Where Windows 10 Stores Your WiFi Password

Windows 10 keeps the password for any network you have connected to before in a protected file on your computer. You can retrieve it without resetting your router or calling your internet provider. The password is encrypted and hidden from casual view, but Windows gives you a straightforward way to see it if you have administrator access to the computer.

The method takes about two minutes and requires you to open your network settings and view the properties of the network you are connected to. You will need to know the name of your WiFi network (called the SSID) — this is the name that appears when you look at available networks on your computer or phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 stores WiFi passwords in your network settings, and you can view any password for a network you have previously connected to.
  • You must have administrator access to your Windows 10 account to see the password — a standard user account cannot retrieve it.
  • The fastest method uses the Settings app and takes about two minutes with no additional software needed.
  • If you cannot remember your network name, you can find it by looking at your available networks list or checking your router's label.

Retrieve Your Password Through Windows Settings

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the Settings icon. Once Settings opens, click "Network & Internet" in the left menu, then select "WiFi" from the options that appear.

Scroll down and click "Manage known networks" — this shows every network your computer has connected to before. Find the network name you need the password for and click on it. A window will open showing the network properties. Click "Security" at the top of that window, then check the box next to "Show characters". The password will now appear in plain text in the field labeled "Network security key".

Using Command Prompt If Settings Does Not Work

If you cannot find the network in your known networks list, or if the Settings method does not show the password field, you can use Command Prompt instead. Right-click the Start menu, select "Windows Terminal (Admin)" or "Command Prompt (Admin)", and click "Yes" when Windows asks for permission.

Type this command exactly: netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear — but replace "YourNetworkName" with the actual name of your WiFi network. Press Enter. The password will appear next to "Key Content" in the results. If you see an error message, check that you spelled the network name correctly, including capital letters and spaces.

What to Do If You Cannot See the Password

If Windows shows the network but no password field appears, the network may have been set up without a password, or your account does not have the permissions needed to view it. Check with whoever set up the network or the person who owns the router.

If you are the administrator but still cannot see it, restart your computer and try again. Sometimes Windows requires a restart after a network change before it will display the password. If the network no longer appears in your known networks list, your computer has forgotten it — you will need to reconnect to the network and enter the password manually, or contact your internet provider or router manufacturer for the default password.

Finding Your Network Name If You Do Not Know It

If you are not sure which network name to look for, click the WiFi icon in your system tray (bottom right corner of your screen). A list of available networks will appear — your network is the one with the strongest signal and the one you are currently connected to (it will have a checkmark next to it).

You can also find the network name printed on a label attached to your router itself. Look for a sticker on the bottom or back of the device — it usually shows the network name and sometimes the password as well. If you have changed the network name since you first set up the router, the label will show the original name, not your current one.

Recovering a Password You Have Never Connected From

If you need the password for a network your Windows 10 computer has never connected to, Windows cannot retrieve it for you. You will need to contact the person who set up that network, check the router itself for a label with the default password, or reset the router to its factory settings (which erases all custom settings).

If it is your own router and you have forgotten the password, look for a small reset button on the back or bottom of the device. Holding it for 10 to 15 seconds will reset the router to factory defaults, and you can then use the default password printed on the label. This will erase any custom settings you made, so only do this if you are certain you want to start over.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be connected to the WiFi to see the password?

No. Windows stores the password for any network you have connected to before, whether you are currently connected or not. You can view the password of a network you connected to weeks or months ago, even if you are not using it right now.

Can a standard user account see the password?

No. Only an account with administrator rights can view saved WiFi passwords. If you are using a standard account, ask the computer's administrator to retrieve the password for you, or contact your network owner.

What if the command prompt shows an error about the network not being found?

Check that you spelled the network name exactly as it appears in your available networks list, including spaces and capital letters. If the network no longer appears in your known networks list, Windows has forgotten it and you will need to reconnect manually or contact your router's manufacturer for the default password.

Is it safe to share my WiFi password with others?

That is your choice. Sharing a password lets someone connect to your network, which means they can use your internet and potentially access shared files on your computer if you have file sharing turned on. Only share with people you trust.