Forgot your home or office Wi-Fi password, but your computer is connected to the network? Windows 10 All saved security keys are stored in the system and can be retrieved without special software. This guide will help you restore network access on new devices without reflashing the router or resetting its settings.
We will consider 5 proven methods: from built-in tools (netsh, "Network Settings") to third-party utilities like WirelessKeyViewEach method is suitable for different situations—for example, if you need to export all passwords at once or find the key for a specific network. Important: to access this information administrator rights required.
If you are looking for a solution for Windows 11, most of the methods in this article will work there too - the differences are minimal. But for macOS or Linux other instructions will be needed.
Method 1: View your password through Windows Settings (without commands)
The simplest method is to use the system's graphical interface. It doesn't require any knowledge of commands and is suitable for users who are afraid to delve into the console.
Open the menu Start → Parameters (gear icon) → Network and InternetIn the left menu, select Wi-Fi, then press Managing known networksThis will display all the networks your computer has ever connected to.
Click on the desired network → Properties. Scroll down to the section Security parameters.Near the field Network security key there will be a button Show symbols — Click it to see the password. Done!
⚠️ Attention: If the button Show symbols is inactive, then your account does not have administrator rights. Try logging in with a different account or using command line.
- ✅ Pros: No need to enter commands, suitable for beginners.
- ❌ Cons: shows the password only for the current network (if the computer is not connected to it, the method will not work).
- 🔄 Alternative: To view all saved passwords, use Method 2.
Method 2: Command line (netsh) is a universal method
Tool netsh (Network Shell) allows you to manage network settings via the command line. With it, you can Export all saved Wi-Fi passwords at once - even for networks to which the computer has not connected for a long time.
Open Command line as administrator (click Win + X → Command Prompt (Administrator)) and enter:
netsh wlan show profilesYou will see a list of all saved networks. Copy the name of the one you need (for example, TP-Link_1234) and run:
netsh wlan show profile name="TP-Link_1234" key=clearIn the section Security parameters find the line Key content — this is the password. For export all passwords at once use the script:
for /f "skip=1 tokens=2 delims=:" %a in ('netsh wlan show profiles') do @echo %a && netsh wlan show profile name="%a" key=clear | findstr "Key contents"⚠️ Attention: Don't copy the command output containing passwords into public chats or cloud documents. Attackers can use this information to hack your network.
| Team | Description |
|---|---|
netsh wlan show profiles |
Shows a list of all saved Wi-Fi networks. |
netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK_NAME" key=clear |
Displays network details including the password (in the section Key content). |
findstr "Key Contents" |
Filters the output to only contain the password string. |
Open a command prompt as administrator|Check the list of networks with the command netsh wlan show profiles|Copy the exact network name (case-sensitive)|Use quotation marks if the network name contains spaces-->
Method 3: PowerShell – an alternative for advanced users
PowerShell — a more powerful tool than the regular command line. It allows you to Save all Wi-Fi passwords to a text file one team.
Open PowerShell as administrator (find via search on Win + S, right-click → Run as administrator) and run:
(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(); $_} | %{[PSCustomObject]@{PROFILE_NAME=$name;PASSWORD=$pass}} | Format-Table -AutoSizeTo save the result to a file wifi_passwords.txt on the desktop, add to the end of the command:
| Out-File "$env:USERPROFILE\Desktop\wifi_passwords.txt"This method is convenient for system administrators, who need a backup copy of all network keys. The file can be printed or stored in a secure location.
Method 4: Third-party programs - WirelessKeyView and similar
If you need quickly export all passwords or work with them in a user-friendly interface, use specialized utilities. One of the most popular is WirelessKeyView from NirSoft.
Download the program from official website (Free, portable version requires no installation). After launching, you'll see a table with all saved networks and their passwords. The program supports:
- 🔍 Search by network name.
- 📄 Export V
TXT,HTMLorCSV. - 🔄 Copying password to clipboard with one click.
- 🛡️ Work without installation (portable version).
WirelessKeyView reveals passwords even for networks your computer connected to years ago—the only way to recover keys for long-deleted access points.
⚠️ Attention: Antiviruses can block WirelessKeyView as "potentially unwanted software." This is a false positive—the utility is simply reading system data. Add it to your antivirus exclusions or temporarily disable protection.
How to verify the authenticity of WirelessKeyView?
NirSoft Official Website — https://www.nirsoft.netDownload the program only from there. Before the first launch, check the file hash (SHA-1) using File Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures TabThe signature must belong Nir Sofer.
Method 5: Windows Registry - for advanced users
All Wi-Fi passwords are stored in in encrypted form in the Windows registry. They can be extracted manually, but this method requires knowledge of the registry structure and the ability to work with Hex editors.
Open Registry Editor (Win + R → enter regedit). Follow the path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Wlansvc\Interfaces\Here you'll find folders with unique network adapter IDs. Find the section in each folder. Profiles, and within it are subsections with network names. The password is stored in the parameter Profile in encrypted form (in format HEX). To decrypt, you will need third-party software, for example, Mimikatz (not recommended for beginners!).
This method is only suitable for diagnostics or data recovery in extreme cases. For everyday tasks, use command line or WirelessKeyView.
Security: How to Protect Your Wi-Fi Passwords
Now that you know how to extract passwords, it is important to take care of their security. Here 3 key rules:
- Restrict access to the computer. Any user with administrator rights can see passwords. Use separate accounts for guests.
- Update your passwords regularly. Especially if other devices were connected to your network (for example, in an office or cafe).
- Disable the feature
WPSon the router. It simplifies the connection, but makes the network vulnerable to brute-force attacks.
If you suspect your password has been compromised, change it through your router's control panel (usually available at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). Use complex combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols - for example, K7#pL9!mQ2@xY.
⚠️ Attention: Don't store Wi-Fi passwords in text files on your desktop or in cloud services (e.g. Google Docs). For secure storage, use password managers like KeePass or Bitwarden.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Wi-Fi Passwords in Windows 10
Is it possible to see the password of a Wi-Fi network that the computer has never connected to?
No. Windows only stores keys for networks to which this computer has connected at least once. If the network is not listed netsh wlan show profiles, the password cannot be extracted.
Why does the command prompt show an empty value in the "Key Contents" line?
This means that the password is not saved in the system (for example, if the connection was through WPS (or guest access). Or the network uses open access without a password.
How do I transfer all my Wi-Fi passwords to a new computer?
Export them using WirelessKeyView (save in CSV), then manually enter it on the new device. Automatic transfer is only possible through a registry backup (a complex process).
Do these methods work on Windows 11?
Yes, all methods (except the registry path - it may differ) are fully compatible with Windows 11The "Settings" interface has changed slightly, but the functionality remains the same.
Is it possible to recover a password if Windows is reinstalled?
No. Reinstalling the system resets all network settings. The only way to do this is to restore a registry backup (if one was created before the reinstallation).