How to view your Wi-Fi password on Windows 10: all the methods, from simple to complex

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and the sticker on your router has worn off? Or need to connect a new device but can't be bothered with the router settings? Windows 10 has at least 5 ways Find out your saved Wi-Fi password—and all of them work without access to the router's admin panel. The main requirement: your computer or laptop. already connected to this network (or connected earlier).

This article provides detailed instructions for users of all levels, from beginners to advanced. We'll cover standard methods using Windows Settings And Control Panel, as well as advanced ones - using command line And PowerShellWe'll also tell you what to do if none of the methods work (spoiler: there's a backup option!).

⚠️ Important: All methods only work for networks you've previously connected to. If Windows has never saved the password for the Wi-Fi connection you want to use, you'll need to reset the router or contact your ISP.

Method 1: Via Windows Settings (the easiest)

This is a basic method that does not require knowledge of commands or installation of programs. Suitable for Windows 10 version 1803 and newer (see the spoiler below for how to check the version).

How to find out the Windows 10 version?

Click Win + R, enter winver and press Enter. The About Windows window will display the version (e.g. 22H2) and build number.

Instructions:

1. Open the menu Start and select Parameters (gear icon) or click Win + I.
2. Go to the section Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
3. Click Managing known networks.
4. Find the required network in the list and click on it.
5. Click the button Properties (under the name of the network).
6. Scroll down to the block Network password and press Show (you will need to enter your Windows account password).

✅ Pros: There is no need to download anything or remember commands.

❌ Cons: If you have an older version of Windows 10 (before 1803), this method will not work - use Method 2.

Method 2: Via Control Panel (for older versions of Windows)

This method works on all versions of Windows 10, including the earliest builds. It's a bit longer, but more reliable.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open Control Panel (you can use the search in the menu) Start).
2. Go to the section Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center.
3. Select on the left Changing adapter settings.
4. Find an active connection Wi-Fi (antenna icon), right-click on it and select State.
5. In the window that opens, click Wireless network properties.
6. Go to the tab Security and check the box Show entered characters.

In the "Network Security Key" field, you will see your Wi-Fi password.

🔹 If the "Show entered characters" checkbox is missing:

• 🔄 Make sure you are logged in with an account that has administrator rights.
• 🛡️ The network may be using an enterprise security type (e.g. WPA2-Enterprise) - in this case the password is stored in a different location (see Method 4).

Method 3: Via the command line (for advanced users)

If you prefer to work with the console, this method will allow you to find out the Wi-Fi password 30 seconds. Suitable for all versions of Windows, including Windows 11.

Instructions:

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

   netsh wlan show profiles

   Remember the exact name of the network you need (case is important!).

3. Enter the command to display the password (replace NETWORK_NAME to the real name):

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

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

📌 Example output:

Profile name: MyWiFi
...
Security parameters
Authentication type: WPA2-Personal
Encryption type: CCMP
Key contents: 12345678

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

• 🔌 The network uses automatic connection without a password (for example, in hotels or cafes).
• 🔒 The password has been removed from the Windows vault (try Method 5).

Open CMD as administrator | Check the network name with the command netsh wlan show profiles|Copy the network name without errors|Enter the command with the correct syntax-->

Method 4: Via PowerShell (alternative to the command line)

PowerShell — a more powerful tool than the standard command line. It allows you to export all saved Wi-Fi passwords into a convenient file.

How to do it:

1. Open PowerShell as administrator (via search in the menu) Start).
2. Enter the command to export passwords to a file wi-fi-passwords.txt on the desktop:

   (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=$pass}} | Export-Csv -Path "$env:USERPROFILE\Desktop\wi-fi-passwords.txt" -Delimiter`t -NoTypeInformation -Encoding UTF8

3. Open the file wi-fi-passwords.txt on the desktop - there will be network names and their passwords.

🔍 Why is this necessary?

• 📄 Convenient if you need to save passwords for all networks (for example, before reinstalling Windows).
• 🔄 You can quickly find the password among dozens of saved networks.
• 📋 The file can be printed or sent to another computer.

⚠️ Attention: The password file is stored in clear text. After use delete it, so as not to compromise security!

Method 5: Using third-party programs (if nothing helps)

If standard methods don't work, specialized utilities can help. They're convenient because they show all saved passwords in one window and often support export.

Top 3 proven programs:

🔧 How to use (using WirelessKeyView as an example):

1. Download the program from official website (free, no viruses).
2. Unzip and run WirelessKeyView.exe (no installation required).
3. Find the required network in the table - the password will be in the column Key (Ascii).
4. Export data via if necessary File → Save All Items.

⚠️ Attention: Some antivirus programs may complain about such programs because they read system data. Download the utilities. only from official websites!

What to do if none of the methods worked?

If you have tried all the methods but still can't find the password, there is still 3 backup options:

• 🔄 Reset the router settings. Click the button Reset on the back of the router (hold for 10-15 seconds). After the reset, the network name and password will return to the default ones (found on the router sticker). ⚠️ Attention: All settings, including the provider binding, will be reset!
• 📞 Contact your provider. If your router was provided by your ISP, call support—they'll tell you the default password or reset it remotely (sometimes it's free).
• 🔧 Connect via cable. If you have access to the router via Ethernet, enter its settings through a browser (usually at the address 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and look at the password in the section Wi-Fi or Wireless.

💡 Advice: If you often forget your passwords, save them in password manager (For example, KeePass or Bitwarden) or write them down in a notebook. Just don't keep them open on your desktop!

How to access router settings?

1. Connect to the router via cable or Wi-Fi.

2. Open your browser and enter in the address bar 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (the exact address is indicated on the router sticker).

3. Enter your login and password (usually admin/admin or admin/password).

4. Go to the section Wi-Fi or Wireless Security — there will be a password.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

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

No. All the methods described only work for networks your computer has previously connected to. If the network isn't in the list of saved networks, you'll have to:

• Ask the network owner for the password.
• Connect to the router via cable and view the password in its settings.
• Use specialized hacking programs (illegal and unethical!).

Why is there no Show button in Windows Settings?

This could mean:

• Your account does not have administrator rights.
• You are using an older version of Windows 10 (update your system).
• The network uses enterprise authentication (the password is not stored locally).

Try it Method 2 or Method 3.

Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password on someone else's computer?

Technically yes, if you have physical access to the device and administrator rights. However:

• 🚫 This is a violation data privacy law (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - unauthorized access to computer information).
• 🔒 The computer owner can track your actions through system logs.

It's better to ask for the password directly.

How to protect your Wi-Fi from hacking?

To prevent your network from being hacked, follow these simple rules:

• 🔐 Use WPA3 (or at least WPA2-PSK) instead of the outdated one WEP.
• 🔑 Set a complex password (at least 12 characters with numbers and special characters).
• 📵 Turn off WPS - This is a vulnerable protocol.
• 🔄 Update your router firmware regularly.
• 👤 Change the default login/password for your router's admin panel.

Why did my Wi-Fi passwords reset after a Windows update?

This is a rare but possible problem. Causes:

• 🔄 The update damaged the password storage (try restoring the system via Restore point).
• 📁 The user profile has been recreated (passwords are stored in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Wlansvc\Profiles\Interfaces).
• 🛡️An antivirus or registry cleaner deleted the data.

You can only recover passwords if you have a backup copy of them (for example, exported via PowerShell).