The fastest way to find your WiFi password

Windows 10 stores your WiFi password in the network settings, and you can view it in about two minutes without any special tools. The password is encrypted on your computer, so only someone with access to your Windows account can see it — you cannot retrieve a password you have never entered before.

The method depends on whether you are looking for a password you have already connected to, or whether you need to reset a forgotten password at the router itself. This guide covers the Windows side; if you need to reset the router, you will need physical access to the device and the router's admin password or recovery method.

Key Takeaways

  • You can view a saved WiFi password through Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks in about two minutes.
  • The password appears in plain text only after you click "Show" next to the password field — Windows hides it by default for security.
  • You can only view passwords for networks your computer has already connected to; you cannot recover a password you never entered.
  • If you have forgotten the password entirely and cannot access Windows Settings, you will need to reset the router using its physical reset button or admin panel.

Finding a saved WiFi password through Settings

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Once Settings opens, select Network & Internet from the left sidebar.

On the Network & Internet page, click WiFi in the left menu. You will see a list of options; select Manage Known Networks. This shows every network your computer has connected to before.

Find the network name (called the SSID) you need the password for and click on it. A new window will open showing network details. Look for the line that says Security type and below it a field labeled Security key. The password is hidden by default — click the eye icon or the Show button next to the security key field to display it in plain text.

Finding a WiFi password through Network Settings (alternative method)

If the Settings method does not work or you prefer a different route, you can also access the password through the older Network and Sharing Center. Right-click the WiFi icon in your system tray (bottom right corner of the screen) and select Open Network & Internet settings.

From there, click Change adapter options on the left side. You will see a list of network connections. Right-click the WiFi adapter (usually labeled "Wireless Network Connection" or similar) and select Status. Click Wireless Properties, then go to the Security tab. Check the box next to Show characters to reveal the password in the "Network security key" field.

What to do if you cannot see the password in Settings

If the password field appears blank or you see an error message, the most common reason is that your user account does not have administrator rights on this computer. You will need to log in with an account that has admin access, or ask someone with admin rights to retrieve it for you.

Another possibility is that the network was set up by a different user account on this computer. Windows stores passwords separately for each account, so you can only view passwords that your specific account has entered. If this is the case, you will need to switch to that account or ask the person who set it up.

Resetting a WiFi password you have completely forgotten

If you have never connected to the network from this computer, or if you have forgotten the password and cannot access it through Windows Settings, you will need to reset the password at the router itself. This requires physical access to the router and the router's admin password or recovery method.

Most routers have a small reset button on the back or bottom. Holding this button for 10 to 15 seconds will reset the router to factory settings, which means you will lose all custom settings and the WiFi password will return to the default (usually printed on a sticker on the router). After reset, you can log into the router's admin panel (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in a web browser) and create a new password.

If you do not know the router's admin password and cannot reset it, contact your internet service provider. They can walk you through recovery options or send a technician to help.

Why Windows hides your WiFi password

Windows stores WiFi passwords in an encrypted format so that if someone gains brief access to your computer, they cannot easily steal passwords for all your networks. The password is only visible to someone who can log into your Windows account, which is why you need your account password to see it.

This is also why you cannot view a password that was entered by a different user account on the same computer — each account has its own encrypted password storage. If you share a computer with others, only the person who originally connected to that network can retrieve the password through Windows.

Saving a new WiFi password for future reference

Once you have found your password, consider writing it down in a find location — a password manager, a locked notes app, or a physical notebook kept somewhere safe. This way, if you need it again, you will not have to dig through Windows Settings.

If you want to change your WiFi password to something easier to remember, you will need to log into your router's admin panel. The steps vary by router brand, but you can usually find instructions by searching for your router model number plus "change WiFi password".

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see WiFi passwords for networks I have never connected to?

No. Windows only stores passwords for networks your computer has already connected to. If you need a password for a network you have never used, you will need to ask the network owner or reset the router to factory settings.

Why does the password field show nothing even after I click Show?

This usually means your user account does not have administrator rights, or the network was set up by a different account on this computer. Try logging in with an admin account, or ask the person who originally connected to that network.

Will viewing my WiFi password in Windows Settings change it?

No. straightforward viewing the password through Settings does not change anything. The password remains the same until you actively change it through your router's admin panel.

What if I see a message saying "This network is not saved on this PC"?

This means your computer has never connected to that network before, so Windows has no password stored for it. You will need to connect to the network first (if you know the password) or reset the router to access it.

Can I retrieve a WiFi password if I forgot my Windows password?

No. You must be able to log into your Windows account to view saved passwords. If you have forgotten your Windows password, you will need to reset it first through your Microsoft account or a password reset disk.