long as your computer has connected to that network before. Use the "Manage known networks" menu to see all saved networks, not just the one you are currently using. The forget-and-reconnect method works for any of them.

Will disconnecting and reconnecting affect my internet?

Your connection will drop for a few seconds while you disconnect, then reconnect when you re-enter the password. If you are downloading or streaming, pause first. The process takes less than a minute total.

Is it safe to use the eye icon to reveal my password?

Yes, the eye icon is a standard Windows feature. It straightforward shows the characters you are typing instead of hiding them as dots. Use it only when you are alone at your computer and no one can see your screen.

What if I forget the password before I write it down?

Disconnect from the network and repeat the process. You can view the password as many times as you need by reconnecting and using the eye icon again. There is no limit to how many times you can do this.

Does this work for hidden networks?

Yes. Hidden networks (ones that do not broadcast their name) are stored the same way as visible ones. If your computer has connected to a hidden network before, you can retrieve its password using either the forget-and-reconnect method or the Command Prompt method.