How to view your Wi-Fi password on a Windows 11 computer: all the working methods

1. The easiest way: via Windows Settings

If you need to quickly find out the password for your current Wi-Fi network, this method is the best choice. It doesn't require administrator rights and even works on guest accounts (as long as the user has previously connected to this network).

Here are the step-by-step instructions:

• 📋 Open the menu Start and select Parameters (or click Win + I).
• 🌐 Go to the section Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
• 🔍 Scroll down and click Managing known networks.
• 📡 Select the desired Wi-Fi network from the list and click Properties.
• 🔑 In the section Network properties find the field Network password - there will be a hidden line (••••••••). Click the button Show on the right.

Done! Now you can see the password in plain text. You can copy it (Ctrl + C) or rewrite manually.

2. View the password through the Network and Sharing Center (alternative method)

This method works in Windows 11 the same way as in previous versions (Windows 10/8/7). It's useful if for some reason the Settings section won't open or is glitching.

Follow the instructions:

1. Right click on the icon Wi-Fi in the lower right corner of the taskbar (next to the clock).
2. Select Open Network and Internet settings.
3. Scroll down and click Additional network settings → Additional network properties.
4. In the window that opens, find the section Connection and click on the link Network and Sharing Center.
5. Select on the left Managing wireless networks.
6. Double-click on the desired Wi-Fi network → go to the tab Security.
7. Check the box Show entered characters — the password will become visible.

If your network isn't listed, it means your computer wasn't connected to it or the data was reset. In this case, try the other methods in this article.

3. How to find out the Wi-Fi password via the command line (CMD)

This method is suitable for advanced users or if the Windows graphical interface doesn't work. The command prompt will display the password. all saved networks, and not just the current one.

Follow these steps:

1. Open Command line as administrator:
   • Click Win + S, enter cmd.
   • Select Run as administrator.

netsh wlan show profiles

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

Example of command output:

SSID Name: MyWiFi_5G
...
Security settings:
Authentication type: WPA2-Personal
Encryption type: CCMP
Key contents: qwerty12345

🔹 Run CMD as administrator

🔹 Make sure the network name is entered correctly (case is important!)

🔹 If the command doesn't work, check your Wi-Fi connection

🔹 To copy a password from CMD, select the text with your mouse and press Enter

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Attention! If you are connected to the network via Windows Domain (corporate Wi-Fi), the password may not be displayed due to security policy. In this case, please contact your network administrator.

4. Use PowerShell to view the Wi-Fi password

PowerShell — a more powerful tool than CMD, and also allows you to extract a Wi-Fi password. This method is useful if you need to automate a process (for example, saving all passwords to a file).

Instructions:

1. Open PowerShell as administrator:
   • Click Win + X and select Windows Terminal (Administrator).
   • Or enter powershell in search, then Run as administrator.

(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

The result will be in the form of a table:

If you need to save passwords to a file, add the following to the end of the command:

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

5. Viewing the password via the configuration file (for advanced users)

Windows stores all wireless network data in special XML files. These can be opened manually, but this requires care—incorrect editing can reset the settings.

How to find the password:

1. Open Conductor (Win + E) and follow the path:

   C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Wlansvc\Profiles\Interfaces\{GUID}

   Instead of {GUID} will be a long folder identifier (eg {a1b2c3d4-5678-90ef-1234-567890abcdef}).

2. Find the file with the name of your network (eg. MyWiFi_5G.xml) and open it in Notepad.
3. Find the tag <keyMaterial> — inside it there will be a password in clear text:

   <keyMaterial>qwerty12345</keyMaterial>

⚠️ Attention! Do not edit or delete files in the folder. Profiles — this may result in the loss of all saved Wi-Fi networks. If you need to delete a network, do so through Windows Settings.

This method is useful if other methods fail (for example, due to damaged system files). However, it requires administrator rights and knowledge of XML.

6. If the password is not displayed: possible problems and solutions

Sometimes Windows 11 may not display your Wi-Fi password, despite your best efforts. Let's look at some common causes and troubleshooting steps:

Problem	Cause	Solution
The "Show" button is inactive	Insufficient rights	Log in as an administrator
The password is displayed as an empty string.	The network is connected via WPS or Enterprise-authentication	Check the sticker on your router or contact your network administrator.
Team netsh gives an error	Service WLAN AutoConfig disabled	Start the service via services.msc
There is no folder Profiles V ProgramData	Windows never connected to Wi-Fi	Connect to the network at least once

If none of the methods worked, it is possible that the password is stored in encrypted form (for example, in corporate networks with 802.1X). In this case, the only solution is to reset the router settings or contact your ISP.

Through "Windows Settings"

Through the Network and Sharing Center

Command Prompt (CMD)

PowerShell

Another way-->

Bonus: How to Protect Your Wi-Fi from Hacking

Now that you know how to easily extract a Wi-Fi password, it's time to think about security. After all, if You If you were able to find out, anyone who gains access to your computer can do the same. Here are some tips:

• 🔒 Use complex passwords (at least 12 characters, with letters, numbers, and special characters). Example: K@t3n0k_WiFi!2026.
• 🔄 Regularly (once every 3–6 months) change your password on the router.
• 📡 Turn off WPS in the router settings - this protocol is vulnerable to brute-force attacks.
• 👥 Set up guest network for friends - so they won't know the main password.
• 🛡️ Turn on MAC address filtering (although this is not a panacea).

We also recommend disabling the function. Sharing network connections in Windows if it's not needed. This will prevent other devices from automatically connecting to your network.

⚠️ Attention! If you suspect that someone else has connected to your Wi-Fi, check the list of devices in the router's web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). Unknown devices can be blocked.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about viewing your Wi-Fi password on Windows 11

Is it possible to find out the password for a Wi-Fi network to which the computer is not connected?
No, Windows only stores passwords for networks this computer has previously connected to. If the network isn't listed Managing known networks, then the password cannot be extracted. In this case, the only option left is:
• Look at the parking code on the router sticker.
• Reset the router to factory settings (the password will become default, for example, admin).
• Contact your provider (if the router was provided by them).
Why is the password displayed as asterisks, and how can I crack it?

Stars (••••••••) is the standard way to hide passwords in Windows. To see the characters:

• In the Network Properties window, click the button Show.
• IN CMD or PowerShell The password is displayed immediately in clear text.
• If the button Show inactive, please log in as administrator.

If the password is not displayed even in CMD, it may be stored in encrypted form (for example, in domain networks).

Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password from a phone (Android/iPhone)?
Yes, but the methods are different:
• Android (with root rights): Use apps like WiFi Password Viewer or view the file /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml.
• Android (without root): On some firmware (for example, MIUI or EMUI) the password can be seen in the router settings through the manufacturer's application (for example, Xiaomi Home).
• iPhone: Impossible without jailbreaking. Apple doesn't provide access to saved Wi-Fi passwords.

On Windows 11, unlike mobile devices, passwords can be extracted without additional programs.

(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}} | Export-Csv -Path "C:\WiFi_Backup.csv" -NoTypeInformation -Encoding UTF8