How to view your Wi-Fi password on Windows 10: all the methods, from simple to complex

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and the sticker on your router has worn off? Or need to connect a new device, but you don't have the password written down anywhere? Windows 10 There are several ways to retrieve a saved network password—and you don't need to be an IT professional to do it. In most cases, standard system tools are sufficient, without installing third-party software.

In this article we will analyze 5 working methods: from viewing through a graphical interface to using the command line and PowerShellWe'll also explain why some methods may not work (for example, if you've never connected to the network from this PC) and what to do in such cases. Important: All instructions are valid for Windows 10 any build, including the latest updates.

If you urgently need to connect another device and don't have access to the router, start with the first method. It's the fastest and doesn't require knowledge of commands. For experienced users, we'll provide alternative options. netsh and scripts.

Method 1: Via Windows Settings (the easiest)

This method is suitable if your PC already connected to the Wi-Fi network whose password you want to know. Interface Windows 10 Allows you to view saved passwords without any additional tools—you just need to know where to look.

Open the menu Start and go to Settings → Network & Internet → Status → Network and Sharing CenterAlternatively, you can right-click on the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray (next to the clock) and select Open network settings, and then press Network and Sharing Center.

  • 📌 In the window that opens, find the section Active networks and click on the name of your Wi-Fi network (it will be marked as Connected).
  • 🔗 In the new window, click the button Wireless network properties.
  • 🔐 Go to the tab Security and put a check mark next to Show entered characters. The password will be displayed in the field. Network security key.

If the button Wireless network properties is inactive or missing, it means your PC is connected to the network via cable (Ethernet), not Wi-Fi. In this case, try Method 3 (via command line).

Method 2: Via Network Information (Alternative Graphical Method)

This option is a bit longer, but it also doesn't require any command knowledge. It's useful if the first method didn't work due to the interface specifics of your version. Windows 10.

Open Control Panel (can be found through the search in the menu) Start) and go to the section Network and Internet → Network and Sharing CenterHere, click on the active connection (the name of your Wi-Fi network) and in the new window, select Intelligence.

  • 📋 In the window Network connection information pay attention to the field Encryption. If it is indicated there WPA2-Personal or WPA3-Personal, then the password can be extracted.
  • 🔄 Go back one step (to the network status window) and click Wireless network properties, as in the first method.
  • 🔑 On the tab Security Re-enable the display of symbols.

If in Network information the security type is specified Open or WEP, this means the network is either not password protected at all or is using an outdated protocol. In this case, the password may not be saved in the system or will need to be reset on the router.

📊 How often do you forget your Wi-Fi passwords?
Often, you have to reset the router
Sometimes, but I remember
There is always a note nearby
I never forget

Method 3: via command line (netsh)

If graphical methods don't work (for example, due to security policy restrictions on your work PC), help will come command lineThis method is universal and works even in Windows 10 LTSC or corporate editorial offices.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Administrator) or Windows PowerShell (Administrator). Enter the following command:

netsh wlan show profiles

You'll see a list of all Wi-Fi networks this PC has ever connected to. Find the desired network in the list and copy its name. exactly according to the symbols (case sensitive!) Then run:

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

In the execution results, find the section Security parameters - there will be a line Key contentThis is your password.

Run Command Prompt as Administrator

Make sure the PC has previously connected to the desired network

Copy the network name without errors

Check the "Security Settings" section in the output-->

⚠️ Attention: If the command output displays asterisks (), then your account does not have sufficient rights to view it. Try running the command prompt as a built-in administrator (via Computer management) or use Method 4.

Method 4: Using PowerShell (for advanced users)

PowerShell — a more powerful tool than the classic command line. It can be used to extract passwords from all saved Wi-Fi networks in one command, which is convenient for diagnostics or backup.

Open PowerShell as administrator (similar to the command line) 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 -AutoSize

This command automatically:

  • 🔍 Gets a list of all Wi-Fi profiles.
  • 🔑 Extracts passwords for each profile.
  • 📊 Displays results in a table with network names and passwords.

If you need to save passwords to a file (for example, for a backup), add the following to the end of the command:

| Out-File -FilePath "C:\WiFi_Passwords.txt"

File WiFi_Passwords.txt will appear on the disk C: with a list of all networks and passwords.

What should I do if PowerShell gives me an error?

If you see the message "The operation could not be completed because the user does not have sufficient privileges," your account is not part of the Administrators group. Try:

1. Temporarily enable the built-in administrator account using the command net user administrator /active:yes (then log out and log back in).

2. Launch PowerShell from under Systems (through PsExec from the package Sysinternals).

3. Use Method 5 (view through registry).

Method 5: Via the Windows Registry (for advanced users)

All passwords for Wi-Fi networks in Windows 10 are stored in encrypted form in the registry. They can be extracted manually, but this will require decryption Using system functions. This method is suitable if other methods have failed (for example, due to corrupted network profiles).

Open Registry Editor: Click Win + R, enter regedit and confirm. Follow the path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Wlansvc\Interfaces\

Here you will see several folders with long names (these are network interface IDs). Each folder has a subsection Profiles, where data about Wi-Fi networks is stored. Find the desired network and pay attention to the parameter Profile (type REG_BINARY). This is where the password is encrypted.

Registry parameter Description How to use
Profile Binary data with network settings, including password Needs to be exported and decoded (see below)
SSID Wi-Fi network name Helps to identify the required profile
KeyMaterial Encrypted password (if any) Can be decoded via PowerShell

To decode a password:

  1. Export the network profile section (right click → Export).
  2. Open the received .reg-file in notepad and find the line with KeyMaterial.
  3. Copy the hexadecimal value after hex: (without spaces).
  4. Use PowerShell for decoding: 
    [System.Text.Encoding]::Unicode.GetString((0..(($hex -split ',').Length-1) | %{[Convert]::ToByte($($hex -split ',')[$_],16)}))

    (Where $hex - your copied value).

⚠️ Attention: Editing the registry may cause system instability. Before making changes Be sure to create a restore point (Win + R → rstrui). If you are not sure about your actions, use Method 3 (netsh).

What to do if none of the methods worked?

If you have tried all the methods but still cannot extract the password, the cause may be one of the following factors:

  • 🚫 Your PC never connected to this Wi-Fi network (the password is simply not saved in the system).
  • 🔒 On a work PC, they work corporate security policies, blocking access to passwords.
  • 🗑️ The network profile is damaged or has been deleted (for example, after resetting network settings).
  • 🔄 The router uses dynamic keys (for example, in guest networks or enterprises) that change with each connection.

In such cases, there are two options left:

  1. Reset your router settings (button Reset on the back panel) and reconfigure it. This is a radical method, but it's guaranteed to work.
  2. Connect to the router via cable and view the password in its web interface (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, login/password — admin/admin).

If the router belongs to the provider (for example, Rostelecom, Beeline, MTS), it may be enabled remote accessThis means that the password can only be found through your personal account on the provider's website or by calling support.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to find out the password for the Wi-Fi I connected to a year ago?

Yes, if the network profile has not been deleted. Windows 10 stores information about all connections until you manually clear the list. Use Method 3 (netsh wlan show profiles) to see the full list of saved networks.

Why are there asterisks instead of a password in the command line?

This means your account doesn't have sufficient permissions. Try:

  1. Run the command prompt as a built-in administrator (via Computer management).
  2. Temporarily add your account to a group Administrators.
  3. Use PowerShell with elevated rights (see Method 4).
Is it possible to find out my neighbor's Wi-Fi password?

No, if you've never connected to its network. Windows Stores only passwords entered on this device. Attempts to hack into other people's networks are illegal and may result in liability under Article 272 of the Russian Criminal Code ("Unauthorized access to computer information").

How to save all Wi-Fi passwords for future use?

Use the command from Method 4 (PowerShell) to export the list to a file. You can also manually create a text document and enter the following into it:

  • Network name (SSID).
  • Password (Key).
  • Security type (WPA2/WPA3).

Store the file in a secure location (for example, in an encrypted archive or cloud storage with two-factor authentication).

Why did my Wi-Fi passwords reset after a Windows update?

This happens rarely, but is possible when:

  • Critical system failure (for example, when an update is interrupted).
  • Manually clearing network profiles through netsh wlan delete profile name=*.
  • Using programs to “optimize” the system, which remove “unnecessary” data.

To restore access, connect to the router via cable and reconfigure Wi-Fi or reset the router to factory settings.

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