Where to find the Wi-Fi password on a Windows laptop: all the methods

Forgot your Wi-Fi password? No problem!

You have connected your laptop to your home or office network. Wi-Fi You used to have a Wi-Fi connection years ago, and now you need to connect a new gadget—a smartphone, tablet, or smart speaker. But here's the problem: the Wi-Fi password has long since been erased from your memory, and the sticker with the code on the router has faded or is missing altogether. Sound familiar? Don't rush to reset your router or call your provider!

IN Windows (regardless of version - 7, 10 or 11) All saved wireless network passwords are stored in the system. They can be extracted without special programs using built-in tools. In this article, we'll look at 5 proven methodsHow to view the password Wi-Fi on a laptop: from the simplest, using a graphical interface, to advanced methods using the command line and scripts. We'll also tell you what to do if your laptop never connected to the required network - This case requires a separate approach.

Important: All methods only work for networks to which the laptop is connected. I've already connected beforeIf you're looking for someone else's network password (for example, a neighbor's), these instructions won't help—that requires other tools (and is often illegal).

Method 1: Via Network Settings (the easiest)

This method does not require administrator rights and is suitable for Windows 10/11Everything here is done through a graphical interface—no commands or terminals.

Open the menu Start and go to Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi. In the section Related Parameters select Additional network settings. Next:

1. Find your network name in the list (SSID) and click on it.
2. In the window that opens, click the button View network properties.
3. Scroll down to the section Security Settings.
4. Check the box next to Show entered characters — the password will become visible.

Done! Now you can copy or rewrite the password. If the button View network properties If the password is inactive, your account doesn't have permission to view passwords. In this case, try the following method.

⚠️ Attention: In Windows 7 This method doesn't work - use Method 2 or Method 3.

Method 2: Via the Network and Sharing Center (for Windows 7/10/11)

The classic method that works in all versions WindowsIt's a little more complicated than the previous one, but more reliable—especially if you have an older system.

Open Control Panel (can be found through the search in the menu) Start). Go to the section Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center. Next:

• 🔹 In the left menu, select Changing adapter settings.
• 🔹 Find an active connection Wi-Fi (usually it is called Wireless network or Wi-Fi) and click on it right mouse button.
• 🔹 Select Status → Wireless Properties.
• 🔹 Go to the tab Security and check the box Show entered characters.

The password will be displayed in the field. Network security key. If the button Wireless properties Inactive means the laptop is not currently connected to the network. Connect to Wi-Fi and repeat the steps.

Is the laptop connected to the correct Wi-Fi network?

Do you have administrator rights (if the checkbox is inactive)?

Is the network name (SSID) visible in the list of connections?

Have you tried refreshing the network list (F5 key)?-->

Method 3: via command line (universal for all Windows)

If graphical methods don't work, help will come command lineThis method works even without a network connection - the main thing is that the laptop Have you ever connected to it before?.

Open Command line as administrator (find it through the search, right-click and select Run as administrator). Enter the command:

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

Replace NETWORK_NAME to the name of your network (SSID). For example, if the network is called MyWiFi_5G, the command will be:

netsh wlan show profile name="MyWiFi_5G" key=clear

After running the command, find the line in the results Key content — this is your password. If you don't remember the network name, first run the command:

netsh wlan show profiles

This will list all saved networks. Copy the desired name and use it in the first command.

⚠️ Note: On some corporate networks, passwords may be stored encrypted and not displayed even through the command line. This is due to domain security policies.

Method 4: Via PowerShell (alternative to the command line)

PowerShell — a more powerful tool than the standard command line. It also allows you to extract passwords from Wi-Fi, and sometimes it works even where netsh refuses.

Open PowerShell as administrator (find it through search, right-click → Run as administrator). Enter the command:

(netsh wlan show profiles) | Select-String "\:(.+)$" | %{$name=$_.Matches.Groups[1].Value.Trim(); $_} | %{(netsh wlan show profile name=$name key=clear)} | Select-String "Key contents\W+\:(.+)$" | %{$pass=$_.Matches.Groups[1].Value.Trim(); [PSCustomObject]@{PROFILE=$name;PASSWORD=$pass}} | Format-Table -AutoSize

This command will automatically output a table with all saved networks and their passwords. If you only need the password for one network, use the simplified version:

(netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK_NAME" key=clear) -Match 'Key Contents'

Replace NETWORK_NAME to the desired one SSIDThe result will be similar to the command line, but with more convenient formatting.

Method 5: Using third-party programs (if nothing helps)

If built-in tools Windows If these don't work, you can use specialized utilities. They're convenient because they display all saved passwords in one window and often allow you to export them to a file.

The most popular programs:

• 🔐 WirelessKeyView (from NirSoft) - free, portable (no installation required), shows all passwords in a table.
• 🔐 WiFi Password Revealer — a simple utility with the ability to copy passwords to the clipboard.
• 🔐 Magical Jelly Bean WiFi Password Revealer - supports export of passwords to .txt or .csv.

Download any of these programs from the official website (avoid third-party sources—they may contain viruses!). Run the utility as administrator, and it will automatically display all saved networks and their passwords. The main advantage of this method is no need to remember network names or enter commands.

⚠️ Warning: Antivirus programs may block utilities like WirelessKeyView, considering them potentially dangerous (due to accessing system data). This is a false positive—add the program to your antivirus exclusions.

Via "Network Settings" (Method 1)

Via the Network and Sharing Center (Method 2)

Via the command line (Method 3)

Via PowerShell (Method 4)

Using third-party programs (Method 5)-->

What to do if the laptop has never connected to the desired network?

All the methods described above only work for networks to which the laptop is connected. I've already connected beforeBut what if you need the password for a network you've never connected to? For example, Wi-Fi at a cafe or at your neighbor's?

In this case, there are several options:

• 📋 View password on another device, which connected to this network (smartphone, tablet, second laptop). Android for this you need root rights or special applications like WiFi Password Viewer.
• 🔧 Reset settings router to factory settings (button) Reset on the back panel) - after this you will be able to connect using the standard password (usually indicated on the sticker).
• 📞 Contact to the provider - If it's home Internet, they can remind you of the password over the phone (identity verification will be required).

Attempting to hack someone else's Wi-Fi network without permission is a violation of the law (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - unauthorized access to computer information). Don't use dubious programs or instructions from the internet that promise to "hack Wi-Fi in 5 minutes"—this is not only illegal, but also dangerous for your device (risk of catching viruses).

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

(netsh wlan show profiles) | Select-String "\:(.+)$" | %{$name=$_.Matches.Groups[1].Value.Trim(); $_} | %{(netsh wlan show profile name=$name key=clear)} | Select-String "Key contents\W+\:(.+)$" | %{$pass=$_.Matches.Groups[1].Value.Trim(); [PSCustomObject]@{PROFILE=$name;PASSWORD=$pass}} | Export-Csv -Path "C:\wifi_passwords.csv" -NoTypeInformation -Encoding UTF8

sudo cat /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/NETWORK_NAME | grep psk=