The quickest way to see your WiFi password

Windows stores your WiFi password in your network settings, and you can view it in about 30 seconds without any extra software. The password appears in plain text once you open the right menu — you do not need administrator access or special tools.

The fastest route is through Settings. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, select WiFi, then choose Manage Known Networks and pick your network. Click the Security tab, and you will see a checkbox labeled "Show characters" — check that box and your password displays when ready.

If that menu does not show your password (which happens on older Windows versions or networks you joined long ago), the Command Prompt method works on every Windows machine. It takes two lines of text and shows all your saved passwords at once.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app is the fastest way: Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks > your network > Security tab > Show characters.
  • Your password appears in plain text once you check the "Show characters" box — no restart or special permissions needed.
  • If Settings does not display the password, open Command Prompt and type netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear to see it.
  • You must know your network name (the WiFi name you see when you connect) to use either method.
  • These methods only show passwords for networks your computer has already connected to and saved.

Using the Settings app (Windows 10 and 11)

This is the simplest path if you are on a recent Windows version. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then press Enter.

Once Settings opens, click Network & Internet on the left side. Then click WiFi. You will see a section called "Manage known networks" — click that. A list of every network your computer has ever connected to appears. Find the one you want the password for and click it.

A new window opens showing details about that network. Look for the Security tab and click it. You will see a field labeled "Security key" with dots or asterisks hiding the password. Below that field is a checkbox that says "Show characters" — click it. Your password now displays in plain text in that field.

Using Command Prompt if Settings does not show the password

Some older Windows versions or networks joined years ago do not display the password in Settings. Command Prompt works on every Windows machine and shows all saved passwords at once.

Press the Windows key, type "command prompt," right-click it, and select "Run as administrator." A black window opens. Type this exactly (replace YourNetworkName with the actual name of your WiFi network):

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

Press Enter. A long list of information about that network appears. Scroll down until you see a line that says "Key Content" — the password is the text right after that. If you have many networks saved, you can type this command instead to see all passwords at once:

netsh wlan show profile key=clear

This displays every network and password your computer has saved. Scroll through the results to find the one you need.

What to do if you still cannot see the password

If neither method shows a password, the most common reason is that you joined the network using a QR code or a guest account, and Windows did not save the actual password. In that case, you will need to ask whoever set up the network or check the router itself.

To check the router, open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. You may be asked to log in — the username and password are usually printed on a sticker on the router. Once you log in, look for a section called WiFi, Wireless, or Network Settings, and the password will be there.

If you do not know the router login, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 seconds, but this erases all your custom settings and requires you to set up the network again from scratch.

Why Windows hides the password by default

Windows hides WiFi passwords to prevent someone who sits at your computer from easily seeing them. The password is stored in your system, but it is not displayed unless you specifically ask to see it. This is a security feature — if someone gains access to your computer, they can still find the password, but it requires them to know where to look.

The "Show characters" checkbox and the Command Prompt method both require you to be logged into your Windows account. If someone else is using your computer, they cannot see your passwords without logging in as you.

Viewing passwords for networks you no longer use

Windows keeps passwords for every network you have ever connected to, even if you have not used it in years. You can see all of them in the Manage Known Networks menu — just scroll through the list. If you want to remove a network you no longer use, click it in that list and select "Forget." This deletes the saved password and network details.

Forgetting a network does not affect the actual WiFi network — it only removes it from your computer's saved list. The next time you want to connect to that network, you will need to enter the password again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my WiFi password if I forgot it?

Yes, if your computer has connected to that network before and saved the password. Both the Settings method and Command Prompt will show it. If your computer has never connected to the network, you will need to check the router or ask the network owner.

Do I need to be an administrator to see my WiFi password?

For the Settings app method, no — any user account can view it. For Command Prompt, you must right-click and select "Run as administrator," but you do not need a separate admin password if you are already logged in as an administrator.

Will seeing my password change it or cause any problems?

No. Viewing the password does not change it, reset it, or affect the network in any way. You are only reading information that is already stored on your computer.

What if the password field shows nothing even after I click "Show characters"?

This usually means you connected using a QR code or guest login, and Windows did not save the actual password. Check your router settings or ask whoever manages the network for the password.

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

No. These methods only show passwords for networks your computer has already joined and saved. To see a password for a network you have never used, you will need to access the router directly.