The fastest way: Settings menu

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then select the Settings app. Go to Network & Internet, then WiFi on the left side. Under "Manage known networks", click the network name you want the password for, then select Manage.

On the next screen, scroll down and check the box next to Show under the password field. Your password will appear in plain text. This method works if you are already connected to the network — Windows stores the password once you have joined. The entire process takes about 30 seconds and requires no special knowledge of your computer's settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 stores WiFi passwords in Settings under Network & Internet, and you can view them by checking the "Show" box next to the password field.
  • If you are not connected to the network, use Command Prompt with the command netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear to see saved passwords.
  • The Settings method only works for networks you have already joined; Command Prompt can show passwords for any network your computer has connected to before.
  • You need administrator rights on your computer to view saved WiFi passwords through either method.

Using Command Prompt for networks you have joined before

If you are not currently connected to the network, or if the Settings method does not show the password, use Command Prompt. Right-click the Windows Start button and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin). If prompted, click Yes to allow administrator access.

Type this command exactly, replacing "YourNetworkName" with the actual name of your WiFi network:

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

Press Enter. Scroll through the results until you find the line that says Key Content — that is your password. This method works for any network your computer has connected to in the past, even if you are not currently on it. The command pulls the password directly from Windows' stored network profiles, which is why it works offline.

What to do if you cannot see the password

If the password field is blank or grayed out in Settings, your computer may not have permission to display it. Close Settings completely and try again, making sure you are logged in with an administrator account. If you still see nothing, the network may have been set up by a different user account on the same computer.

Switch to that account if you can, or ask the person who set up the network. If neither is possible, the Command Prompt method is your only option — and it will only work if that account has connected to the network at least once before. Each user account on Windows maintains its own list of saved networks, so passwords stored under one account are not visible to another.

Viewing all saved networks at once

To see a list of every network your computer has ever connected to, open Command Prompt as admin and type:

netsh wlan show profiles

This shows the name of every saved network. You can then use the full command from the earlier section to pull the password for any one of them. This is useful if you have forgotten which networks you have joined, or if you want to check whether your computer has a saved password for a particular network before trying the Settings method. The list will include networks from months or years ago if your computer has never forgotten them.

Why Windows stores these passwords

Windows saves WiFi passwords so you do not have to type them in every time you reconnect to a network. This is convenient, but it also means anyone with administrator access to your computer can see all your passwords. If you share your computer with others and want to prevent them from viewing your WiFi password, you will need to remove the saved network and reconnect with a different account, or change the password on your router itself.

Removing a saved network is straightforward: go to Settings, Network & Internet, WiFi, then Manage known networks. Click the network you want to forget and select Forget. The next time you connect, you will have to enter the password again. This does not change the actual WiFi password — it only removes it from your computer's memory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password if I forgot it?

Yes, if your computer has connected to that network before. Use the Command Prompt method to retrieve it from your computer's saved networks. If your computer has never connected to the network, you will need to check your router settings or contact your internet provider.

What if Command Prompt says "No profiles found"?

This means your computer has not saved any WiFi networks yet, or you typed the network name incorrectly. Double-check the spelling of your network name — it is case-sensitive in the command. If the network name is correct and you still get this message, your computer has never connected to that network.

Do I need to be connected to the network to see its password?

No. Both the Settings method and Command Prompt can show passwords for networks your computer has joined before, even if you are not currently connected. You only need to be connected if you want to use the Settings menu and the network appears in your "Manage known networks" list.

Is it safe to share my WiFi password this way?

Yes, sharing your password with someone who needs to connect is safe. The password itself is just a string of characters — knowing it does not give anyone access to your computer or files, only to your internet connection. If you want to revoke access later, change the password on your router.