Where Windows 10 Stores Your WiFi Password

Windows 10 keeps your WiFi password in a find location called the Credential Manager, but you can retrieve it through the network settings without needing to reset your router. The password is tied to your user account on that specific computer — if someone else uses your PC, they cannot see your saved passwords.

The easiest method uses the WiFi settings panel, which shows you the password in plain text in about 30 seconds. A second method digs into Credential Manager directly if the first one does not work or if you need passwords for networks you are no longer connected to.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then WiFi, and select "Manage known networks" to see all passwords you have saved on this computer.
  • Click the network name, then "Properties", then toggle "Show" next to the password field to reveal it in plain text.
  • If that method does not work, open Credential Manager from the Control Panel and look under "Windows Credentials" for entries labeled with your network name.
  • You must be logged into your Windows account to view saved passwords — Windows does not let you see them from the login screen.
  • This method only works for networks you have already connected to on this computer; it cannot recover a password you never saved.

Retrieve Your Password Through WiFi Settings

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click "Network & Internet" in the left sidebar.

On the left side, click "WiFi". On the right side, scroll down and click "Manage known networks". You will see a list of every network your computer has connected to. Find the network name (SSID) you need the password for and click it.

Click "Properties". Scroll down to the "Security type" section. You will see a field labeled "Network security key" with dots or asterisks hiding the password. Click the toggle button next to "Show" to reveal the actual password in plain text. Write it down or copy it before you close this window.

Use Credential Manager If Settings Does Not Show the Password

Some older networks or corporate WiFi setups do not display the password through Settings. In that case, Credential Manager holds the information instead. Press the Windows key and type "Credential Manager", then press Enter.

Click "Windows Credentials" in the left sidebar. Look through the list for entries that start with "WIFI-" or contain your network name. Click the arrow next to the entry to expand it. Click "Show" next to the password field to reveal it.

If you see "WIFI2-" entries, those are older saved passwords from previous connections to the same network. Windows keeps these in case you need to reconnect to an older version of the same network name.

What to Do If You Cannot Find the Password

If the password does not appear in either location, your computer has never saved it. This happens if someone else set up the WiFi connection on your account, or if you connected using a method that does not store the password (like a QR code on some routers).

Your only option is to reset the router itself. Most routers have a small reset button on the back that you hold for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. This erases all settings and returns the router to its factory default password, which is usually printed on a sticker on the router itself or in the manual that came with it. After reset, you will need to set up the WiFi network again from scratch.

If the router belongs to someone else or to your internet provider, contact them before resetting it — they may have custom settings you do not want to lose.

Passwords for Networks You Are No Longer Connected To

Windows keeps passwords for networks you have disconnected from, so you can still view them through Credential Manager even if you are not currently on that WiFi. Open Credential Manager as described above, find the network name in the Windows Credentials list, and click "Show" to reveal the password.

If you want to remove a saved network so Windows forgets the password, go back to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage known networks, click the network name, and click "Forget". Windows will delete the password and you will need to enter it again the next time you connect to that network.

Why Windows Hides Your Password by Default

The password is hidden to prevent someone from looking over your shoulder and stealing it. If you are in a shared workspace or use a public computer, be careful when you reveal your password — anyone nearby can see it on your screen.

If you are worried someone else on your computer has seen your password, change it on your router. Log into your router's admin panel (usually by typing the router's IP address into a web browser — check the router's manual for the address), find the WiFi password setting, and create a new one. Windows will ask you to re-enter the new password the next time you connect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see WiFi passwords saved on someone else's Windows account?

No. Each Windows user account has its own separate password storage. You can only view passwords saved under the account you are currently logged into. If you need a password from another account, you must log into that account yourself.

What if the password field is blank or says "not available"?

This usually means the network uses a special security type that Windows does not display in plain text, such as enterprise WiFi with a certificate. Contact your network administrator for the password. You can also try the Credential Manager method, which sometimes shows passwords that Settings does not.

Does revealing my password in Settings put my computer at risk?

No. Viewing your own saved password on your own computer is safe. The risk is only if someone else sees it on your screen. Keep your monitor angled away from others when you reveal it, and do not take screenshots of it.

Will resetting my router erase my other devices' WiFi connections?

Yes. When you reset the router, all devices lose their saved connection to that network. You will need to reconnect each phone, tablet, laptop, and smart home device by entering the new password after the reset is complete.

Can I change my WiFi password without resetting the router?

Yes. Log into your router's admin panel through a web browser, find the WiFi settings, and change the password there. You do not need to reset the router. After you change it, Windows will ask you to enter the new password the next time you try to connect.