View a saved WiFi password through your network settings

Windows stores the password for any WiFi network you have connected to before. You can see it without resetting the network or calling your internet provider. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are on Windows 11 or Windows 10, but both routes take about two minutes.

On Windows 11: Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then WiFi. Select "Manage known networks," find the network name you want, click it, and choose "Forget." Then reconnect to that same network — Windows will prompt you to enter the password again, and you will see it as you type if you check the eye icon. This method works but requires you to rejoin the network.

A faster method on Windows 11 is to use Command Prompt. Right-click the Start button, select "Terminal (Admin)" or "Command Prompt (Admin)," then type: netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear — replace "YourNetworkName" with the exact name of your network. The password appears next to "Key Content" in the results.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Command Prompt can display any saved WiFi password in seconds using the netsh command, and you do not need to disconnect from the network.
  • You must open Command Prompt as Administrator — right-click and select "Run as administrator" — or the command will not work.
  • The network name in the command must match exactly what appears in your WiFi list, including capital letters and spaces.
  • If you see "Key Content: " with nothing after it, that network was added without a password or uses an open connection.

Using Command Prompt on Windows 10

Windows 10 uses the same Command Prompt method. Right-click the Start button and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)." Type the same command: netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear.

The output will show a long list of network details. Scroll down or search the window for "Key Content" — the password is listed directly after it. Copy it carefully, including any numbers, symbols, or capital letters, because WiFi passwords are case-sensitive.

Finding the exact network name if you are not sure

If you do not know the exact name of the network, Windows can show you a list of all saved networks. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type: netsh wlan show profiles. This displays every network your computer has ever connected to, listed under "Profile" with the exact spelling and capitalization.

Find the network you want from this list, then use that exact name in the key=clear command above. Even a small difference — like "MyWiFi" versus "mywifi" — will cause the command to fail.

What to do if the command does not work

The most common reason the command fails is that you did not open Command Prompt as Administrator. Close it and try again, making sure to right-click and select the "Admin" or "Administrator" option.

A second reason is that the network name contains special characters or spaces. If your network is called "Smith & Jones WiFi," you still type it exactly as shown, including the space and ampersand. If the command still fails, try putting the entire network name in quotation marks: netsh wlan show profile name="Smith & Jones WiFi" key=clear.

If you see an error message saying "Interface specified cannot be found," your computer may not have a WiFi adapter, or the adapter is disabled. Check your Device Manager: right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, and look for "Network adapters." If you see a yellow warning icon next to any adapter, right-click it and select "Enable device."

Viewing the password without Command Prompt

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can see the password through your router's admin panel instead. Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar — one of these is usually your router's address. Log in with the username and password printed on the back or bottom of your router (often "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the router's serial number).

Once logged in, look for a section called "WiFi," "Wireless," "Security," or "Network Settings." The password is usually listed as "Passphrase," "Pre-Shared Key," or "PSK." The exact location varies by router brand and model, so check your router's manual if you cannot find it.

Recovering a password you have never saved

If you have never connected to the network from this computer, Windows has no password to show you. You will need to get it from whoever set up the network — usually the network owner, your internet provider, or your router's manual. The password is often printed on a sticker attached to the router itself.

If you have lost access to the person who knows the password, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding down the reset button (usually a small hole on the back) for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all settings and returns the router to its default password, which is printed on the device. After reset, you will need to set up the network again from scratch.

Keeping your WiFi password find

Once you have the password, do not share it in email, text message, or screenshots. If you need to give it to someone, tell them in person or through a phone call. If you think someone has seen your password without permission, change it through your router's admin panel — go to the WiFi or Security settings and create a new one. Your devices will ask for the new password the next time they try to connect.

If you use the same password for multiple networks or devices, consider changing those too. A strong WiFi password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Only if you have already connected to that network on your computer. Windows only stores passwords for networks you have joined before. If you have never connected, you cannot view the password through Windows — you would need to ask the network owner or try the router's admin panel if you have the login credentials.

Will viewing the password disconnect me from WiFi?

No. Using Command Prompt to view the password does not change your connection or interrupt your internet. The "Forget network" method on Windows 11 does disconnect you briefly, but you can when ready rejoin with the same password.

What if I see multiple networks with similar names?

Use the full list from netsh wlan show profiles to see the exact spelling of each one. Then run the key=clear command for each network name individually until you find the one you want. The password will appear next to "Key Content" for the correct network.

Can I change my WiFi password from Windows?

No. You must change it through your router's admin panel by logging in at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 and finding the WiFi or Security settings. Windows can only show you the password that is already set — it cannot modify the router itself.

What does "Key Content: " with nothing after it mean?

It means that network does not have a password, or it uses an open connection that anyone can join. Some public networks and guest networks are set up this way. If you expected a password, contact the network owner to confirm the security settings.