The fastest way to find your WiFi password

Windows 11 stores your WiFi password in the network settings, and you can view it in about 30 seconds without any extra software. The password is hidden by default, but Windows shows it to you if you have admin access to the computer.

The simplest method is to open Settings, go to WiFi, select your network, and choose "Manage known networks" — then click the network name and select "Show" next to the password field. This works whether you set up the network yourself or inherited it from someone else.

Key Takeaways

  • You can view your saved WiFi password through Windows 11 Settings in under a minute without downloading anything.
  • You must have admin access to the computer to see the password — standard user accounts cannot view it.
  • If you cannot remember your admin password, you will need to reset it through your Microsoft account or local account recovery.
  • The password appears in plain text once you click "Show", so check that nobody is watching your screen.
  • If Windows does not show the password field, the network was set up by another admin account that you cannot access.

Step-by-step: View your password through Settings

Open the Start menu and type "settings" — click the Settings app when it appears. Once Settings opens, select "WiFi" from the left sidebar. You will see a list of networks you have connected to before.

Find the network name (SSID) you want the password for and click on it. A new window opens showing "Manage known networks" at the top. Click that button. Windows now displays the network details, including a "Password" field that shows dots instead of the actual password.

Click the eye icon next to the password field, or click directly on the dots. Windows asks you to confirm you are the account owner — you may see a prompt asking for your PIN or password. Enter your Windows login credentials. The password now appears in plain text in that field. You can now copy it or write it down.

What to do if the password field is blank or missing

If you see the network listed but no password field appears, the network was set up by a different admin account on this computer. Windows only shows passwords to the account that created the connection. You have two options: ask the person who set up the network for the password, or forget the network and reconnect to it yourself.

To forget the network, click "Forget" on the same screen where you looked for the password. Once forgotten, Windows will ask you for the password the next time you try to connect. You can then enter it and Windows will save it under your account. If you do not know the password, you will need to reset it on your router or contact your internet provider.

Finding the password if you do not have admin access

If you are using a standard user account (not an admin account), Windows will not show you the password. The system protects saved passwords so that only the account owner or an admin can view them. You will need to ask an admin on this computer to show you the password, or to create a new connection under your account.

If you are the only person who uses this computer but you do not have admin access, you may have accidentally set it up as a standard account. You can check by opening Settings, going to "Accounts", and looking at your account type. If it says "Standard user", you will need to convert it to an admin account — this requires knowing the password for an existing admin account on the computer.

Using Command Prompt if Settings does not work

If the Settings method does not work or you prefer a text-based approach, you can use Command Prompt to view the password. Right-click the Start menu, select "Terminal (Admin)" or "Command Prompt (Admin)", and confirm the prompt that appears. You must run it as admin or the command will fail.

Type this command and press Enter: netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clear — replace "NetworkName" with the exact name of your WiFi network. Windows displays detailed information about that network, including a line labeled "Key Content" that shows your password in plain text.

If you are not sure of the exact network name, type netsh wlan show profile first (with no network name). Windows lists all saved networks. Then run the first command again with the correct name. Network names are case-sensitive in this command, so copy the name exactly as it appears in the list.

Resetting your password if you forgot your Windows login

If you cannot remember your Windows password and therefore cannot view the WiFi password, you will need to reset your Windows account first. On the Windows login screen, click "I forgot my password" below the password field. Windows walks you through recovery using your Microsoft account email or a recovery code you set up previously.

If you set up Windows with a local account (not a Microsoft account) and you do not have a recovery code, you will need to reset Windows entirely. This erases all files on the computer. Before doing this, try asking another admin on the computer to show you the WiFi password, or contact your internet provider to reset the router password instead.

Getting the password from your router if Windows cannot help

If you cannot access the Windows password or the network was set up on a different device, you can reset the WiFi password directly on your router. Every router has a label on the back or bottom showing the default login address (usually something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Open a web browser, type that address in the address bar, and log in using the username and password printed on the router label.

Once logged in, look for a section called "WiFi", "Wireless", or "Network Settings". You can view the current password there, or change it to something new. After you change the password, all devices will disconnect and you will need to reconnect using the new password. Write down the new password somewhere safe before you close the router settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the password if I am not connected to the network?

Yes. Windows stores passwords for all networks you have connected to before, even if you are not currently connected. Open Settings, go to WiFi, and select "Manage known networks" to see the list of saved networks. You can view the password for any of them.

Why does Windows show dots instead of the actual password?

Windows hides passwords by default as a security measure. If someone is watching your screen, they cannot see the actual characters. Click the eye icon to temporarily show the password in plain text. The password returns to dots once you close the window.

What if the network name has special characters or spaces?

In Command Prompt, put the network name in quotation marks if it contains spaces or special characters. For example: netsh wlan show profile name="My WiFi Network" key=clear. If the name contains quotation marks, you may need to escape them — contact your router manufacturer for help.

Can I view passwords for networks I am not connected to?

Only for networks your computer has connected to before. Windows only saves passwords for networks you have actually used. If you have never connected to a network, Windows has no password to show you.

Is it safe to write down my WiFi password?

Yes, but store it somewhere find where only people who should have access can find it. Do not email it, text it, or share it in messages. If you are concerned about security, you can change the password on your router at any time.