How to view your Wi-Fi password on a computer connected to a router

Have you forgotten your home Wi-Fi password, but your computer is still connected to the network? This situation is familiar to many: you set up the router years ago, entered the password once, and now you urgently need it for a new device. Luckily, You can view your Wi-Fi password directly on your computer. — without access to the router settings and without resetting it to factory settings.

In this article we will look at all the working methods for Windows 10/11 And macOS, including command-line methods, graphical interface methods, and even system backups. We'll also cover security considerations: why some methods may fail on corporate networks and how to avoid common password extraction mistakes.

Important: All the described methods only work for networks to which the computer is connected. already connectedIf the connection is lost or the password has never been entered on this device, alternative solutions will be required (such as resetting the router or accessing its web interface).

1. How to view your Wi-Fi password using Windows Settings (the easiest way)

This method is suitable for Windows 10/11 and doesn't require administrator rights or special knowledge. A few clicks in the standard system interface are all it takes.

Instructions:

• 🖱️ Open Start → Settings (⚙️) → Network & Internet.
• 📡 In the section Wi-Fi find the block Related parameters and select Additional network settings.
• 🔍 In the list of networks, click on the name of your Wi-Fi network (it will be marked as Connected).
• 🔑 In the window that opens, scroll down to the section Properties and press View network properties.
• 👁️ Next to the field Network security key click Show symbols — the password will be displayed in a readable form.

If the button Show symbols is inactive or the field is empty, this means that:

• 🚫 You don't have administrator rights (you need to log in with an account that has the appropriate rights).
• 🔒 The network uses enterprise authentication (e.g. WPA2-Enterprise), and the password is stored in another location.
• 📛 The computer is connected via Windows Domain (corporate network) where passwords are managed by the server.

⚠️ Note: In some builds Windows 11 (especially corporate) section Network properties may be missing. In this case, use the command line method (section 3).

2. View the password through the Network and Sharing Center (alternative for Windows 7/8/10)

This method works on all versions of Windows, including older ones. It's useful if the interface Parameters is not available or you prefer the classic menu.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Right-click on the Wi-Fi icon in the tray (bottom right corner of the screen) and select Open Network and Internet settings.
2. Scroll down and click Network and Sharing Center.
3. In the window that opens, find the section View active networks and click on the name of your Wi-Fi network (link next to Connections).
4. In the new window, select Wireless network properties → go to the tab Security.
5. Check the box Show entered characters — the password will appear in the field Network security key.

If the tab Security is missing or the password field is empty, this may mean:

• 🔄 The network uses WPS instead of a password (rare, but found in older routers).
• 🛡️ The password is stored in encrypted form and requires additional rights to decrypt.
• 🖥️ The computer is connected via VPN or proxies that mask real network data.

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

This method works on all versions of Windows and is independent of the GUI. It is especially useful for administrators or in cases where standard menus are not available.

Instructions:

1. Open Command line as administrator:
   • Click Win + R, enter cmd, then Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
   • Or find Command line in the Start menu → right-click → Run as administrator.

netsh wlan show profiles

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

Example of command output:

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

If a blank space or message is displayed instead of a password The key is missing, this could mean:

• 🔐 The network uses 802.1X (enterprise authentication), and the password is stored elsewhere.
• 📜 The network profile is damaged (try deleting it and connecting again).
• 👤 You do not have sufficient rights (run Command Prompt as administrator).

4. Extracting the password from a Windows backup (if other methods do not work)

If standard methods don't work, you can try recovering your password from a system backup. This method is suitable if you've ever created a restore point or are using File History.

How does this work:

1. Open Control Panel → System and Security → File History.
2. Click Recovering personal files and find the folder:

   C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Wlansvc\Profiles\Interfaces

3. Recover files with extension .xml (For example, Wi-Fi-NETWORK_NAME.xml).
4. Open the file in notepad and find the line:

   <keyMaterial>VAlyU3RyR3JvdXA=</keyMaterial>

   This is an encrypted password. You can decrypt it using an online decoder. Base64 (for example, on the website base64decode.org).

Limitations of the method:

• ⏳ A backup copy is required (if you don’t have one, this method is useless).
• 🔐 Not all versions of Windows store passwords in ProgramData (V Windows 11 the path may differ).
• 🛡️ In corporate networks, passwords may be stored in encrypted form, making them inaccessible to decoding.

⚠️ Warning: Restoring files from a backup may overwrite your current network settings. If you are unsure about what you're doing, use alternative methods.

5. How to find your Wi-Fi password on macOS (for Mac users)

On computers MacBook or iMac You can view your Wi-Fi password using the standard app. Bunch of keys (Keychain Access). This method works on all versions macOS, including Ventura And Sonoma.

Instructions:

1. Open Spotlight (Cmd + Space) and enter Bunch of keys.
2. In the left menu, select System → In the right part of the window, find the name of your Wi-Fi network.
3. Double click on the network and check the box. Show password.
4. Enter your account password Mac (required to confirm rights).
5. The password will be displayed in the field. Show password.

If the network is not displayed in Keychain:

• 🔄 Try reconnecting to Wi-Fi (sometimes macOS doesn't save the password the first time you connect).
• 📡 Make sure that your computer is connected to this network (and not to a guest or other access point).
• 🔒 Check if it is in use Apple Configurator for network management (relevant for corporate Macs).

6. Alternative methods (if nothing works)

If none of the above methods work, radical or indirect solutions remain. These should only be used as a last resort, as they may impact network performance or require additional devices.

Possible options:

⚠️ Caution: Using third-party password extraction programs carries a risk of computer viruses. Use built-in Windows or macOS tools instead.

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

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

sudo cat /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/NETWORK_NAME | grep psk=