The fastest way: check your router settings

Your WiFi password is stored on your router, and Windows 10 can show it to you if you have admin access to that router. The quickest path is to open a web browser, type your router's IP address into the address bar, and log in with your router's admin credentials — usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device.

Once you are logged in, look for a section labeled "Wireless", "WiFi", "Security", or "Network Settings" — the exact name depends on your router brand. Inside that section you will find a field labeled "Password", "Pre-Shared Key", or "Passphrase". That is your WiFi password. Write it down or take a screenshot before you close the browser.

If you do not know your router's IP address, it is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. If neither works, restart your router, wait two minutes, and try again. If you have lost the admin password to your router itself, you will need to factory reset it — a small button on the device that you hold for 10 to 15 seconds — which erases all settings and returns it to the default password printed on the sticker.

Key Takeaways

  • Your WiFi password lives on your router, not in Windows, so you must log into the router's settings page to see it.
  • The router's IP address is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, and the admin password is printed on a sticker on the device.
  • Windows 10 can show you a saved password only if you are logged into the computer with the same account that connected to that network originally.
  • If you cannot remember the router's admin password, factory resetting the device is the only way forward, and it will erase all your settings.

Viewing a saved password through Windows 10 settings

If you have already connected to the WiFi network on this computer, Windows 10 stores the password in an encrypted form. You can view it without touching the router, but only if you are logged into Windows with the same user account that originally connected to that network.

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then select "Network & Internet". Click "WiFi" in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click "Manage known networks". Find the network name you want the password for and click it. Select "Properties", and look for a field labeled "Security key". The password will not appear by default — you must click the eye icon next to "Security key" to reveal it.

If you do not see an eye icon, or if the field is grayed out, it means you do not have permission to view this password. This happens when a different user account connected to the network originally. In that case, you will need to use the router method instead.

Using Command Prompt if you are comfortable with text commands

Windows 10 also stores WiFi passwords in a command-line tool called Command Prompt. This method works even if you cannot access the Settings menu, but it requires typing a specific command exactly as written.

Press the Windows key, type "Command Prompt", right-click the result, and select "Run as administrator". A black window will open. 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 the command does not work, the most common reason is a typo in the network name. Make sure you have spelled it exactly as it appears in your list of available networks, including capital letters and spaces. If you are not sure of the exact spelling, type netsh wlan show profile without the network name first — this will list all networks your computer has ever connected to.

What to do if you cannot remember the router's admin password

If you need to access the router settings page but have forgotten the admin password, the only solution is to factory reset the router. This erases all your WiFi settings and returns the device to its original state, so you will have to set up your network again from scratch.

Locate the small reset button on the back or bottom of your router — it is usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident. Use a paperclip or the tip of a pen to hold the button down for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights on the front will blink and the device will restart. Once it finishes restarting, the admin password will be the default one printed on the sticker attached to the router.

After you log in with the default password, you can set a new WiFi network name and password. Write down the new password somewhere safe, or take a photo of it on your phone. If you lose it again, you will need to factory reset once more.

Recovering a password if you have lost access to the computer

If the computer that originally connected to the WiFi is no longer available, or if you cannot log into it, the router method is your only option. You cannot retrieve a saved password from Windows if you do not have access to that Windows account.

Go directly to your router, log in with the admin credentials, and view the password in the wireless settings as described in the first section. If you have also lost the router's admin password, you will need to factory reset the router and set up your network again.

Why Windows does not show you the password by default

Windows stores WiFi passwords in an encrypted format for security reasons. If anyone with physical access to your computer could straightforward open Settings and see all your passwords, a stolen or borrowed laptop would expose every network you have ever used. By requiring you to click an eye icon or use an admin command, Windows adds a small barrier that prevents casual snooping.

This also means that if you share a computer with other people, they cannot see your passwords unless they log into Windows with your account. Each user account on the computer has its own set of saved passwords, and they are kept separate from one another.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password if I am not the one who set up the network?

Only if you are logged into Windows with the same account that originally connected to it. If a different account on the same computer connected to the network, you cannot view the password through Windows settings. You would need to access the router instead, which requires the router's admin password.

What if I type the command and get an error message?

The most common error is a typo in the network name. Make sure you have spelled it exactly as it appears in your WiFi list, including spaces and capital letters. If you are still stuck, run netsh wlan show profile alone first to see the exact spelling of all your saved networks, then copy and paste that name into the full command.

Will factory resetting my router erase my internet connection?

Yes, temporarily. After you reset the router, it will restart and you will need to reconnect to it using the default password printed on the sticker. Once you log in, you can create a new network name and password. Your internet connection will return once you reconnect and the router finishes initializing, which usually takes a few minutes.

Is there a way to see my password without logging into the router or using Command Prompt?

Not on Windows 10 itself. The Settings menu and Command Prompt are the only two built-in tools that show saved passwords. If neither works for you, the router is your next option. Some third-party programs claim to recover passwords, but they are unnecessary and may carry security risks.

What if my router does not have a reset button?

Some older or simpler routers do not have a physical reset button. In that case, look for a reset option in the router's settings page itself — usually under "Administration" or "System Settings". If you cannot access the settings page because you have lost the admin password, contact your internet service provider. They may be able to reset the router remotely or send you a replacement.