Forgot your home or office Wi-Fi password, but your computer is connected to the network? Windows 10 Pro There are several ways to retrieve a saved password, from standard system tools to advanced methods for experienced users. In this article, we'll cover all the current options, including hidden features. Control panels, commands for CMD, and even third-party password recovery programs.
It is important to understand that these methods only work for networks that your computer is connected to. I've already connected beforeIf you are trying to hack someone else's network, it is illegal and violates Article 272 of the Russian Criminal Code. All instructions below are intended solely for restoring access to own networks for which the password has been lost.
Also note: depending on the version Windows 10 Pro (For example, 1909 vs 22H2) The location of some menu items may vary slightly. If you can't find an option, check for system updates or use an alternative method.
Method 1: Via Windows Settings (the easiest method)
This is the official way from Microsoft, which doesn't require administrator rights or special knowledge. Suitable for most users.
Steps:
- 🖱️ Open the menu
Startand select Parameters (gear icon) or clickWin + I. - 📶 Go to the section
Network and Internet → Wi-Fi. - 🔗 In the block Related parameters click
Additional network settings. - 📋 In the window that opens, find the section
Wireless network propertiesand pressView network properties.
Next:
- In the new window, go to the tab
Security. - Check the box next to
Show entered characters— the password will be displayed in the fieldNetwork security key.
The Wi-Fi network whose password you are looking for must be active on your computer. You must have permission to view network settings (usually a standard account is sufficient). If the "Show characters" button is inactive, use method 2 or 3.
⚠️ Attention: If you are connected to the network via VPN If you're using a proxy server, this method may not work. Disable any additional network services before trying.
Method 2: Via the Network and Sharing Center (alternative graphical interface)
This method works on all versions Windows 10 Pro, including legacy builds. It uses the classic Control Panel, which remains in the system for compatibility.
Instructions:
- Click
Win + R, enterncpa.cpland pressEnter- a window will openNetwork connections. - Find your active wireless connection (usually with the name of your network) and click on it right mouse button and select
State. - In the new window, click the button
Wireless network properties. - Go to the tab
Securityand activate the checkboxShow entered characters.
If the button Wireless network properties is missing, then the connection is configured through WPS or enterprise authentication (for example, in office networks). In this case, use Method 3.
| Way | Admin rights required | Works in domain networks | Suitable for hidden networks (SSID) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through "Windows Settings" | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Via the Network and Sharing Center | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Via the command line (CMD) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Via PowerShell | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Via Windows Settings|Via Network and Sharing Center|Via Command Prompt|I don't know, I haven't tried it yet-->
Method 3: Via the Command Prompt (CMD) - for advanced users
This method is universal and works even in corporate networks with Active Directory. Administrator rights are required.
Step-by-step instructions:
- Open
Command lineas administrator (clickWin + Xand select the appropriate item). - Enter the command to view all saved networks:
netsh wlan show profilesRemember the exact name of the network you need (case is important!).
- Display the password for a specific network:
netsh wlan show profile name="NAZVANIE_SETI" key=clearReplace
NAZVANIE_SETIto the name of your Wi-Fi network.
In the command results, find the line Key content — this is your password. If you see asterisks (), then your account does not have sufficient rights.
What to do if the command doesn't work?
If you see the error "Failed to execute command" after entering the command, check:
1. The network name is correct (including spaces and case).
2. Is the command prompt run as administrator?
3. Is the "WLAN Auto Configuration" service disabled (check in services.msc).
4. If you use a VPN or proxy, temporarily disable them.
⚠️ Attention: In some corporate networks, passwords are stored in encrypted form and are not displayed even after netshIn this case, please contact your network administrator.
Method 4: Via PowerShell (CMD alternative)
PowerShell — a more powerful tool than the standard command line. It allows you to export all saved Wi-Fi passwords in a convenient format.
Instructions:
- Launch
PowerShellas administrator (viaWin + X). - Enter the command to display all saved networks:
(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
The result is a table with all networks and their passwords. If you only need information about one network, use a simplified command:
(netsh wlan show profile name="NAZVANIE_SETI" key=clear) | Select-String "Key Contents"Method 5: Using third-party programs (if standard methods don’t work)
If system tools don't help, you can use specialized utilities. They're useful for viewing all saved passwords at once or for recovering data after a system reset.
Popular programs:
- 🔓 WirelessKeyView (from NirSoft) is a free utility that displays all saved Wi-Fi passwords in a user-friendly interface. No installation required.
- 🛡️ WiFi Password Revealer - a similar program with the ability to export passwords to
.txtor.csv. - 🔍 Magical Jelly Bean WiFi Password Revealer - suitable for Windows 10/11 and allows you to copy passwords to the clipboard.
How to use WirelessKeyView:
- Download the program from NirSoft official website (check the file for viruses!).
- Unzip the archive and run
WirelessKeyView.exe(Administrator rights are not required, but may be required for some networks). - In the main program window, you will see a list of all saved networks with speakers.
Network Name(network name) andKey (Ascii)(password).
⚠️ Warning: Download programs only from the developers' official websites. Many "Wi-Fi hackers" online contain malware.
What to do if none of the methods worked?
If you've tried all the methods but the password still isn't displayed, there may be a few possible reasons:
- 🔒 The network uses enterprise authentication (For example,
WPA2-Enterprise(with certificates). In this case, the password is stored on the authentication server, not on your PC. - 🖥️ Your computer is connected to the network via VPN or proxy, which masks the real network settings.
- 🔄 The password was changed on the router after the last time the computer was connected. In this case, the old password may have been erased from the system memory.
- 🛡️ It's enabled on the computer protection against password reading via group policy (relevant for corporate PCs).
Solutions:
- Try connecting to the network from another device (phone, tablet) where the password is saved, and retrieve it from there.
- Reset your router to factory settings (button
Reseton the back panel) and set up the network again. This will delete all user settings including network name and password! - Contact your network administrator (if it's work or school Wi-Fi).
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about viewing Wi-Fi passwords on Windows 10 Pro
Is it possible to find out the password for a Wi-Fi network that the computer connected to a long time ago but is not connected to now?
Yes, if the network is saved in Windows profiles. Use Method 3 (command line) or Method 5 (third-party programs) - they show passwords for all saved networks, even inactive ones.
Why when entering a command netsh wlan show profiles gives an error?
Possible reasons:
- The command prompt is not run as administrator.
- Service
Automatic WLAN configurationdisabled (check inservices.msc). - There are no saved Wi-Fi profiles in the system (the computer has never connected to wireless networks).
Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password on someone else's computer without permission?
Technically yes, but that's breaks the law (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - unauthorized access to computer information). Use these methods only to restore access to your own networks.
How to save all Wi-Fi passwords to a file for backup?
Use PowerShell with the export command:
(netsh wlan export profile key=clear folder="C:\WiFi_Backup\")All profiles will be saved in the folder C:\WiFi_Backup in the form .xml-files that can be imported later.
Do these methods work on Windows 11?
Yes, all the methods described (except the graphical interface in method 2, where the path may differ slightly) are fully compatible with Windows 11, including the latest version 23H2.