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

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and the sticker on your router has worn off? Or need to connect a new gadget but can't be bothered to fiddle with the router settings? In Windows, all connected networks and their passwords are stored in the system. — all that remains is to extract this information. Depending on the OS version and your access rights, there is a minimum 5 proven methods Get the saved security key.

In this article - step-by-step instructions with pictures, a comparison of methods based on speed and security, and answers to frequently asked questions. No programs from unknown developers: only built-in tools. Windows 10 And Windows 11If you're an administrator on your PC, there won't be any problems. If your account has limited rights, read the section on bypassing blocks.

Spoiler: the fastest way is through Windows Settings (3 clicks), and the most universal one is command line (works even on older versions). But there are some nuances: for example, in Windows 11 24H2 The network settings menu has changed slightly, and passwords may be encrypted differently on corporate networks. We've taken all of these considerations into account.

Method 1: via Windows Settings (the easiest)

This method is suitable for all versions of Windows 10/11, if you have administrator rights. The main advantage is that you don't need to remember commands or download software. The disadvantage: if it's been a while since you connected to the network, its name may get lost in the long list.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open the menu Start and select Parameters (gear icon).
2. Go to the section Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
3. Scroll down and click Managing known networks.
4. Find the required network in the list and click on its name.
5. Click Properties (V Windows 11) or Additional options (V Windows 10).
6. Scroll to the block Network password and press Show near the access point.

Attention! If the button Show is inactive or the password field is empty, then:

• 🔹 You don't have administrator rights (see section on bypassing restrictions).
• 🔹 The network was connected via WPS or QR code (password is not saved).
• 🔹 The network profile is corrupted (try the method with command line).

Method 2: via command line (always works)

If the graphical interface is glitchy or you prefer console methods, command line (CMD) — your reliable assistant. This method works even on Windows 7 and is not affected by interface updates. The main thing is to enter the commands accurately.

Instructions:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
   • 🔍 Enter in the search cmd.
   • 🖱️ Right click on Command line → Run as administrator.

netsh wlan show profiles

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

Important: If your network name contains spaces, wrap it in quotation marks (e.g. My Wi-Fi). If the command returns an error Failed to execute command, check:

• 🔹 Correct spelling of the network name (including spaces and symbols).
• 🔹 Is the command prompt running as administrator?
• 🔹 Have you connected to this network at least once?

Method 3: via PowerShell (for advanced users)

PowerShell — a more powerful tool than CMD, and sometimes saves the day when standard commands don't work. For example, in corporate networks with 802.1X- authentication or on a PC with strict security policies.

How to view the password:

1. Launch PowerShell as administrator (similarly CMD).
2. Enter the command to export all Wi-Fi profiles:

   (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

3. Done! The table will display all networks and their passwords.

If the command seems too complicated, you can simplify it for one network:

(netsh wlan show profile name="NAVANIE_SETI" key=clear) -Match 'Key Contents'

Advantages of PowerShell:

• 🔹 Works with networks where netsh produces errors.
• 🔹 You can export passwords to a file (add | Out-File -FilePath "C:\wifi_passwords.txt").
• 🔹 Supports filtering by network name.

4. Method: via network configuration file (for backup)

Windows stores all Wi-Fi settings in XML-files. They can be extracted and read in any text editor. This method is useful if you need save all passwords for future use or transfer them to another PC.

How to extract passwords:

1. Open CMD on behalf of the administrator.
2. Export all Wi-Fi profiles:

   netsh wlan export profile key=clear folder="%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\WiFi-Passwords"

   A folder will appear on your desktop. WiFi-Passwords with files of the type Wi-Fi-NETWORK_NAME.xml.

3. Open the desired file in Notepad and find the line:

   <keyMaterial>YOUR_PASSWORD</keyMaterial>

Warning:

⚠️ Attention! Files .xml contain passwords in clear text. Do not store them in cloud folders (for example, OneDrive or Google Drive) without encryption. After use, delete the folder from your desktop.

Comparison of export methods:

5. Method: if you don’t have administrator rights (bypassing restrictions)

You may not have administrator rights on your work or school PC. In this case, standard methods won't work, but there is 3 workarounds:

Option 1: Use a Windows Live CD/DVD

• 🔹 Download the image Windows 10/11 PE (For example, Sergei Strelec).
• 🔹 Write it to a flash drive via Rufus or Ventoy.
• 🔹 Boot from the flash drive, open CMD and use commands netsh (cm. Section 2).

Option 2: Recover your password through your router

• 🔹 Connect to the router via cable (even without a Wi-Fi password).
• 🔹 Enter in the address bar of your browser 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
• 🔹 Log in (default logins/passwords: admin/admin, admin/1234 or see the sticker on the router).
• 🔹 Go to the section Wireless → Wireless Security.

Option 3: Third-party utilities (at your own risk)

⚠️ Attention! Programs like WirelessKeyView or WiFi Password Revealer can be recognized by antivirus software as HackToolWe do not recommend using them on work PCs - only as a last resort and after testing VirusTotal.

If none of the methods helped, check:

• 🔹 Have you connected to the network through WPS (password is not saved).
• 🔹 Have your network settings been reset after updating Windows (see section on reset).

6. What should I do if my password is not displayed or has been reset?

Sometimes Windows "forgets" saved passwords after updates, network resets, or driver conflicts. Here's 3 steps to recovery:

Step 1: Check the WLAN AutoConfig service

• 🔹 Click Win + R, enter services.msc.
• 🔹 Find a service Automatic WLAN configuration (WLAN AutoConfig).
• 🔹 Make sure it's running (Condition: working).
• 🔹 If not, right-click → Launch.

Step 2: Reset network settings

• 🔹 Open Parameters → Network and Internet → State.
• 🔹 Scroll down and click Network reset.
• 🔹 After rebooting, reconnect to Wi-Fi—the password will be saved.

Step 3: Update your Wi-Fi adapter driver

• 🔹 Open device Manager (Win + X → device Manager).
• 🔹 Expand Network adapters, find your Wi-Fi module (for example, Intel Wi-Fi 6 or Qualcomm Atheros).
• 🔹 Right-click → Update driver → Automatic search.

⚠️ Attention! If after resetting the network Windows stops seeing Wi-Fi at all, check if the adapter is disabled in BIOS/UEFI (especially relevant for laptops Lenovo And HP after updates).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Wi-Fi Passwords in Windows

security find-generic-password -wa "NAZVANIE_SETI"

sudo grep psk= /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/*