The fastest way to see your WiFi password

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 Security, and you'll see a dropdown that says "Security type" — next to it is a button labeled "Show". Click that button and Windows will display your password in plain text.

This method works if you're already connected to the network. If you've forgotten the password and need to reconnect, you'll need to use one of the other routes below, since Windows won't show you a password for networks you're not currently signed into.

The whole process takes about 30 seconds once you know where to look. You don't need administrator rights, and you don't need to restart anything.

Key Takeaways

  • Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks shows every network your computer has ever connected to, and you can view the password for any of them.
  • The password appears next to "Network password" when you click Advanced Options and then the Show button under Security.
  • If you can't remember which network is yours, look at the signal strength and connection status — your current network shows "Connected" in green.
  • Command Prompt can also retrieve the password if the Settings method doesn't work, using the command netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear.

Using Settings to find a password you're currently connected to

Start by clicking the Windows Start button and typing "Settings" — open the Settings app. Once it's open, click Network & Internet on the left side. Then click WiFi in the left menu, and scroll down until you see "Manage Known Networks".

Click Manage Known Networks. You'll see a list of every WiFi network your computer has ever connected to, with the network name and signal strength. Find the one you want the password for and click it. A new window opens showing details about that network.

In that window, click Advanced Options. Scroll down to the Security section. You'll see "Security type" with a dropdown menu next to it. To the right of that dropdown is a button that says "Show" — click it. Windows will ask for permission (just click Yes), and then your password appears in plain text in the "Network password" field below.

Using Command Prompt if Settings doesn't show the password

If the Show button in Settings is grayed out or doesn't work, Command Prompt can retrieve the password directly. Right-click the Start button and select Windows Terminal (Admin), or search for "Command Prompt" and run it as administrator.

Type this command exactly: netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear — replace "YourNetworkName" with the actual name of your WiFi network. Press Enter. Windows will display a long list of information about that network. Scroll down to the line that says "Key Content" — the password is right there.

This method works even if you're not currently connected to the network, as long as your computer has connected to it before. Command Prompt stores the network history, so it can pull up passwords from networks you used months ago.

What to do if you don't see your network in the list

If the network you're looking for doesn't appear in Manage Known Networks, it means your computer has never connected to it before. In that case, you'll need to get the password from whoever set up the router — usually the person who pays for the internet service, or the property manager if you're renting.

If you're trying to reconnect to your own network and can't remember the password, you can reset the router itself. Most routers have a small reset button on the back that you hold down for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all settings and returns the router to factory defaults, so you'll need to set it up again from scratch using the router's manual or the manufacturer's website.

Finding the password on the router itself

If Windows won't show you the password and you need it right now, you can look it up directly on the router. The password is usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the router — look for a line that says "WiFi Password", "Network Key", or "PSK" (pre-shared key).

If the sticker is worn off or missing, log into the router's admin panel. Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. You'll be asked for a username and password — these are usually "admin" and "admin", or "admin" and the serial number printed on the router. Once you're logged in, look for a section called Wireless, WiFi Settings, or Security. The password will be listed there.

Why Windows stores passwords and how to remove one

Windows saves WiFi passwords so you don't have to type them in every time you connect. This is convenient, but it also means anyone with access to your computer can see those passwords using the methods above. If you want to remove a saved password — for example, if you're selling your computer or leaving a job — you can delete it from the Manage Known Networks list.

Go back to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, find the network you want to forget, click it, and then click Forget. Windows will remove that network from your saved list. The next time you try to connect to it, you'll have to type the password in again.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. As long as your computer connected to the network at some point in the past, Windows has stored the password. You can view it using either the Settings method or Command Prompt, even if you haven't used that network in months or years.

What if the Show button is grayed out?

This usually means Windows doesn't have permission to display the password. Try running Command Prompt as administrator instead and use the netsh command. If that doesn't work, the network may have been set up by a domain administrator, and you may not have the rights to view it.

Is it safe to show my WiFi password on my computer?

Only if you're the only person who uses your computer. Anyone with physical access to your machine can follow these same steps and see every password you've ever saved. If you share your computer, consider using a password manager instead of relying on Windows to store them.

Can I change my WiFi password from Windows?

No. Windows can only show you the password you're already using. To change it, you need to log into your router's admin panel using a web browser, or use your internet provider's app if they offer one. The router is where the password actually lives.