Where Windows 10 Stores Your Network Credentials

Windows 10 keeps your saved network passwords in a locked section called Credential Manager, which you can open without special tools. The username is usually your network name (the one you set up when you installed your router), and the password is what you created during that same setup. If you do not remember either one, Windows can show you the password you saved — but only if you are logged into that Windows account right now.

The fastest way is through Credential Manager, a built-in Windows tool. A second method uses your network settings directly. Both take about two minutes and require no downloads or administrator approval.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Credential Manager by typing "credential manager" into the Windows search box, then select the Windows Credentials tab to find saved network passwords.
  • Your network username is the name you gave your WiFi network (the SSID), and the password is what you set during router setup.
  • If you saved the password in Windows, you can reveal it by clicking the network name, then "Show" next to the password field.
  • If Credential Manager shows nothing, your password may not be saved to this Windows account, or you may need to check your router directly.
  • Resetting your router to factory settings will erase the saved password and force you to set a new one.

Opening Credential Manager and Finding Your Password

Click the Windows search box (the magnifying glass icon on your taskbar) and type credential manager. Select "Credential Manager" from the results — it is the one with a key icon. The window that opens shows two tabs: Windows Credentials and Web Credentials. Click the Windows Credentials tab.

Look for an entry that says something like "MicrosoftAccount" or your network name. Click the arrow next to it to expand it. You will see a field labeled "Password" with dots or asterisks covering the actual text. Click the word Show next to the password field. Windows will ask you to confirm your account password (the one you use to log into this computer). Type it and click OK. The network password will now appear in plain text.

Write down both the network name (username) and the password exactly as they appear. If you see multiple entries, look for the one that matches your router's name — the network name you see when you search for WiFi networks on your phone or laptop.

Using Network Settings to View Saved Passwords

If Credential Manager feels confusing, you can also find your password through Settings. Right-click the WiFi icon in your taskbar (bottom right corner) and select Open Network & Internet settings. Click WiFi on the left side, then scroll down and click Manage known networks.

You will see a list of networks Windows has connected to before. Click the network name you are looking for, then click Forget — do not worry, this only removes it from the list temporarily. Now click WiFi again and look for your network in the available networks list. Click it and select Connect. Windows will ask for the password. If you remember it, type it. If you do not, this method will not show you a saved password the way Credential Manager does.

This approach works better if you want to reconnect to a network you have forgotten. For viewing a password you already saved, Credential Manager is faster.

What to Do If Your Password Is Not Saved

If you open Credential Manager and do not see your network listed, the password was never saved to this Windows account. This happens when you connected to the network from a different user account, or when you chose not to save the password during connection. In this case, you will need to check your router directly.

Most routers have a sticker on the back or bottom with the default network name and password printed on it. If you changed the password after setup (which is a good security practice), you will need to log into your router's admin panel. Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. You will be asked for a username and password — these are different from your network credentials and are usually "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and the password on the router sticker. Once logged in, look for a section called WiFi Settings, Wireless, or Network to find your saved network name and password.

Resetting Your Password If You Cannot Find It

If you cannot locate the password through any of these methods, you can reset it by restarting your router. Unplug the power cable from the back of your router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. The router will restart and return to its factory settings, which means your network password will revert to whatever is printed on the sticker on the router itself.

After the router restarts (usually two to five minutes), you can reconnect to the network using the default password on the sticker. Once connected, log into the router's admin panel and create a new network name and password. This time, write them down or save them somewhere safe — a notes app on your phone, a password manager, or even a piece of paper in a drawer.

Why Your Username and Password Matter

Your network username (the name of your WiFi network, called the SSID) and password are what devices use to connect to your internet. They are different from your Windows login password, your email password, or your router admin password. Keeping them somewhere you can find them again saves you from having to reset the router or dig through settings later.

If you share your network with family, roommates, or guests, they will need both pieces of information to connect. If you want to change either one, you do that through the router admin panel, not through Windows settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my network password if I am not logged into Windows right now?

No. Credential Manager only shows passwords for the Windows account currently logged in. If someone else set up the network on a different account, you will not see it in your Credential Manager. You would need to log into that account or check the router directly.

What is the difference between my network password and my Windows password?

Your network password lets devices connect to your WiFi. Your Windows password lets you log into this computer. They are completely separate. Changing one does not affect the other.

If I reset my router, will I lose internet?

Only temporarily. The router will restart and return to factory settings, which takes a few minutes. Once it restarts, you can reconnect using the default password on the sticker. You will have internet again as soon as you reconnect.

Can I change my network password without resetting the router?

Yes. Log into your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1), find the WiFi or Wireless settings section, and change the password there. The new password takes effect when ready, and all connected devices will be disconnected until they reconnect with the new password.

What if Credential Manager shows my password but it does not work when I try to connect?

The saved password may be outdated if someone changed it on the router after Windows saved it. Try the password on the router sticker instead, or log into the router admin panel to see what the current password is set to.