View a Saved WiFi Password Through Network Settings

Windows 10 stores the password for any network you have connected to before. To see it, open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then WiFi, and select Manage Known Networks. Click the network name you want, then Advanced Options. Scroll down to find the Security Type and Shared Key fields — the Shared Key is your password in plain text.

This method works only if your computer has already connected to that network at least once. If you are trying to find the password for a network you have never joined, this route will not show it. The password appears in the Shared Key field exactly as you entered it when you first connected.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 displays saved WiFi passwords in Settings under Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks > Advanced Options.
  • The password appears as the "Shared Key" field and shows the exact password you used when you first connected to that network.
  • This method only works for networks your computer has already joined; it cannot reveal passwords for networks you have never connected to.
  • If you cannot remember which network is yours, look for the one labeled as "Connected" in the Manage Known Networks list.

Find the Password Using Command Prompt

Open Command Prompt as Administrator by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin). Type the command netsh wlan show profile and press Enter. This lists every network your computer has ever connected to. Find your network name in the list.

Next, type netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear, replacing YourNetworkName with the exact name from the list. Press Enter. Scroll up in the Command Prompt window to find the line labeled "Key Content" — that is your password. The quotes around the network name are required if the name contains spaces.

This method works even if you have forgotten the network name. The command shows all networks in one list, so you can scan for the one you recognize. If the network name contains special characters, keep the quotes around it in the command.

Retrieve a Password from Your Router's Admin Panel

If you own the router, you can reset or view the password through its settings page. Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. Most home routers use one of these addresses. You will be asked to log in — the default username is often "admin" and the password is often "admin" or "password", though this varies by router brand.

Once logged in, look for a section called Wireless, WiFi Settings, or Security. The password field usually shows dots or asterisks for security, but many routers have a "Show Password" checkbox that reveals it in plain text. Write down the password exactly as it appears.

If you cannot log in with the default credentials, check the sticker on the bottom or back of your router — it often lists the default username and password. If you have changed the admin password and forgotten it, you will need to reset the router to factory settings, which erases all your custom settings and returns it to defaults.

What to Do If You Cannot Find the Password

If Windows shows no saved networks or the password field is blank, your computer may never have connected to that network. In this case, you will need to contact whoever set up the network or owns the router. If it is your own router and you have lost the password, resetting the router to factory defaults is the only option — look for a small reset button on the device that you hold down for 10 to 15 seconds.

If you are trying to find the password for a neighbor's network or a public WiFi, you cannot retrieve it through Windows. Public networks often do not use passwords at all, or the password is posted somewhere visible, like on a café wall or receipt.

Protect Your Password After You Find It

Once you have the password, do not share it in email, text, or chat unless you trust the person completely. If you need to give someone access to your WiFi, consider creating a guest network through your router settings instead — this lets them connect without knowing your main password, and you can turn it off whenever you want.

If you suspect someone has your password and is using your network without permission, change the password through your router's admin panel. After you change it, your computer will forget the old password and ask you to enter the new one the next time it tries to connect.

Why Windows Stores Your Password

Windows saves your WiFi password so you do not have to type it every time you reconnect to a network you have used before. This is called a "saved network" or "known network." The password is encrypted on your computer, meaning it is scrambled in a way that makes it harder for someone to steal it if they gain access to your files.

However, anyone with physical access to your computer and administrator rights can view these saved passwords through the methods described above. This is why keeping your Windows password strong and your computer physically find matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a WiFi password if I am not the network owner?

Only if the computer you are using has already connected to that network. If your computer has never joined it, Windows has no record of the password. If someone else set up the network on your computer, you can view it through the methods above, but you cannot retrieve a password for a network your computer has never used.

What if the Shared Key field is empty?

An empty Shared Key usually means the network does not use a password — it is an open network. Some public WiFi networks work this way. If you expected a password, the network may have been set up without one, or you may be looking at the wrong network name.

Is it safe to use Command Prompt to view my password?

Yes. Command Prompt is a built-in Windows tool, and using it to view your own saved passwords is safe. However, anyone with administrator access to your computer can use these same commands, so keep your Windows login password strong.

Will resetting my router erase my other devices' connections?

Yes. Resetting the router to factory settings erases all custom settings, including the network name and password you created. All devices will lose their saved connection and will need to reconnect using the new default credentials. You can then change the name and password to what you prefer.

Can I change my WiFi password without resetting the router?

Yes. Log into your router's admin panel at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, find the WiFi or Wireless settings section, and change the password field. Save the changes. Your devices will disconnect and ask you to enter the new password the next time they try to connect.