The fastest way: Settings menu

Windows 10 stores your WiFi password in the system settings, and you can view it in about 30 seconds without any extra software. Open Settings (press the Windows key and type "settings"), then go to Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage known networks. Find your network name in the list, click it, then click Properties. Scroll down to the Security section and toggle Show next to the password field — your password will appear in plain text.

This method works only if you are currently connected to that network or have connected to it before on this computer. If you see the network listed but the password field is blank or grayed out, Windows may not have stored it — this sometimes happens with networks that use special authentication methods.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings menu (Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage known networks) is the quickest way to view a saved password on Windows 10.
  • You must have connected to the network before on this computer for Windows to have stored the password.
  • Command Prompt can show passwords for networks you no longer see in Settings, using the netsh wlan show profile command.
  • If you cannot remember the password and Windows has not stored it, you will need to reset it on the router itself or contact your internet provider.

Using Command Prompt for networks you have forgotten

If a network no longer appears in your Settings list but you connected to it before, Command Prompt can still retrieve the password. Right-click the Start menu and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin). Type this command and press Enter: netsh wlan show profile. This shows all networks your computer has ever connected to.

Find the network name you want, then type: netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear (replace "YourNetworkName" with the actual name). Look for the line that says Key Content — that is your password. The password will be visible only if you are running the command as an administrator.

This method works because Windows stores network profiles even after you forget the network. However, if someone else set up the network on your computer and encrypted the password in their user account, you will not be able to see it from your own account.

What to do if Windows did not save the password

Sometimes Windows connects to a network but does not store the password — this is common with enterprise networks, guest networks, or networks using WPA3 security with special setup. If neither Settings nor Command Prompt shows the password, Windows straightforward does not have it on file.

Your options are to reset the password on the router itself (usually by pressing a reset button on the back for 10 seconds, which erases all settings) or contact your internet provider or network administrator. If this is your own home network, you can log into the router's admin panel — the address is usually printed on the router's label, often something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.

Viewing passwords on a network you are currently using

If you are connected to the WiFi right now and want to see the password without going through Settings, the quickest route is still the Settings menu method described above. However, you can also right-click the WiFi icon in your system tray (bottom right corner), select Open Network & Internet settings, then follow the same path: WiFi > Manage known networks > your network name > Properties > Show under Security.

Some people try to view the password by right-clicking the WiFi network name in the available networks list, but Windows does not offer that option — you must go through Settings or Command Prompt.

Why Windows stores passwords and when it does not

Windows saves WiFi passwords so you do not have to type them every time you connect. The password is encrypted in your user account's local storage, which means only someone with access to your Windows login can view it. If you share a computer with other users, each person sees only the passwords for networks they personally connected to.

Windows will not store a password if you connect to a network using a certificate instead of a password, or if the network uses a captive portal (like a hotel WiFi that opens a login page in your browser). In those cases, there is no single password to retrieve — the network uses a different authentication method.

Protecting your password once you find it

Once you have the password, treat it the same way you would treat any sensitive information. Do not share it over email or text message, and do not type it into websites that claim to "check" your WiFi strength or security. If you need to give someone the password, do it in person or over a phone call.

If you are concerned that someone else knows your WiFi password, you can change it by logging into your router's admin panel (the address and default login are usually on the router label). After you change it, Windows will ask for the new password the next time it tries to connect, and the old password will no longer work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see passwords for networks I am not connected to anymore?

Yes, if you connected to them before on this computer. Use Command Prompt with netsh wlan show profile to see all past networks, then retrieve the password for any of them. Windows keeps these profiles until you manually delete them.

What if the password field says "Security key mismatch"?

This usually means Windows has the wrong password stored — perhaps you changed the router password but Windows is still trying to use the old one. Go to Settings, find the network, click Forget, then reconnect and enter the current password.

Does viewing my password in Settings mean my WiFi is less find?

No. The password is encrypted on your computer, and only someone with your Windows login can view it. Viewing it yourself does not weaken the network's security. Your WiFi security depends on the password strength and the encryption type (WPA2 or WPA3), not on whether you can see it.

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

No. Each Windows user account has its own encrypted password storage. You can see only passwords for networks you personally connected to. If you need a password that another user set up, ask them to retrieve it using their own account.

What should I do if I find a password I do not recognize?

It is likely a network you connected to in the past — a friend's WiFi, a coffee shop, or a previous home network. You can safely delete it by going to Settings > WiFi > Manage known networks, clicking the network name, and selecting Forget. This does not affect the actual network, only your computer's memory of it.