How to view the name of a Wi-Fi network on a Windows computer: all the methods

Forgot the name of your Wi-Fi network but need to connect a new device? Or do you need to check the network name to configure your router? View the name of your current wireless network on your PC with Windows You can do it in seconds—and you don't need to be an IT specialist. In this article, we'll cover all the current methods: from standard system tools to advanced techniques for experienced users.

Many people mistakenly believe that to view the network name, they need to go into the router settings or turn it over to look for the sticker. In fact, Windows 10 and 11 This information is publicly available—you just need to know where to look. And if you're connected to the network via cable but want to know the Wi-Fi name the router is broadcasting, there are solutions. Below, you'll find step-by-step instructions with images, warnings about common errors, and answers to frequently asked questions.

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1. The fastest way: via the Network and Sharing Center

This is a universal method that works on all versions. Windows, starting from Windows 7It doesn't require administrator rights and takes literally two clicks.

Open the taskbar (bottom bar of the screen) and find the icon Wi-Fi (a stylized antenna or signal fan). Click on it. right mouse button - an item will appear in the context menu Open Network and Internet settingsAlternatively, you can click on the icon left click and choose Network properties in the window that appears.

• 🖱️ Right-click on the Wi-Fi icon → Open network settings
• 📋 Left click → in the list of networks, click on the current one → Properties
• 🔍 In the window that opens, the network name will be indicated in the line Name (SSID)

If you have Windows 11, the interface is slightly different: after clicking on the Wi-Fi icon, you will see a tile with the network name and a button Properties. The security type is also displayed there (WPA2-Personal, WPA3 etc.), which will be useful for setting up new devices.

2. Via Windows Settings (detailed instructions)

This method takes a little longer, but it gives access to additional information about the network, for example, IP address of the router or MAC address of the adapter.

Open the menu Start and select Parameters (gear icon). Next, go to the section Network and Internet → Wi-FiOn the right side of the screen you will see a block Network properties - Click on it. There will be a line at the very top. Network name (SSID) with the desired name.

In the same window you can see:

• 📡 Security type (needed to connect new devices)
• 🌐 IPv4 address And DNS servers (useful for diagnostics)
• 🔗 Connection speed (For example, 866 Mbps)

3. Command line: for advanced users

If you prefer to work with a text console or need to automate a process (for example, for a script), use command line or PowerShell.

Open Command line (Win + R → enter cmd → Enter) and run the command:

netsh wlan show interfaces

In the execution results, find the line SSID — this is the name of your network. If you're connected to multiple networks (for example, via a VPN or virtual adapter), the information will be duplicated for each interface.

For PowerShell use this command:

(Get-NetAdapter | Where-Object {$_.MediaType -eq "Native 802.11"}).InterfaceDescription | ForEach-Object { netsh wlan show interfaces $_ }

⚠️ Attention: If you copy the network name from the command line to configure the router, make sure it does not have spaces at the beginning or end. Some router models (e.g., TP-Link Archer C6) may not save settings due to hidden characters.

4. How to find out the Wi-Fi name if connected via cable

Situation: Your PC is connected to the router via Ethernet cable, but you need to know the name Wi-Fi networks, which is distributed by the same router. Standard methods won't work here—you'll have to look into the router's settings.

Find first Router IP address:

1. Open Command line (Win + R → cmd).
2. Enter the command ipconfig and find the line Main gateway (usually it is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).

Next:

• 🌍 Open your browser and enter the found IP address into the address bar.
• 🔑 Enter your router login and password (usually admin/admin or indicated on the device sticker).
• 📡 Find the section Wi-Fi, Wireless network or Wireless — there will be the network name (SSID).

⚠️ Attention: If you've never changed your router's settings, the default Wi-Fi name is often the same as the device's model (e.g. TP-Link_1234 or Keenetic-5678). It can be found on a sticker on the back of the router, but this is only relevant if the network hasn't been renamed.

5. Third-party utilities: when standard methods are not enough

If you need to not only find out the network name, but also analyze its parameters (for example, signal level, channel or neighboring networks), use specialized programs.

Popular utilities:

• 📊 NetSpot — shows all available networks, their power and occupied channels.
• 🔍 WiFi Analyzer (from Microsoft Store) - visualizes channel load.
• 🛠️ InSSIDer — a professional tool for Wi-Fi diagnostics.

Example of working with NetSpot:

1. Download and install the program from official website.
2. Run a scan—the utility will show all networks within range, including yours.
3. Find the network labeled in the list Connected - this is your current SSID.

Unlike standard methods, third-party utilities can show hidden networks (with SSID broadcast disabled) if you have previously connected to them.

Download the utility from the official website|Disable VPN (it may distort the results)|Close background programs using the network|Start scanning in "Discovery" mode-->

6. View saved networks (if not currently connected)

Windows keeps a list of all networks your PC has ever connected to. This is useful if you want to remember the name of the Wi-Fi network at your office or at a friend's place, for example.

To see the list:

1. Open Command line as administrator (Win + X → Terminal (administrator)).
2. Enter the command:

   netsh wlan show profiles

3. Find the required network in the list and run:

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

   (replace NETWORK_NAME to the real name).

In the results you will see not only SSID, but also:

• 🔐 Password (in line Key Content)
• 📡 Security type And encryption
• 📅 Date of first connection

⚠️ Attention: Teams netsh require administrator rights. If you're working on a corporate PC, access to them may be restricted by security policies.

7. Features for laptops with two adapters

Some laptops (eg. Dell XPS or Lenovo ThinkPad) are equipped with two wireless adapters: the main one Wi-Fi and additional for mobile communications (4G/5G). In this case, the system may show multiple active connections.

To avoid confusion:

• 📱 Open device Manager (Win + X → device Manager).
• 🔍 Expand the branch Network adapters - find devices with names Wireless, Wi-Fi or WWAN.
• 📋 Remember the adapter name (for example, Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200) and compare it with the command output netsh wlan show interfaces (field Name).

If you are connected via mobile Internet (for example, a SIM card in a laptop), the network name will be displayed as the operator name (for example, MTS_RU or Beeline_4G).

8. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even with such a simple task, users sometimes encounter problems. Here are the most common ones:

• 🚫 "No Wi-Fi connections" - check if the adapter is turned on (Win + A → the Wi-Fi tile must be active).
• 🔄 The network name is not updating. — try disconnecting and reconnecting or rebooting the router.
• 🔒 You do not have permission to view your password. - Run the command prompt as administrator.
• 📵 The network is hidden (SSID is not broadcast) - use utilities like NetSpot or check your router settings.

If you changed the network name in the router settings, but the old one is displayed on your PC, try:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

These commands will update your network settings.

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FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

netsh wlan show interfaces

iwgetid -r

nmcli -t -f active,ssid dev wifi | grep '^yes' | cut -d\':\' -f2

netsh wlan set profileparameter name="OLD_NAME" newname="NEW_NAME"