Open Settings and navigate to your network

Windows 10 stores your WiFi password in the system settings, and you can retrieve it in about two minutes without any special tools. The fastest route is through Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks.

Click the WiFi network name you want the password for. A window will open showing network details. Look for a button or link that says "Security" or "Show" — this is where Windows displays the actual password in plain text.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 stores every WiFi password you have ever connected to, and you can view any of them through Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks.
  • You must be logged in as an administrator on that Windows 10 computer to see the password.
  • If you cannot find the network in Manage Known Networks, use the Command Prompt method instead, which works even if the network is no longer broadcasting.
  • The password appears in plain text once you click the security or show button — write it down or copy it before closing the window.

Use the Settings method for networks you have connected to before

This is the simplest path if your computer has already joined the WiFi network at least once. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then go to Network & Internet. On the left sidebar, click WiFi. Scroll down and click "Manage Known Networks."

A list of every network your computer has ever connected to will appear. Find the one you need and click it. A new window opens showing the network name, the type of security it uses, and a button labeled "Security" or sometimes "Show password." Click that button, and Windows will display the actual password in plain text.

Try Command Prompt if the network does not appear in Settings

If the network you need is not in Manage Known Networks — perhaps because you deleted it, or because you are trying to find a password from a network your computer no longer remembers — use Command Prompt instead. This method works even if the network is no longer broadcasting.

Right-click the Start button and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)." If you see a security prompt asking for permission, click Yes. Type this command exactly: netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clear — but replace "NetworkName" with the actual name of your WiFi network.

Press Enter. A block of text will appear. Scroll down until you see "Security Settings" and then look for the line that says "Key Content." The password is the string of characters next to "Key Content."

Find the network name if you do not know it

If you know you want to find a password but cannot remember the network name, Windows can show you a list. Open Command Prompt as admin (right-click Start, choose "Command Prompt (Admin)") and type: netsh wlan show profiles

Press Enter. You will see a list of every network your computer has ever connected to, with each one labeled "Profile" followed by the network name. Once you find the one you need, use that exact name in the Command Prompt method above.

What to do if you see "Access Denied"

If Command Prompt returns an "Access Denied" error, you are not logged in as an administrator. Right-click Command Prompt itself and select "Run as Administrator" before typing the command. Windows will ask for permission — click Yes.

If you are already running as admin and still see the error, the network profile may be corrupted. In that case, the Settings method is your only option — and only if your computer is still connected to that network or has connected to it recently.

Understand what you are looking at

Windows stores WiFi passwords in encrypted form on your hard drive. When you view the password through Settings or Command Prompt, Windows decrypts it temporarily so you can see it. This is why you must be logged in as an administrator — Windows assumes that if you have admin access to the computer, you have the right to see the passwords stored on it.

The password you see is the same one you typed when you first connected to the network. If you have changed the password on your router since then, Windows will still show you the old password, and it will not work. You would need to either change the router password back, or forget the network in Windows and reconnect with the new password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find a WiFi password on Windows 10 if I am not the administrator?

No. You must be logged in as an administrator to view stored WiFi passwords through either Settings or Command Prompt. If you are not an admin, ask someone who is to retrieve the password for you, or contact your network administrator.

What if the password I find does not work?

The password Windows shows you is the one your computer last used to connect. If it does not work, the router password has been changed since then. You will need to either reset the router to its default password, change the router password back, or forget the network in Windows and reconnect with the new password.

Does finding a stored password delete it or change anything?

No. Viewing the password through Settings or Command Prompt does not modify anything on your computer or your network. The password remains stored exactly as it was.

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

No. Windows only stores passwords for networks your computer has actually joined. If you need the password for a network you have never connected to, you will need to ask the network owner or administrator.