How to view your Wi-Fi password on Windows 10 and 11: all working methods

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password and there's no sticker with the connection information on your router? Or do you need to share your network with a guest but can't be bothered to find the piece of paper with the code? Windows 10 and 11 There are built-in tools that allow you to see saved password From any network to which your computer or laptop has previously connected. Moreover, this can be done without administrator rights (in most cases) and without installing any additional software.

In this article we will look at 4 proven methodsHow to find out the Wi-Fi password Windows — from the simplest through a graphical interface to advanced methods using PowerShell and third-party utilities. You'll also learn what to do if the system doesn't display your password (and why this happens), and how to bypass restrictions on some corporate networks. All instructions are relevant for Windows 10 21H2/22H2 And Windows 11 23H2/24H2, but some methods also work on older versions (7/8.1).

⚠️ Important: These methods are only suitable for networks to which your computer is connected. I've already connected beforeIf you attempt to hack someone else's Wi-Fi, it is illegal and may result in criminal liability under Article 272 of the Russian Criminal Code ("Unauthorized access to computer information").

1. The easiest way: via Windows Network Settings

If you need to quickly view the password for your current or previously connected network, the most obvious method is to use the built-in menu Network SettingsThis method doesn't require any knowledge of commands and is suitable even for beginners.

Instructions:

1. Open Start → Settings (⚙️) → Network & Internet.
2. In the section Wi-Fi click Managing known networks.
3. Select the desired network from the list and click Properties.
4. Scroll down to the block Network password and press the button Show.

⚠️ Attention: if the button Show is inactive or the password field is empty, this means that:

• 🔹 Your account doesn't have administrator rights (the solution is to log in as an administrator).
• 🔹 The network was connected via WPS or roaming (the password is not saved in the system).
• 🔹 Network profile is corrupted (try the methods below).

This method works in 90% of cases for home networks, but may not work on corporate access points (for example, in offices or universities) where 802.1X or Radius authenticationIn such cases, the password is stored in encrypted form and is not displayed in the graphical interface.

2. How to find out the password via the command line (CMD)

If the GUI did not show the password or you prefer to work with the console, you can use command lineThis method is universal and works even on Windows 7.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open Command line as administrator (click Win + X and select Terminal (Administrator)).
2. Enter the command to view all saved networks:

   netsh wlan show profiles

   Remember the name of the network you want (for example, MyWiFi_5G).

3. Display your profile details, including your password:

   netsh wlan show profile name="MyWiFi_5G" key=clear

   (replace MyWiFi_5G to the name of your network).

4. Find the line Key content - this is the password.

🔹 Example output:

Profile name: MyWiFi_5G
Security type: WPA2-Personal
Key contents: 12345678QwErTy

⚠️ Attention: If you see a blank line or message instead of a password The key is missing, this means that:

• 🔹 The network was connected via guest access (without password).
• 🔹 The network profile was imported from another device without saving the key.
• 🔹 Installed on the computer VPN client or antivirus, which blocks access to network settings.

This method is reliable, but requires entering the network name accurately (case-sensitive!). If you're unsure of the name, run the first command first to see the full list.

3. Using PowerShell to extract the password

PowerShell — a more powerful tool than CMD, and allows for flexible management of network settings. It not only lets you view passwords but also export all saved networks to a file.

Instructions:

1. Launch PowerShell on behalf of the administrator.
2. Enter the command to view all Wi-Fi profiles:

   Get-ChildItem -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WlanSvc\Interfaces\" | ForEach-Object { Get-ChildItem -Path $_.PSPath } | ForEach-Object { Get-ItemProperty -Path ($_.PSPath + "\Connection") } | Select-Object ProfileName

3. To see the password of a specific network (for example, HomeNetwork), run:

   (Get-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WlanSvc\Interfaces\*\Connection" | Where-Object { $_.ProfileName -eq "HomeNetwork" }).GetNetworkPassword()

🔹 Alternative script (shows passwords for all networks at once):

$profiles = Get-ChildItem -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WlanSvc\Interfaces\" | ForEach-Object { Get-ChildItem -Path $_.PSPath } | ForEach-Object { Get-ItemProperty -Path ($_.PSPath + "\Connection") }
foreach ($profile in $profiles) {
$password = $profile.GetNetworkPassword()
Write-Host "Network: $($profile.ProfileName) | Password: $password"
}

What to do if PowerShell returns a "Method not found" error

This means that your version of Windows does not support the method. GetNetworkPassword()In this case, use an alternative method via the registry (section 4) or the command line (section 2).

⚠️ Attention: scripts PowerShell may be blocked by security policies (especially on corporate networks). If you see an error Execution Policy, temporarily allow script execution with the command:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope Process -ExecutionPolicy Bypass

This method is useful for administrators, who need to quickly obtain passwords for all networks on multiple computers (for example, in an office). The results can be exported to CSV-file for further analysis.

4. View the password in the Windows registry

All Wi-Fi network settings, including passwords, are stored in Windows registryThis method is suitable for experienced users, as it requires care when working with system files.

How to find the password:

1. Click Win + R, enter regedit and confirm the launch.
2. Follow the path:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WlanSvc\Interfaces\{GUID}\Connection

   (Where {GUID} — unique interface identifier).

3. In the right part of the window, find the parameter ProfileName — this is the network name. There will be a parameter next to it Password (password in encrypted form).
4. To decrypt the password, copy the value Password and use decoding instructions.

🔹 Table: Location of Wi-Fi keys in the registry

⚠️ Attention: passwords in the registry are stored in encrypted form (format HEX or Base64). To decipher them, you can:

• 🔹 Use Python script (requires administrator rights).
• 🔹 Use the utility WirelessKeyView (section 5).
• 🔹 Manually decode via CyberChef (for experienced users).

Working with the registry is the most low-level method, but it requires caution. An editing error can lead to loss of connection to the network. We recommend that you first create a backup copy of the registry (File → Export).

5. Third-party programs for viewing Wi-Fi passwords

If the built-in Windows tools did not help, you can use specialized utilitiesThey automatically extract passwords from the system and often provide additional features (export, search, decoding).

🔹 Top 3 Wi-Fi Password Viewers:

🔹 How to use WirelessKeyView:

1. Download the program from the official website (the portable version does not require installation).
2. Launch WirelessKeyView.exe on behalf of the administrator.
3. The table will display all networks with the following columns:
   • 🔹 Network Name — Wi-Fi name.
   • 🔹 Key (Ascii) — password in readable form.
   • 🔹 Key (Hex) — encrypted password.

To copy the password, right-click on the line and select Copy Key.

⚠️ Please note: some antivirus programs (eg. Avast or Kaspersky) can block the launch of such programs, considering them potentially dangerousThis is a false positive - utilities from NirSoft are safe, but check the file hash before using it VirusTotal.

🔹 Advantages of third-party utilities:

• 🔹 Works even if the password is not displayed in netsh.
• 🔹 Support WPA3 and corporate networks (802.1X).
• 🔹 Allows you to export data to a file for backup.

🔹 Flaws:

• 🔹 Requires downloading and installation (risk of catching a virus from unofficial sources).
• 🔹 May not work on Windows 11 with it turned on Secure Boot.

6. What to do if the password is not displayed in any way

If none of the above methods worked, the problem may be as follows:

🔹 Reasons why Windows does not show the password:

• 🔹 The network profile is corrupted. Solution: Delete the network in Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks and reconnect.
• 🔹 Authentication is used via Radius or 802.1X. Solution: The password is stored on the authentication server (check with your network administrator).
• 🔹 The network is connected via VPN or proxySolution: Check your settings in Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings.
• 🔹 The password was changed on the router but not updated on the PC. Solution: Reconnect to the network.
• 🔹 Antivirus or firewall software is blocking access to network settings. Solution: Temporarily disable protection.

🔹 Alternative solutions:

1. View your password on another device. If you have a smartphone, tablet or second computer connected to the same network, try to extract the password from there (on Android can be used WiFi Password Viewer).
2. Reset your router settings. Click the button Reset on the back of the router (hold for 10 seconds). After the reset, connect using the default password (indicated on the sticker).
3. Use WPS. If the router supports WPS, press the button WPS on the case and connect without a password (temporary solution).

⚠️ Attention: If you rent or use corporate Wi-Fi, resetting your router may affect other users' settings. In such cases, it's best to confirm the password with your provider or network administrator.

7. Security: How to protect your Wi-Fi from hacking

Now that you know how to easily extract a password from Windows, it’s worth thinking about protecting your networkAfter all, if you can see your password, anyone who gains access to your computer can do the same.

🔹 How to strengthen Wi-Fi security:

• 🔹 Use WPA3 instead of WPA2. This protocol is more difficult to hack (supported by most modern routers).
• 🔹 Turn it off WPSThis feature is vulnerable to brute-force attacks (find the option in your router settings).
• 🔹 Complex password. Use a combination of 12+ characters with letters, numbers and special characters (example: kL9#pQ2$vR1!).
• 🔹 Guest network. For friends and guests, create a separate network with limited access to local resources.
• 🔹 Update your router firmware regularly. Manufacturers patch vulnerabilities in new versions of software.

🔹 How to check if strangers are connected to your network:

1. Go to the router's web interface (192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
2. Find the section DHCP Clients List or Connected Devices.
3. Check the list of connected devices. Unknown MAC addresses may indicate a hack.

⚠️ Attention: If you find any unfamiliar devices on the network, immediately change your password and enable filtering by MAC addresses (in the router settings).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about viewing Wi-Fi passwords

Is it possible to find out the password for a Wi-Fi network I've never connected to?

No, Windows only stores passwords for networks your computer has previously connected to. If you've never logged into the network, the only legal ways to obtain the password are:

• 🔹 Check with the network owner.
• 🔹 Look at the sticker on the router (if this is your network).
• 🔹 Restore via the router's web interface (if you are an administrator).

Any other methods (hacking, brute force) are illegal.

Why does the command line say "Key missing"?

This means that:

• 🔹 The network was connected without a password (for example, via WPS or an open access point).
• 🔹 The network profile is damaged or deleted.
• 🔹 Corporate authentication is used (802.1X), where the password is stored on the server.

Try deleting the network in Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks and reconnect.

Do these methods work on Windows 7?

Yes, but with some reservations:

• 🔹 Method with netsh wlan show profile works in Windows 7.
• 🔹 Passwords are stored in the registry at the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WlanSvc\Security\PersistentKeys.
• 🔹 Graphical interface in Windows 7 does not show the password - only through CMD or registry.

For Windows 7 programs like WirelessKeyView.

Is it possible to see a Wi-Fi password on a Mac or Linux?

Yes, but the methods are different:

• 🔹 MacOS: open Terminal and enter:

  security find-generic-password -wa "Network_Name"

• 🔹 Linux: passwords are stored in /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/. Open the network file and find the line psk=.

How to protect yourself from programs that steal Wi-Fi passwords?

To prevent passwords from being stolen from your PC:

• 🔹 Use antivirus with spyware protection (eg Kaspersky Internet Security).
• 🔹 Do not run suspicious files (especially those with the extension .exe or .bat).
• 🔹 Turn it off auto-connection to open networks in Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
• 🔹 Regularly check the list of saved networks and delete unnecessary ones.