The fastest way to see your WiFi password

Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then WiFi, and select Manage Known Networks. Click the network you want, then Advanced, then Security. Check the box next to "Show characters" next to the password field — your WiFi password appears in plain text.

This method works if you are already connected to the network. If you are not connected, you will need to use a different route, which we cover below. The password that appears here is exactly what you would type into a new device to join the same network.

The entire process takes under a minute. You do not need administrator rights, and you do not 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 "Show characters" checkbox reveals the password in plain text instead of dots, and this works whether you are currently connected or not.
  • If you cannot find the network in Manage Known Networks, you can view the password through Command Prompt using a single command that displays all saved networks.
  • Viewing your own WiFi password does not require administrator rights, but changing network settings or viewing another person's password does.

Step-by-step: Settings method

Start by opening Settings. Press the Windows key and type "settings", then press Enter. Once Settings opens, click Network & Internet on the left side.

On the Network & Internet page, click WiFi in the left menu. You will see a list of options. Click "Manage Known Networks" — this shows every WiFi network your computer has connected to before.

Find the network whose password you want to see and click it. A new window opens showing details about that network. Click "Advanced" at the bottom of that window.

Scroll down until you see the Security section. You will see a field labeled "Password" with dots or asterisks covering the actual characters. Check the box next to "Show characters" and the password appears in plain text. You can now copy it or write it down.

Using Command Prompt if the network is not in Settings

If you cannot find the network in Manage Known Networks — perhaps because you deleted it or never saved it — Command Prompt can show you all saved networks and their passwords at once.

Press the Windows key and type "cmd", then right-click Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator". In the window that opens, type this command exactly:

netsh wlan show profile

Press Enter. You will see a list of every network your computer has ever connected to. Find the one you want, then type this command, replacing "NetworkName" with the exact name of your network:

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

Press Enter. The password appears next to "Key Content" in the output. This method requires administrator rights, which is why you must right-click and select "Run as administrator".

What to do if you do not see the password

If the password field is blank or empty, your computer may not have saved the password when it connected. This sometimes happens if you connected using a QR code or a temporary connection method.

In this case, you will need to ask the person who set up the network, check any documentation they gave you, or log into your router directly. To log into your router, open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar — one of these usually works. You will need the router's admin password, which is often on a sticker on the back of the device.

If you own the network and have forgotten the admin password, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all settings, so use it only as a last resort.

Viewing a network you are not currently connected to

Both the Settings method and the Command Prompt method work for networks you are no longer connected to, as long as your computer has connected to them before. Windows saves the password for every network you have ever joined.

If you want to see the password for a network your computer has never connected to, you cannot retrieve it from Windows. You would need to access the router itself or ask the network owner.

Security considerations when sharing passwords

Anyone with access to your computer can view your saved WiFi passwords using these methods. If you share your computer with others and want to prevent them from seeing your network password, you can delete the network from Manage Known Networks and reconnect with a new password later.

If you suspect someone has accessed your network without permission, change your WiFi password through your router settings. Log into your router using the admin credentials, find the WiFi or Security section, and create a new password. This disconnects all devices currently on the network, and they will need the new password to reconnect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be connected to the network to see its password?

No. Both the Settings method and Command Prompt method show the password for any network your computer has connected to before, whether you are currently connected or not. Windows stores the password even after you disconnect.

What if the password field shows nothing or is blank?

Your computer did not save the password, usually because you connected using a QR code or a guest connection. You will need to ask the network owner, check the router directly, or reset the router to factory settings if you own it.

Can I view someone else's WiFi password on their computer?

Yes, if you have access to their computer and can log in, you can view any saved WiFi password using these methods. This is why you should not leave your computer unattended around people you do not trust.

Does viewing a saved password require administrator rights?

The Settings method does not. The Command Prompt method does — you must right-click Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator" for the netsh command to work.

What happens if I delete a network from Manage Known Networks?

Windows stops remembering that network and its password. The next time you want to connect, you will need to enter the password again. You can always reconnect and Windows will save it again.