How to Pick a Wi-Fi Key on a Computer: All the Working Methods

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password and there's no code sticker on your router? Or need to connect a new device but haven't written down the security key anywhere? This situation is familiar to many, especially if someone else set up the network or the password was entered years ago. Luckily, Wi-Fi key can be easily found directly on your computer if it has connected to this network at least once. In this article, we'll look at 5 reliable ways — from standard Windows tools to hidden macOS functions and even access through router settings.

It is important to understand that we are talking specifically about recovering a password already known to the computer, and not about hacking other people's networks. All methods are legal and only work on networks to which your PC has previously connected. If you're trying to access someone else's access point, it's illegal (regulated in Russia). Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (regarding unauthorized access to computer information).

The instructions below are valid for Windows 10/11 And macOS Ventura/Monterey/Sonoma, as well as most modern routers (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, Xiaomi, Tenda etc.). Let's start with the simplest methods—they'll work 90% of the time.

1. How to view your Wi-Fi password using Windows Settings (a beginner's method)

If your computer is connected to the network right now (or has been connected before), the fastest way is to use the built-in settings WindowsThis method does not require administrator rights and works even on limited accounts.

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

1. Click More network parameters (at the bottom of the page).
2. Select Network and Sharing Center.
3. Click on the name of your network (next to Connections).
4. In the window that opens, click Wireless network properties → tab Security.
5. Check the box Show entered characters — the password will be displayed in the field Network security key.

If the password field is inactive or the button Properties If it doesn't click, your account doesn't have permission to view it. In this case, proceed to the next method.

2. Recovering the key via the Command Line (universal method)

Command line (CMD) is a powerful tool that allows you to retrieve the password for any saved network, even if the computer is not currently connected to it. This method works on all versions. Windows from 7 to 11.

Open Command line as administrator (click Win + X → Terminal (administrator)) and execute two commands in turn:

netsh wlan show profiles

This command will list all the networks your PC has ever connected to. Find the name you need (SSID) and copy it exactly (case sensitive!) Then enter:

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

Replace NAZVANIE_SETI to the copied name. In the execution results, find the line Key content - this is your password.

What should I do if the command line says "Access denied"?

This means your account does not have administrative rights. Try running CMD as administrator (right-click → "Run as administrator") or use an account with rights adminIf this doesn't help, check if the service is disabled. Automatic WLAN configuration (enter in CMD: sc query Wlansvc — the status must be RUNNING).

⚠️ Attention: If you are using a corporate network with certificates (WPA2-Enterprise), this method will not reveal the password - it is stored in encrypted form in the system storage.

3. Viewing saved passwords in macOS (for Mac users)

On computers Apple All Wi-Fi network passwords are stored in the system storage "Bunch of keys"To view them:

1. Open the app Spotlight (combination Cmd + Space) and enter Bunch of keys.
2. In the left menu, select System → Passwords.
3. In the search bar, enter the name of your network (SSID).
4. Double-click on the found entry and check the box Show password.
5. Enter your account password Mac (if required).

If the network isn't listed, it means your computer hasn't connected to it. In this case, try finding the password on another device (for example, iPhone, if it connected to this network) or use the method through the router (section 5).

4. Using third-party programs to recover passwords

If standard methods don't work, you can use specialized utilities. They are convenient because they show all saved passwords in one window and often offer additional features (such as export to a file).

The most popular programs:

• 🔹 WirelessKeyView (from NirSoft) - free, portable (no installation required), displays passwords in a table with the ability to copy.
• 🔹 WiFi Password Revealer - simple interface, supports export to .txt.
• 🔹 Magical Jelly Bean WiFi Password Revealer - suitable for Windows 7-11, there is a paid version with advanced features.

How to use WirelessKeyView:

1. Download the program from official website (take the version for your system bitness - x64 or x86).
2. Unzip and run WirelessKeyView.exe (administrator rights are not required).
3. In the table, find the required network by column Network Name (SSID).
4. The password will be in the column Key (Ascii).

⚠️ Attention: Download programs only from the official websites of the developers. Utilities from NirSoft are often blocked by antivirus programs due to suspicious behavior (they read system data), but they themselves do not contain viruses. If in doubt, check the file for VirusTotal.

5. How to find out the password through the router settings (if you don't have access to a computer)

If none of the previous methods helped (for example, the computer has never been connected to the network), the last option remains - go to router web interfaceTo do this:

1. Connect your computer to the router via cable (Ethernet) or via Wi-Fi (if you know the temporary password).
2. Open your browser and enter your router's IP address in the address bar. This is usually:
   • 192.168.0.1 (For TP-Link, ASUS, D-Link)
   • 192.168.1.1 (For Keenetic, Zyxel, Tenda)
   • 192.168.8.1 (For Xiaomi, Mercusys)

Enter your username and password to log in. By default, this is often admin/admin or admin/1234For exact data, see the router sticker.

Go to the Wi-Fi settings section (usually Wireless, Wi-Fi or Wireless network).

Find the field Password, Key or PSK — there will be the current security key.

If you can't log into your router (forgot your login/password), you'll have to do factory resetTo do this:

1. Press and hold the button Reset on the back panel of the router (10-15 seconds).
2. After rebooting, log in using the standard login/password (see sticker).
3. Reset your network - create a new password and write it down!

Router brand	Default IP address	Default login/password
TP-Link	192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1	admin/admin
ASUS	192.168.1.1	admin/admin
Keenetic	192.168.1.1	admin/1234
Xiaomi	192.168.31.1	No login required, password on the sticker
D-Link	192.168.0.1	admin/(empty) or admin/admin

⚠️ Attention: After resetting your router, all settings (including Wi-Fi passwords, ISP binding, ports, etc.) will return to factory defaults. If you PPPoE connection (for example, from Rostelecom or Beeline), you will have to re-enter your provider's login/password—they can be found in your contract or personal account.

6. Alternative methods: phone, QR code, and backups

If you don't have access to a computer but have other devices connected to the network, try these methods:

• 📱 Android: Install the application WiFi Password Viewer (required) root rights) or look at the password in the router settings through the browser.
• 🍎 iPhone/iPad: Go to Settings → Wi-Fi, click on the sign ! next to the network and select Copy password (works on iOS 16+).
• 🖼️ QR code: On some routers (Keenetic, ASUS) The password is displayed as a QR code on the sticker. Scan it with any reader (for example, Google Lens).
• 💾 Backups: If you made a system backup (Windows or macOS), passwords could be saved in configuration files. Windows they are stored in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Wlansvc\Profiles\Interfaces (admin rights required).

Make sure you have your ISP login/password.

Take a photo of your current settings (IP, DNS, ports)

Check if there are any important devices linked (cameras, printers)

Prepare a spare cable for connecting to a PC-->

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

When recovering a password, users often encounter typical problems. Here are the most common ones and their solutions:

• 🔌 "Unable to access network properties": Make sure you're logged in using an account with administrator privileges. If this is a work computer, contact your IT department.
• 🔍 "Team netsh "doesn't show password": Please check that you entered the network name correctly (case-sensitive!). If the name contains spaces, enclose it in quotation marks: name="My WiFi".
• 🚫 "I can't log into my router": Try a different browser (for example, Firefox or Edge), disable your VPN and check if your firewall is blocking access.
• 🔄 "After resetting the router, the Internet doesn't work": This means that the connection to the provider is not configured. Enter the details from the contract (usually PPPoE with login/password) or call support.

If your router displays an "Incorrect Password" error when you try to access its settings, but you're sure you're entering the correct information, try connecting to it via cable—sometimes the web interface blocks Wi-Fi access for security reasons.

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, this is not possible legally. The password is stored only on devices that have connected to the network or in the router settings. If you don't have access to either of these, you'll have to reset the router and set up the network again.

I reset my router and now I don't know my ISP login or password. What should I do?

Internet connection data (usually PPPoE, L2TP or Dynamic IP) are specified in your contract with your provider. If you don't have a contract, call support—they'll remind you of your login (often your contract number or phone number) and help you reset your password. Some providers (for example, MTS or Beeline) this data is duplicated in your personal account on the website.

The password in the router settings is displayed as asterisks. How can I see it?

Most routers have a checkbox next to the password field. Show symbols or Show PasswordIf it is not there, try:

1. Copy the asterisks (sometimes the real password is displayed when you paste it into notepad).
2. View page source (Ctrl + U) and find the line with type="password" - sometimes the password is visible there.
3. Use a browser extension ShowPassword (does not work on all router models).

Is it possible to recover the password if the router is broken?

If the router is physically faulty (does not turn on, does not respond to reset), but you have a computer that has connected to the network before, use the methods for Windows or macOS from this article. If none of the devices remember the password, you'll have to buy a new router and set up the network from scratch.

Are password recovery programs safe to use?

Programs like WirelessKeyView They are safe if downloaded from official websites. They don't send data over the network, but simply read information from system files. Windows. However:

• Some antivirus programs may block them as "suspicious" (due to accessing password storage).
• Do not use pirated or modified versions - they may contain viruses.
• On a work computer, running such utilities may violate corporate security policy.