How to view your laptop's Wi-Fi password: all the methods for Windows and macOS

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and the sticker on your router has worn off? Or need to connect a new device but can't be bothered to find the piece of paper with the code? Don't rush to reset your router— The Wi-Fi password is already saved on your laptop., if you've ever connected to this network. In this article, we'll cover all the current methods for extracting it from the system, using standard tools. Windows And macOS to alternative methods for experienced users.

The problem is that operating systems hide passwords with asterisks (••••••••) is a security measure. However, with administrator rights or through special commands, you can bypass this restriction. Important: The methods only work for networks to which the laptop has already connected.If you've never logged into this network, you'll have to find the password on your router or from your ISP.

A word of warning: some methods require administrator rights or command line knowledge. If the laptop is not yours (e.g., a work laptop), Check with the network owner for permission to view the password - otherwise it may violate corporate security policy.

1. The standard method for Windows 10 and 11 is via Network Settings.

The easiest method is to use the built-in menu WindowsIt doesn't require any additional software and is suitable even for beginners. Here's how:

Open Windows Settings (keys Win + I) and go to the section Network and Internet → Wi-FiScroll down and click Managing known networks. A list of all saved access points will be displayed here.

Select the desired network and click PropertiesIn the window that opens, find the line Network password - there will be a button nearby Show symbolsAfter clicking, the real password will be revealed (you may need to enter your account password Windows).

Open Settings (Win + I) | Go to Network & Internet → Wi-Fi | Click Manage known networks | Select the desired network and open Properties | Click Show characters next to the password -->

⚠️ Attention: If the button Show symbols If the account is inactive, it means your account doesn't have administrator rights. In this case, use the command line method (section 3) or request permission from the laptop owner.

2. View the password through the Network and Sharing Center (alternative for Windows 7/8/10)

This method works in all versions. Windows, including legacy ones. It takes a little longer, but it's more reliable—sometimes new updates break the Settings interface, while Network and Sharing Center remains stable.

Right-click on the Wi-Fi icon in the tray (bottom right of the taskbar) and select Open Network and Internet settingsIn the window that opens, scroll to the block Additional network settings and press Additional sharing options. Select from the menu on the left Managing wireless networks.

Then proceed as follows:

• 🔍 Find the desired network in the list and click on it right click, then select Properties.
• 🔐 Go to the tab Security.
• 👁️ Check the box next to Show entered characters — the password will be displayed in the field Network security key.

If the tab Security is missing, this means the network uses open access without a password (which is unlikely for home routers) or the network profile is damaged.

Windows 11|Windows 10|Windows 8/8.1|Windows 7|Other-->

3. Command Prompt: A Universal Method for All Windows Versions

If the graphical interface doesn't work or you prefer console commands, this method is your choice. It even works on server editions. Windows and does not depend on interface updates.

Open command prompt as administrator (find cmd in the search, right-click and select Run as administrator). Enter the command:

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

Replace NETWORK_NAME the name of your Wi-Fi network (case is not important). For example, for the network TP-Link_1234 the command will be:

netsh wlan show profile name="TP-Link_1234" key=clear

In the execution results, find the block Security parameters - line Key content (Key Content) and will be your password.

⚠️ Attention: This method displays the password in clear text in the console. If someone is watching your screen, close the window after viewing it or use cls to clear the screen.

4. How to find the Wi-Fi password on a macOS laptop

On MacBook or other laptops from Apple the process is even simpler than in Windows. System macOS stores all passwords in the keychain (Keychain Access), and they can be viewed in a few clicks.

Open the app Bunch of keys (find through Spotlight upon request Keychain Access). In the left menu, select System, then in the right part of the window find the name of your Wi-Fi network (in the column Name). Double-click on the entry.

In the window that opens, check the box next to Show passwordThe system will ask for your account password. Mac - enter it and in the field Show password The network security key will be displayed.

• 🍎 If the field is empty, it means the network is saved without a password (open access point).
• 🔒 If the checkbox is checked Show password is inactive, you do not have administrator rights.
• 🔄 If the password doesn't work, try reconnecting to the network - sometimes macOS resets saved data.

5. Alternative methods: third-party programs and scripts

If standard methods fail (for example, due to corrupted system files), specialized utilities can be used. These are useful when you need to export all saved passwords or work with multiple networks.

Popular programs for viewing Wi-Fi passwords:

⚠️ Attention: Download programs only from the official websites of the developers. Utilities from NirSoft (For example, WirelessKeyView) are often blocked by antivirus programs due to suspicious behavior (they read system data), but they are not viruses in themselves. If in doubt, use built-in OS methods or check files on VirusTotal before launching.

How to check a program for viruses?

Download the utility from the official website, but don't run it. Open VirusTotal (https://www.virustotal.com), upload the downloaded file, and wait for the scan results from 50+ antivirus programs. If at least 2-3 antivirus programs detect a threat, do not use the program.

6. If nothing works: resetting the router and alternative solutions

In rare cases, the password may not be displayed in any of the above ways. This occurs if:

• 🖥️ The network profile is damaged (for example, after a failure Windows).
• 🔌 The laptop was connected to the network via WPS (button on the router), not by password.
• 🔄 The password was changed on the router after last time the laptop was connected.

In such situations, there are two options left:

1. Reset the router to factory settings (button Reset on the back panel and hold for 10-15 seconds). After the reset, the network name and password will return to the default ones (indicated on the router sticker).
2. Connect to the router via cable and view the password in the web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1, login/password — admin/admin).

⚠️ Attention: Resetting the router will disconnect all users from the network and return the provider settings (including the connection type, PPPoE/DHCP). If you don't know your internet connection settings, contact your provider's technical support after the reset.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about viewing Wi-Fi passwords

Is it possible to find out the password for a Wi-Fi network that the laptop has never connected to?

No. All of the above methods only work for networks whose data is stored on the device. If the laptop has never connected to the network, the password can only be found:

• On the router sticker (if it hasn’t been changed).
• In the router's web interface (requires cable access or the current Wi-Fi password).
• From the network administrator (provider, if it is a corporate network).

Why is there no Security tab in Network Properties?

This happens in three cases:

1. The network does not require a password (open access point).
2. The network profile is corrupted (try deleting the network and connecting again).
3. You are using an account without administrator rights.

Solution: Try the command line method (section 3) or log in as administrator.

Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password from an Android phone or iPhone?

Yes, but the methods are different:

• Android: Starting with version 10, you can view the password in the Wi-Fi settings (click on the network → Share → enter the device PIN). On older versions, you need root access.
• iPhone: It's impossible without jailbreak. Apple does not provide access to saved passwords through the iOS interface.

Is it safe to use third-party password viewers?

Most utilities (eg. WirelessKeyView) simply read data from system files Windows and do not send them to the network. However:

• Download programs only from official websites.
• Check files on VirusTotal before launch.
• Avoid utilities that require you to disable your antivirus.

For maximum security, use built-in OS methods (sections 1-4).

What should I do if my password is displayed as hieroglyphs or gibberish?

This means that the character encoding in the system is corrupted. Solutions:

1. Please restart your laptop and try again.
2. Use the command line method - it usually displays the characters correctly.
3. If your password contains Cyrillic characters, try entering it manually, replacing the characters with Russian letters (for example, пароль → password).