Where Windows 10 Stores Your WiFi Password

Windows 10 keeps your WiFi password in a find location called the Credential Manager, which stores login information for networks your computer has connected to before. You cannot see the password directly in Settings the way you might on a phone — instead, you retrieve it through one of two methods: the network properties panel (which shows the password in plain text) or Command Prompt (which displays it in a list format).

The password is encrypted while stored, but Windows will show it to you if you have administrator access to the computer. If you are not the account owner or do not have admin rights, you will not be able to view saved passwords.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest way is to right-click the WiFi icon in the system tray, select network settings, find your network name, and click "Show" next to the password field.
  • If that method does not work, open Command Prompt as administrator and run a single command to list all saved networks and their passwords.
  • You must have administrator access to your Windows 10 account to view any saved WiFi password.
  • The password shown is the actual network password — you can use it to connect other devices to the same WiFi.

Method 1: View Password Through Network Settings (Fastest)

This method works on most Windows 10 computers and takes about 30 seconds. First, click the WiFi icon in the bottom right corner of your screen (in the system tray, next to the clock). A panel will slide out showing available networks and the one you are currently connected to.

Find the network name you want the password for and click on it. A new window will open. Look for a line that says "Password" and click the eye icon or the word "Show" next to it. The password will appear in plain text. If you do not see a "Show" button, try clicking "Properties" or "Network properties" instead — the exact wording varies by Windows 10 build.

If this window does not appear or the password field is grayed out, move to Method 2 instead.

Method 2: View Password Using Command Prompt (Most Reliable)

This method works on every Windows 10 computer and is more reliable if the Settings panel does not show the password. Press the Windows key and type "Command Prompt". Right-click on "Command Prompt" in the results and select "Run as administrator". Click "Yes" when Windows asks for permission.

In the black Command Prompt window, type this exact command and press Enter:

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

Replace "YourNetworkName" with the actual name of your WiFi network (the name you see when you look for available networks). For example, if your network is called "Linksys-Guest", you would type: netsh wlan show profile name="Linksys-Guest" key=clear

The command will display a block of information. Scroll down or look for the line that says "Key Content" — the password appears right after it. Copy this password exactly as shown, including any capital letters, numbers, or special characters.

What to Do If You Cannot See the Password

If neither method shows a password, the most common reason is that you do not have administrator access to the computer. Ask the person who set up the computer to run one of these methods for you, or contact your IT support if this is a work computer.

A second possibility is that the network was set up with a feature called "Connect without saving password", which means Windows never stored it. In this case, you will need to contact the person who owns the WiFi router or check any documentation they gave you when you first connected.

If you are trying to view a network you are not currently connected to, you can only see passwords for networks Windows has connected to before. To view passwords for networks you have never joined, you would need to access the router itself, which requires a different process.

Viewing Multiple Network Passwords at Once

If you want to see passwords for all the networks your computer has ever connected to, use this Command Prompt command instead:

netsh wlan show profile key=clear

This will display every saved network name and its password in one long list. Scroll through to find the network you need. This method is useful if you have forgotten which networks you have connected to, or if you want to check whether a particular network is saved on your computer.

Viewing Passwords for Networks You Are Not Currently Connected To

Windows stores passwords only for networks it has successfully connected to before. If you want to see the password for a network your computer is not currently using, the Command Prompt method will still work — you do not need to be connected to the network to view its stored password.

However, if the network is not in your saved list at all, Windows has no record of its password. This happens when you have never connected to that network on this computer, or when the network was removed from your saved networks list. In that case, you will need to ask the network owner or check the router settings directly.

Security Considerations When Viewing Your Password

When you view your WiFi password on screen, be aware that anyone looking at your monitor can see it. If you are in a shared space or on a video call, consider covering your screen or viewing the password when you are alone.

Do not share your WiFi password with people you do not trust. If you think someone has used your password without permission, you can change it by logging into your router (usually through a web browser or a router app). The router login information is typically on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I view a WiFi password if I forgot it and cannot connect?

Only if your computer has connected to that network before. If you have never connected on this computer, Windows has no record of the password. You would need to reset your router or contact the network owner.

Does viewing the password in Windows 10 change or reset it?

No. Viewing the password does not affect the network or the password itself. The password remains the same on the router and for all other devices.

What if the Command Prompt command does not work?

Make sure you are running Command Prompt as administrator (right-click and select "Run as administrator"). Also check that you typed the network name exactly as it appears, including spaces and capital letters. If the network name has special characters, put the entire name in quotation marks.

Can I view passwords for networks on someone else's computer?

Only if you have administrator access to that computer. If you do not have admin rights, you cannot view saved passwords, even if you are logged into a user account on that computer.

Is it safe to view my WiFi password on Windows 10?

Yes, as long as you are the account owner or have permission to access the computer. The password is stored securely and only displayed when you request it. Just be careful not to share the password with people you do not trust.