How to view your Wi-Fi password on your computer if you've forgotten it: all the methods for Windows

Forgot your home or office Wi-Fi password, but your computer is connected to the network? Don't rush to reset your router or call your ISP. Windows has several built-in ways to retrieve a saved password, from simply viewing it through the graphical interface to using the command line. In this article, we'll cover how. all working methods, including rare tricks for complex cases (for example, if you don't have administrator rights or the network is hidden).

It is important to understand: computer does not store the password is in clear text, but it can be show, if you have previously connected to this network. The methods work on Windows 10/11, as well as on older versions (7/8) with minor differences. If you've never connected to this Wi-Fi from this PC, you'll have to recover the password via router settings.

Before you begin, please check:

• 💻 The computer is currently connected to the target Wi-Fi network (or has been connected previously).
• 👤 You have administrator rights (for some methods).
• 🔒 The "Hide Password" function is not enabled on the router (if yes, see section on hidden networks).

Method 1: View the password through "Network Settings" (the easiest)

This is a basic method that works in Windows 10/11 No additional software required. This is suitable if you have administrator rights and the network is visible in the list of saved connections.

1. Open Windows Settings (keys Win + I).
2. Go to the section Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
3. Click Managing known networks.
4. Select the desired network and click Properties.
5. Scroll down to the item Network password and press Show.

Attention: if the button Show is inactive, then your account does not have administrator rights. Use command line method or request permission from the PC owner.

Method 2: Command Prompt - a universal method for all versions of Windows

If the graphical interface does not show the password (for example, in Windows 7 or on corporate PCs), use command lineThis method works even on locked workstations where the "Network Settings" are unavailable.

Open Command line as administrator (Win + X → Terminal (Admin)) and enter:

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

Replace NETWORK_NAME the name of your Wi-Fi (case-sensitive!). For example:

netsh wlan show profile name="TP-Link_5G" key=clear

In the execution results, find the line Key content — this is your password. If the command returned an error "Profile not found", Means:

• 🔍 You entered the network name incorrectly (check your case!).
• 📡 The computer has never connected to this network.
• 🔄 The network was removed from saved profiles (check via netsh wlan show profiles).

Method 3: PowerShell for Advanced Users

PowerShell — a more powerful tool than the command line. It can extract passwords even for hidden networks or if the name contains special characters.

Launch PowerShell as administrator and run:

(netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK_NAME" key=clear) | Select-String "Key Contents"

For conclusion all saved passwords Use this script immediately:

$profiles = netsh wlan show profiles | Select-String "All user profiles:"
foreach ($profile in $profiles) {
$name = $profile.ToString().Trim().Split(":")[1].Trim()
$password = (netsh wlan show profile name="$name" key=clear) | Select-String "Key content"
Write-Host "Network: $name`nPassword: $password`n"
}

This method displays passwords for ALL networks the computer has ever connected to. Be careful—don't save the script output in a public location!

Method 4: View the password through the router settings

If the computer never connected to the target network, or you want to change the password, you will have to go to router web interfaceTo do this:

1. Find out Router IP address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). You can view it through the command line:

   ipconfig | findstr "Default Gateway"

2. Enter this IP into the address bar of your browser.
3. Log in (default logins/passwords can be found on the router sticker): admin/admin, admin/1234 etc.).
4. Go to the section Wireless → Security (or similar). Search for the field Password, WPA Key or Pre-installed key.

Attention: If you haven't changed your router's login/password, anyone on your network can access its settings! How to fix this — read at the end of the article.

⚠️ Router interface details depend on the model and firmware. On newer devices (Keenetic, ASUS RT-AX) The path may vary. For official instructions, please visit the manufacturer's website.

Method 5: Third-party password extraction programs

If built-in methods don't work (for example, on a corporate PC with restrictions), use specialized utilities. They are easy to view. all saved passwords or working with hidden networks.

Popular programs:

• 🔓 WirelessKeyView (from NirSoft) - shows passwords in one click, no installation required.
• 🖥️ WiFi Password Revealer - simple interface, export passwords to a file.
• 🛡️ Magical Jelly Bean WiFi Password Revealer — works on older versions of Windows.

How to use (using WirelessKeyView as an example):

1. Download the program from official website (free, portable version).
2. Launch WirelessKeyView.exe (no administrator rights required!).
3. Find the required network in the table - the password will be in the column Key (Ascii).

⚠️ Programs from NirSoft They are often blocked by antivirus programs as "potentially dangerous." This is a false positive—the utilities don't contain viruses, but they can be used to steal passwords. Download them only from the official website!

Method 6: Password for a hidden network (SSID hidden)

If your network hidden (doesn't broadcast the name), standard methods may not work. In this case:

1. Connect to the network manually (enter the SSID name and password if you remember it).
2. Use command line or PowerShell, specifying the exact network name (case-sensitive!).
3. If you don’t remember the name, look it up in the router settings (section Wireless → SSID Broadcast).

For Windows 10/11 There is an alternative way:

1. Open Network and Sharing Center (click on the Wi-Fi icon in the tray → Network parameters).
2. Click Change advanced adapter settings.
3. Double click on Wireless connection → Wireless network properties → Security.
4. Check the box Show entered characters.

Bonus: How to Secure Your Wi-Fi After Recovering Your Password

If you were able to extract the password through a computer, then anyone who connected to your network could do the same. To prevent leaks:

• 🔄 Change your password complex (12+ characters, with numbers and special characters).
• 🔒 Disable WPS - This function is vulnerable to brute force attacks.
• 📡 Hiding the SSID It won't protect you from experienced hackers, but it will reduce the number of accidental connections.
• 🛡️ Enable guest network for friends, it is isolated from the main one.
• 📊 Check connected devices in the router settings (section DHCP Clients or Connected Devices).

How to change the password on a router:

1. Go to the web interface (see Method 4).
2. Go to the section Wireless → Security.
3. In the field Password or WPA Key Enter a new password.
4. Save the settings and reconnect all devices.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi password recovery

security find-generic-password -wa "NETWORK_NAME"