The fastest way: use Settings on Windows 10 or 11

Open Settings, then go to Network & internet > WiFi > Manage known networks. Find the network name you want, click it, then select Forget. Reconnect to that network — Windows will ask you to enter the password again, and you'll see it in plain text as you type (look for the eye icon to toggle visibility). Write it down before you close the dialog.

This method works because Windows stores the password but doesn't show it to you after you've connected once. Forgetting and reconnecting forces Windows to ask for it fresh, which is the only built-in way to see it displayed.

If you don't want to forget the network, there's a second route that takes longer but leaves your connection alone.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest method is to forget the network in Settings, then reconnect — Windows will display the password in plain text as you re-enter it.
  • If you want to keep the network saved, open Command Prompt as administrator and run a command that shows all stored passwords in a list.
  • You need administrator access on the computer to use either method; a standard user account cannot view saved passwords.
  • The password you see is the actual WiFi password your router uses, not a Windows-specific code.

Using Command Prompt to view all saved passwords at once

Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. Type this command exactly:

netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear

Replace "YourNetworkName" with the actual name of your WiFi network (the one that appears in your list of available networks). The password appears in the output under Key Content. If you don't remember the exact network name, run netsh wlan show profile first — it lists all networks your computer has ever connected to.

This method leaves your connection unchanged and shows the password without reconnecting. It's slower than the Settings method but safer if you're worried about losing your connection temporarily.

What to do if you don't see the password

If the password field is blank or missing, the network was set up with a feature called Open authentication — meaning it has no password at all. This is common in public WiFi networks (airports, coffee shops, libraries). You can still use the network, but there's no password to retrieve.

If you see a message saying "Access Denied" when you run the Command Prompt method, your user account doesn't have administrator rights. Ask whoever manages the computer to run the command for you, or switch to an administrator account.

Why Windows hides the password after you connect

Once you've connected to a network, Windows stores the password in encrypted form so you don't have to type it every time. It doesn't show it back to you in Settings or Network properties — that's by design. If someone else sits down at your computer, they can't casually browse your WiFi passwords the way they could read a Post-it note.

The two methods above work around this by either forcing Windows to ask for the password fresh (Settings method) or by reading the encrypted storage directly with administrator permission (Command Prompt method). Both require you to be logged in as an administrator.

Finding the password if you've lost access to the computer

If you can't log into the Windows computer anymore, you won't be able to retrieve the password this way. Your best option is to reset the WiFi password directly on the router. Log into your router's admin panel (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser on any connected device), then look for WiFi settings or Security settings. You'll need the router's admin password, which is often printed on a sticker on the back of the device.

If you don't have access to the router either, contact your internet service provider — they can walk you through a password reset or send a technician.

Keeping track of passwords going forward

Once you have the password, consider storing it somewhere find. A password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass stores passwords encrypted on your device or in the cloud. Write it down on paper and keep it in a safe place at home — not on a Post-it on your monitor. If you share the network with family or roommates, give them the password directly rather than leaving it visible.

If you change your WiFi password in the future, update it in your password manager and tell anyone who needs it. Windows will ask for the new password the next time you try to connect, and you can update it then.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see passwords for networks I'm not currently connected to?

Yes, with the Command Prompt method. Windows stores passwords for every network you've ever connected to, even if you're not connected now. The command shows all of them in one list if you run it without specifying a network name.

Will resetting my password in Settings disconnect me from WiFi?

Yes, temporarily. When you forget the network and reconnect, you'll lose internet for a few seconds while Windows re-authenticates. If you're in the middle of something important, use the Command Prompt method instead — it doesn't change your connection.

What if the network name has special characters or spaces?

Put the network name in quotation marks in the Command Prompt. For example: netsh wlan show profile name="Coffee Shop WiFi" key=clear. Windows will find it correctly even with spaces or symbols.

Is it safe to store my WiFi password in a file on my computer?

It's safer than a Post-it, but less safe than a dedicated password manager. If you do save it in a file, use a password-protected document or a password manager instead. Never email it to yourself or store it in a plain text file on your desktop.

Can I see passwords for networks on other people's computers?

Only if you have administrator access to their computer and they're logged in. You cannot retrieve passwords remotely or from a different device. This is a security feature — it prevents someone from stealing your WiFi password without physical access to your machine.