How to view your Wi-Fi password on your computer: all working methods

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password and there's no sticker with the connection details on your router? Or do you need to share your network with guests but can't be bothered to find the router box? In this article, you'll learn how to quickly Find a saved Wi-Fi password directly on your computer - without resetting the router or losing settings.

We will look at the official methods for Windows 10/11 And macOS, as well as alternative methods using the command line and third-party utilities. Important: All instructions only work for networks to which your PC is connected. already connected or connected previously. If the computer has never been connected to this network, you'll have to find the password on the router itself or from your ISP.

Before you begin, please check:

• 🔹 Is your computer connected to the correct Wi-Fi network (even without internet access)?
• 🔹 Do you have administrator rights (for some methods)
• 🔹 Does the antivirus block access to system files?

If you are using a public network (in a cafe, airport), these methods won't work — such networks often encrypt passwords or use portal authentication. There are no restrictions for home routers.

1. How to find your Wi-Fi password using Windows Settings (the easiest way)

This method works on Windows 10 And Windows 11 No additional software required. This is suitable if your computer is currently connected to the desired network or has previously connected to it.

Instructions:

1. Open Parameters (keys Win + I).
2. Go to the section Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
3. Click Managing known networks.
4. Select the desired network and click Properties.
5. Scroll down to the block Network parameters and press View network properties.
6. In the window that opens, find the line Network security key — this is the password. Check the box. Show entered charactersto see it.

If the buttons View network properties No, this means Windows didn't save the password (for example, you connected via WPS or a temporary profile). In this case, try the other methods in this article.

Check your network connection|Restart your computer|Run Windows as administrator|Use Command Prompt (Method 2)

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⚠️ Attention: On some corporate laptops, access to Wi-Fi passwords may be blocked by security policies (e.g. BitLocker or Domain Group Policy). In this case, you will need domain administrator rights.

2. Viewing the password via the command line (for advanced users)

If the Windows GUI does not show the password, it can be extracted via CMDThis method works even on older versions of the system (for example, Windows 7) and does not require installation of additional software.

Run the following commands in order:

netsh wlan show profiles

This command will list all saved networks. Find the name of your Wi-Fi network (case-insensitive).

Then enter:

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

Replace NETWORK_NAME with the actual name of your network (in quotation marks). In the results, find the line Key content - this is the password.

Example output (password highlighted):

...
Security parameters
Authentication type: WPA2-Personal
Encryption type: CCMP
    Key content: 1234567890
...

What to do if the command doesn't work?

If you see the error "Failed to execute command" after entering the command, check:

1. The network name is correct (case is not important, but spaces and symbols must match).

2. Is the command prompt run as administrator (right-click → "Run as administrator").

3. Is the "WLAN Automatic Configuration Service" service disabled (check in services.msc).

3. Where is the Wi-Fi password stored on macOS (for MacBook/iMac users)

On computers Apple Wi-Fi network passwords are stored in the system storage Keychain Access (Keychain). To view them, you don't need to install any third-party programs—everything can be done using standard tools.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open Spotlight (combination Cmd + Space) and enter Bunch of keys (or Keychain Access (on the English keyboard layout).
2. In the left column, select System (or Local elements, if the password is saved for the current user).
3. In the search bar, enter the name of your Wi-Fi network.
4. Double-click on the found entry.
5. Check the box Show password and enter the password for your account macOS.

If the password isn't displayed, the network may have been added via a configuration profile (for example, on corporate networks). In this case:

• 🔹 Check the section Profiles V System Preferences → General.
• 🔹 Delete your profile and reconnect to the network (you'll have to enter the password manually).

⚠️ Attention: On macOS Ventura Apple has tightened access to system passwords since 2010. If you're using a limited-privilege account (such as a guest account), Keychain may not be able to access your saved data.

4. Using third-party programs to extract passwords

If standard methods don't work, you can use specialized utilities. They're handy when you need to export all saved passwords or work with multiple networks simultaneously.

Popular programs for Windows:

• 🔹 WirelessKeyView (from NirSoft) - free, portable (no installation required), shows all saved Wi-Fi passwords.
• 🔹 WiFi Password Revealer - simple interface, export to .txt.
• 🔹 Magical Jelly Bean WiFi Password Revealer - supports Windows 7-11, there is a password recovery function.

For macOS will do WiFi Password (available in App Store). It automatically scans your keychain and displays a list of networks with passwords.

Warnings when using third-party software:

• 🔹 Download programs only from official websites (avoid torrents and unverified sources).
• 🔹 Some antiviruses (for example, Kaspersky) may block such utilities as "potentially dangerous." Add the program to the exceptions.
• 🔹 Portable versions (without installation) are preferable - they leave no traces in the system.

5. Alternative methods: router, resetting settings, provider

If none of the above methods work, there are more radical options. Their downside is that they require access to the router or interaction with the ISP.

⚠️ Attention: If you reset your router to factory settings, all connected devices (smartphones, smart speakers, cameras) will be disconnected from the network. You'll have to reconnect them with a new password.

6. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

When trying to find a Wi-Fi password, users often encounter common problems. Here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

Error 1: "Network not found in saved list."

• 🔹 Possible cause: The computer was connected to the network via WPS (button on the router) or temporary profile.
• 🔹 Solution: Reconnect to the network by entering the password manually.

Error 2: Team netsh gives "Access denied".

• 🔹 Reason: The command prompt was run without administrator rights.
• 🔹 Solution: Right-click on CMD → "Run as administrator".

Error 3: IN macOS There is no entry for the network in the keychain.

• 🔹 Reason: The network was added via a configuration profile (for example, in an office or university).
• 🔹 Solution: Delete your profile in System Preferences → Profiles and reconnect.

Error 4: Antivirus blocks access to passwords.

• 🔹 Reason: programs like NirSoft WirelessKeyView may be perceived as harmful.
• 🔹 Solution: Temporarily disable your antivirus or add the program to the exceptions list.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

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

No. All the methods described only work for networks your PC has previously connected to. If your computer has never been connected to this network, you'll need to:

• 🔹 Look at the password on the router sticker.
• 🔹 Access your router settings via your browser.
• 🔹 Contact your provider.

Is it safe to use programs like WirelessKeyView?

Programs from NirSoft (including WirelessKeyView) are safe if you download them from official websiteThey don't contain viruses, but some antivirus programs may block them due to their access to system data. To avoid risks:

• 🔹 Check the hashes of the downloaded files (they are listed on the website) NirSoft).
• 🔹 Use portable versions (no installation required).
• 🔹 Run programs in a sandbox (for example, Sandboxie).

Why is there no "View network properties" button in Windows 11?

IN Windows 11 Microsoft has changed the layout of some elements. If you don't see the button View network properties, try:

1. Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Click on the current network (the name will appear at the top).
3. Scroll down and click Equipment properties.
4. Find a string Security — the password may be displayed there.

If that doesn't work, use command line (method 2).

Is it possible to find out the password from an Android/iPhone phone?

Yes, but the methods are different:

• 🔹 Android: On most devices (eg. Samsung, Xiaomi) you need to go to Settings → Wi-Fi, select the network and press ShareThe system will request a PIN or fingerprint and display a QR code with a password.
• 🔹 iPhone: IN iOS There is no built-in way to view the password. But if you have Mac, you can synchronize passwords through iCloud Keychain and watch them in Keychain.

For Android There are also apps like WiFi Password Viewer, but they require root rights.

What should I do if my password is displayed as dots or asterisks?

If you see the password in the format ••••••••, which means the system is hiding it. To see the symbols:

• 🔹 In Windows: in the network properties window, check the box Show entered characters.
• 🔹 In macOS: V Keychain check the box Show password and enter your account password.
• 🔹 In command line the password is displayed immediately in a readable form (line Key Content or Key content).

If there is no check mark, try copying the password (even as dots) and pasting it into a text editor - sometimes the characters are displayed correctly.