The fastest way: View the password through network settings

Windows 10 stores your WiFi password and can show it to you without resetting the network. Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select it. Go to Network & Internet, then WiFi on the left side.

Click Manage known networks, then select the network whose password you need. Click Properties. Scroll down to the Security section and toggle the switch next to Show password to reveal it in plain text.

This method works only if you are currently connected to that network or have connected before. If you see the network listed but cannot click it, you may not have permission to view that network's details — this happens on shared computers where another user set up the connection.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 can display any WiFi password you have previously connected to through Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage known networks.
  • If you cannot see the password field, you may not have administrator rights on that computer, or another user set up the connection.
  • Command Prompt can retrieve passwords for networks you cannot access through Settings, using the command netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clear.
  • If you have never connected to a network before, Windows cannot show you its password — you will need to contact the network owner or check the router itself.

Using Command Prompt if Settings does not show the password

If the password field is grayed out or missing in Settings, you may not have the right permissions. Command Prompt can sometimes retrieve it. Press the Windows key, type "Command Prompt," right-click it, and select Run as administrator.

Type this command exactly, replacing "NetworkName" with the actual name of your network: netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clear. Press Enter. Look for the line labeled Key Content — that is your password.

This method only works for networks you have connected to before. If the command returns an error saying the profile does not exist, the network name may have spaces or special characters — put the entire name in quotation marks and try again.

Finding the password on the router if Windows cannot show it

If you have never connected to the network before, or if Windows will not display the password, you can find it on the router itself. Most home routers have a sticker on the back or bottom with the network name and password printed on it. Look for text labeled "WiFi Password," "Network Key," or "PSK."

If the sticker is missing or unreadable, you can log into the router through a web browser. Open any browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. You will be asked for a username and password — these are usually "admin" and "admin," or "admin" and the password on the router's sticker.

Once logged in, look for a section called WiFi Settings, Wireless, or Network. The password field is often labeled Pre-Shared Key or Passphrase. Different router brands arrange these pages differently, so you may need to explore the menu.

What to do if you forgot the password and cannot find it anywhere

If the password is not on the router sticker, not in Windows, and you cannot log into the router, you can reset the router to its factory defaults. Most routers have a small reset button on the back that you hold down for 10 to 15 seconds with a paperclip or pen. This erases all settings and returns the router to the password printed on its sticker.

Resetting the router will disconnect all devices currently using it, and you will need to reconnect them with the default password. If other people use this network, tell them before you reset it. After reset, you can log into the router and create a new password of your choice.

If you are renting and the router belongs to your internet provider, contact them before resetting — they may have set a custom password and can provide it or reset it for you remotely.

Why Windows sometimes will not show the password

Windows hides the password field if you do not have administrator rights on the computer. If you are using a work or school computer, or a shared family computer where someone else is the administrator, you may not be able to view saved passwords. Ask the person with administrator access to show you the password, or have them change it to something you choose.

On your own computer, you can take administrator rights back. Right-click Command Prompt, select Run as administrator, and type net user administrator /active:yes. Restart the computer and log in as Administrator, then you can view any saved password.

Viewing passwords for networks you are not currently connected to

Windows keeps a list of every network you have ever connected to, even if you are not near it now. In Settings, go to Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage known networks and you will see all of them. Click any network in that list and select Properties to view its password, as long as you have administrator rights.

This is useful if you are moving to a new place and want to know the password for a network you connected to months ago, or if you need to share a password with someone else. The password shown is exactly what you entered when you first connected, so if you changed it on the router since then, Windows will still show the old one.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Windows only stores passwords for networks you have previously connected to. If you need the password for a network you have never used, you must find it on the router itself or contact the network owner.

What if the password field is blank or says "Can't display"?

This usually means you do not have administrator rights on the computer. Try running Command Prompt as administrator and using the netsh wlan show profile command. If that also fails, ask the computer's administrator to show you the password or give you admin rights.

Will viewing the password change it or affect the network?

No. Viewing a saved password in Windows does not change it, disconnect anyone, or affect the network in any way. You are only reading what Windows has stored.

Can I see passwords for networks set up by other users on this computer?

Only if you have administrator rights. Each user account on Windows stores its own network passwords separately. If another user set up a network connection, you cannot see their password unless you log in as them or have admin access to the computer.

What happens if I reset the router to factory settings?

The router returns to its default password, which is printed on the sticker. All custom settings are erased, and every device will be disconnected. You will need to reconnect each device using the default password, then log into the router and create a new password if you want one.