Where Windows 10 Stores Your Network Credentials

Windows 10 keeps your saved network passwords in the Credential Manager, a built-in tool that stores login information for websites, apps, and WiFi networks. You cannot see the actual password characters once they are saved — Windows hides them for security — but you can view the network name and recover the password through a few different routes depending on what you need.

The method you use depends on whether you are trying to find a password you saved on your own computer, recover a password you forgot, or view credentials for a network you are currently connected to. Each approach takes a different path through Windows settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Credential Manager in Windows 10 stores WiFi passwords, but displays them as hidden dots — you must use a specific tool or setting to reveal the actual characters.
  • The fastest way to see a saved password is through WiFi settings: go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, select your network, and click Properties.
  • If you need the password for a network you are currently connected to, right-click the network icon in the taskbar, select Open Network & Internet Settings, then follow the WiFi settings path.
  • For networks you no longer remember, you may need to reset the router or contact your internet provider, since Windows cannot recover a password you never saved.
  • The username for most home WiFi networks is "admin" or appears on a sticker on your router — it is not the same as your Windows login name.

Viewing a Saved WiFi Password Through Settings

The simplest route is through Windows Settings. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then select the Settings app. Go to Network & Internet, then click WiFi in the left sidebar.

Under "Manage known networks," you will see a list of every network your computer has connected to before. Click the network whose password you need. A new window opens showing the network name and a Properties button. Click Properties, then scroll down to the "Security type" section. You will see a field labeled Security key with dots instead of characters. Click the eye icon next to it to reveal the actual password in plain text.

This method works only for networks you have already connected to on this computer. If you are setting up a new network or connecting to one for the first time, you will need the password from somewhere else — usually a sticker on the router or from whoever set up the network.

Finding Your Router's Admin Username and Password

Your router's username and password are different from your WiFi password. The router username is the login you use to access the router's settings page, where you can change WiFi names, passwords, and other network features. For most home routers, the default username is admin and the default password is either admin, password, or blank.

Check the bottom or back of your router for a sticker with the default login information printed on it. Many routers also include this information in the instruction manual or on a card that came in the box. If you changed these credentials after setup and cannot remember them, you will need to reset the router to factory defaults — a process that erases all your custom settings and returns the username and password to the defaults listed on the sticker.

To reset most routers, locate the small reset button (usually recessed so you need a paperclip to press it), hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on, then release. The router will restart and return to factory settings. Check your router's manual for the exact reset procedure, as some models differ.

Using Credential Manager to View Stored Passwords

Credential Manager is Windows' central storage for all saved passwords. Open it by pressing the Windows key, typing "credential manager," and selecting the app. Click Windows Credentials to see saved network and website passwords.

Look for entries labeled with your network name. Click the arrow next to an entry to expand it and see more details. You will see fields for username and password, but the password field shows dots. Click Show next to the password field to reveal the actual characters. Windows may ask you to confirm your Windows login password before displaying it.

Credential Manager also stores passwords for websites and other services, so you may see many entries. Focus on ones that match your network name or router address (usually something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).

Recovering a Password You Never Saved

If your computer never connected to the network before, or if you cleared your saved passwords, Windows has no record to show you. In this case, you have two options: reset the router to factory defaults (which erases all custom settings), or contact whoever set up the network originally.

If the network is your own home WiFi and you set it up but forgot the password, resetting the router is the most direct path. After reset, you will use the default credentials on the router sticker to log in and set a new WiFi password. If the network belongs to someone else — a workplace, school, or friend's house — ask them for the password instead of resetting their equipment.

Your internet service provider can also help if you cannot access your own router. Call the number on your bill, explain that you need to reset your router, and they can walk you through the process or send a technician if needed.

Why Windows Hides Passwords and When You Actually Need Them

Windows hides saved passwords to prevent someone with physical access to your computer from easily stealing them. Even if another person sits down at your machine, they cannot straightforward look at Settings and read your WiFi password — they would need to know your Windows login password first.

You actually need to see your WiFi password in only a few situations: connecting a new device to your network, sharing the password with a guest, or troubleshooting a connection problem. For most daily use, Windows handles the password automatically once it is saved. If you find yourself needing to look it up often, consider writing it down in a find place or using a password manager.

Troubleshooting When You Cannot Find Your Password

If you follow the Settings path and do not see your network listed under "Manage known networks," your computer has never successfully connected to it. This is common when setting up a new network or after a fresh Windows installation. In this case, you need the password from the router itself, not from Windows.

If you see the network listed but the Properties button does not show a password field, the network may be using a connection type Windows does not display — some enterprise or business networks hide this information. Contact your network administrator for the password.

If the eye icon next to the password field does not work or asks for a password you do not remember, you may need to reset your Windows login password first. Use another administrator account on the computer, or reset Windows using a recovery key if you have one set up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my WiFi password the same as my router admin password?

No. Your WiFi password is what you type to connect devices to your network. Your router admin password is what you use to log into the router's settings page. They are separate and can be changed independently. The WiFi password is usually longer and more complex.

Can I see passwords for networks I am not connected to?

Only if your computer connected to them before and saved the password. Windows stores passwords only for networks it has successfully joined. For networks you have never connected to, you cannot retrieve the password from Windows — you need it from the router or the person who set it up.

What if I reset my router and forgot to write down my WiFi password first?

After a factory reset, the router returns to its default WiFi password, which is printed on the sticker on the back or bottom of the device. You can use that default password to connect, then log into the router settings and create a new WiFi password you will remember.

Does revealing my password in Credential Manager make my network less find?

No. Revealing a saved password on your own computer does not change the network's security. The password itself remains the same, and only someone with access to your Windows login can view it through Credential Manager. Keep your Windows password strong to protect all your saved credentials.

Can I change my WiFi password from Windows settings?

No. Windows Settings shows you the password but does not let you change it. To change your WiFi password, you must log into your router's settings page using the admin username and password, then look for the WiFi or wireless settings section. The exact steps vary by router model.