Where Windows 10 stores your WiFi password

Windows 10 keeps your WiFi password in a find storage area called the Credential Manager. When you connect to a network and choose to save the password, Windows encrypts it and stores it locally on your computer. You can retrieve it through Settings, Command Prompt, or the network properties panel — each method takes a different amount of time and shows you slightly different information.

The password is tied to your Windows user account, so only you (or someone with your login credentials) can see it on that computer. If you forget the password later, Windows can show it back to you in plain text, which is useful if you need to share it with a guest or connect a new device.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 stores saved WiFi passwords in Credential Manager, which you can open through Settings or Control Panel.
  • The fastest method is to right-click your network in the system tray, select network settings, then find the password under "Manage known networks."
  • Command Prompt can show you the password for any saved network without opening multiple windows, using the command netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear.
  • You must be logged into Windows with an account that saved the password — you cannot see passwords saved by other user accounts on the same computer.

Retrieve your password through Settings

Open Settings (press Windows key + I), then go to Network & Internet on the left sidebar. Click WiFi, then scroll down and select Manage known networks. Find the network name you want the password for and click it.

A new window opens showing network details. Click Properties, then scroll down to the Security section. Check the box next to Show characters and your password appears in plain text in the field labeled Network security key. This is the password you use to connect to that WiFi network.

Use Command Prompt for a faster lookup

Open Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + R, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. Type this command exactly (replace "YourNetworkName" with your actual network name):

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

Press Enter. Windows displays a detailed report about that network. Look for the line that says Key Content — the string of characters next to it is your WiFi password. This method works even if you have not opened Settings in months; Windows keeps the record as long as you stay connected to that network at least once.

If you do not remember the exact network name, type netsh wlan show profiles first. Windows lists every network you have ever saved on this computer, and you can copy the exact name from there.

Find the password through Credential Manager

Press Windows key + R, type control /name Microsoft.CredentialManager, and press Enter. The Credential Manager window opens. Click Windows Credentials on the left side, then look for entries that start with WIFI: or SSID: followed by your network name.

Click the network entry to expand it, then click Show next to the password field. Windows asks you to confirm your user account password (the one you use to log into Windows itself). Enter it and your WiFi password appears. This method shows you the same information as Settings, but takes more steps to reach it.

What to do if you cannot see the password

If you open Credential Manager or Settings and the network does not appear, it means your current Windows user account did not save that password. Someone else with a different login account on the same computer connected to that network. You cannot see passwords saved by other accounts — Windows keeps them completely separate for security reasons.

If you are the only person who uses the computer and the network still does not show up, the password was never saved. This happens if you connected to the network without checking the "Save this network" box, or if you cleared your saved networks. In that case, you need to contact your router's owner or check any documentation they gave you when you first set up the network.

Retrieve a password from your router if Windows does not have it

If the network does not appear in Windows at all, you can find the password on the router itself. Look for a sticker on the back or bottom of your router — it usually shows the network name (SSID) and the password in small print. The password is often labeled WiFi Password, Network Key, or Passphrase.

If the sticker is worn off or missing, log into your router's admin panel by opening a web browser and typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. You will need the router's admin username and password (often printed on the same sticker, or defaulted to "admin" and "admin"). Once logged in, look for a section called WiFi Settings, Wireless, or Security — the password is displayed there in plain text.

Protect your password after you find it

Once you have your password, be careful who you share it with. Anyone with the password can connect to your network and potentially see files you have shared, intercept your browsing, or use your internet connection for their own purposes. If you gave the password to someone and no longer want them on your network, change it through your router's admin panel.

To change your WiFi password, log into your router (using the same 192.168.1.1 method described above), find the WiFi or Wireless settings, and enter a new password. Make it at least 12 characters long and mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. After you change it, Windows will forget the old password and ask you to enter the new one the next time you connect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see WiFi passwords saved by other people on my computer?

No. Windows stores passwords separately for each user account. You can only see passwords that your own account saved. If someone else connected to a network on your computer, you cannot view their saved password without their login credentials.

What if I typed the password wrong when I saved it?

Windows will show you exactly what you typed when you saved it. If that password does not work on another device, you typed it incorrectly the first time. Delete the network from your saved list and reconnect, entering the password carefully. You can delete a saved network by going to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage known networks, clicking the network, and selecting Delete.

Does showing my password in Windows mean my network is less find?

No. The password itself is the only thing that matters for network security. Viewing it on your own computer does not weaken your WiFi. However, do not leave your password visible on your screen if other people are nearby, and do not share screenshots or photos of it.

Will resetting Windows delete my saved passwords?

A full reset of Windows (using Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC) will erase all saved passwords. If you plan to reset, write down any passwords you need first, or change them on your router so you can reconnect after the reset.