Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, but your laptop Samsung automatically connects to the network? Don't rush to reset the router or call your provider. In operating systems Windows 10 And Windows 11 There are built-in tools that allow you to retrieve a saved password from the device's memory. Even if you've never entered it manually, the system remembers the combination the first time you connected.
In this article we will look at 4 proven methodsHow to find out the Wi-Fi password on a laptop Samsung — from standard network settings to using the command line and third-party utilities. All methods work regardless of the model (Samsung Galaxy Book, Notebook 9, Odyssey etc.) and Windows version, if the device has connected to the desired network at least once. Important: some methods will require administrator rights.
Before you begin, make sure your laptop is currently connected to the network whose password you want to find. If the network is inactive but saved in memory, some methods will still work—we'll cover this in the relevant sections.
1. View the password through Network Settings (the easiest way)
This method does not require installing any additional software and is suitable for users of any level. The instructions are relevant for Windows 10 And Windows 11, the differences are minimal.
Open the menu Start and go to Settings → Network & Internet. In the section Wi-Fi find the item Managing known networks — all networks the laptop has ever connected to are displayed here. Click on the desired network (for example, TP-Link_1234), then select Properties.
In the window that opens, scroll down to the block Security parameters.Near the field Network security key You will see the hidden password - click on the eye icon (👁️) or check the box Show entered charactersto reveal the combination. Done! Now you can copy the password or write it down.
⚠️ Note: If the "Show entered characters" button is disabled, your account does not have administrator rights. Try logging in with a different account or use the alternative methods in this article.
- ✅ Works without administrator rights if you are logged in under the account that originally connected to the network.
- ✅ Does not require a command line or third-party software.
- ❌ It won't show the password if the network isn't saved in the laptop's memory (for example, a guest network).
2. Using the command line (for advanced users)
If the graphical interface is unavailable for some reason (for example, a system crash), the password can be retrieved via command lineThis method is universal and works even on older versions of Windows.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Press Win + X and select Terminal (Administrator) or Command Prompt (Administrator)Enter the following command to see a list of all saved networks:
netsh wlan show profilesIn the results, find the name of the network you need (for example, KEENETIC-5G) and copy it. Then run the command to display the password, replacing NETWORK_NAME to the real name:
netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK_NAME" key=clearIn the block Security parameters find the line Key content — this is your password. If you see asterisks (), this means the network is not saved or the rights are insufficient.
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 key key=clear-->
⚠️ Note: On some corporate networks, the password may be stored encrypted and not displayed even through the command line. In this case, contact your network administrator.
| Team | Description | Output example |
|---|---|---|
netsh wlan show profiles |
Shows all saved networks | User profiles: KEENETIC-5G, TP-Link_Guest |
netsh wlan show profile name="KEENETIC-5G" key=clear |
Displays the password for the specified network. | Key content: 12345678 |
netsh wlan export profile name="KEENETIC-5G" folder="C:\" |
Exports network settings to a file (including password) | File KEENETIC-5G.xml on drive C |
3. View the password in the network configuration file (alternative method)
Windows stores data about Wi-Fi networks in XML-files that can be opened with any text editor. This method is useful if the command line is unavailable or you prefer to work with files.
First, export the network settings to a file. Open the command prompt as administrator and run:
netsh wlan export profile name="NETWORK_NAME" folder="C:\WiFi_backup\"Replace NETWORK_NAME to the real name (for example, MI_HOME_2.4G). File with extension .xml will appear in the folder C:\WiFi_backup\Open it through Notebook or Notepad++ and find the line:
<keyMaterial>your_password</keyMaterial>Text between tags <keyMaterial> — this is the password. If the file is missing or empty, check the network name and export path.
What to do if the file is not created?
If the team export profile returns the error "Operation failed", try:
1. Specify another path (for example, folder="C:\Temp\").
2. Run the command line as a built-in administrator (enter in the search cmd, then press Ctrl+Shift+Enter).
3. Check if the account has write permissions to the selected folder.
4. Third-party password extraction programs
If Windows' built-in tools don't help, you can use specialized utilities. They're convenient because they reveal passwords. all saved networks in one window and often offer additional features (for example, export to CSV).
We recommend two proven programs:
- 🔍 WirelessKeyView (from NirSoft) is a portable utility that doesn't require installation. It displays passwords in cleartext and supports export.
- 🛡️ WiFi Password Revealer - simple interface, ability to copy password to clipboard.
Download the program from official website of the developer (avoid third-party sources!) and run as administrator. In the main window, you'll see a list of networks with speakers. Network Name (SSID) And Password (Hex) or Password (Ascii)The password will be displayed in the last column.
⚠️ Note: Antivirus software may block these utilities because they access system data. Add the program to the exceptions list or temporarily disable protection while using it.
5. Features for Samsung laptops with pre-installed software
Some laptop models Samsung (for example, series Galaxy Book Pro or Notebook 9) come with proprietary software such as Samsung Settings or Samsung UpdateThese tools rarely affect Wi-Fi management, but they may conflict with standard Windows settings.
If none of the above methods worked, follow these steps:
- Open
Task Manager(Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and terminate the processesSamsung*(if any). - Check if the utility is installed Samsung Wi-Fi - it can be removed through
Settings → Applications. - Restart your laptop and try to retrieve the password again via Command Prompt or Network Settings.
In most cases, proprietary software Samsung It doesn't block access to passwords, but it can change the display of network settings. If the problem persists, try reset network settings to standard:
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
6. What should I do if my password is not displayed?
If none of the methods helped, the reasons may be as follows:
- 🔒 The network is connected via WPS (button on the router), and the password is not saved in the system.
- 🖥️ The laptop is connected to the network via Ethernet (cable), not Wi-Fi.
- 👥 The account does not have administrator rights, and the system blocks access to passwords.
- 🔄 The network settings have been reset and the laptop has "forgotten" the password.
In such cases:
- Check your network connection - make sure your laptop is using Wi-Fi, not mobile data or cable.
- Try connecting to the network again and enter the password manually (if you remember it).
- Contact your network administrator (for example, at an office or public place).
- Reset the password on your router by clicking the button
Reset(usually a toothpick is required).
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi passwords on Samsung laptops
Is it possible to find out the password for a Wi-Fi network to which the laptop is not currently connected?
Yes, if the network is saved in memory. Use the command line (netsh wlan show profiles) or programs like WirelessKeyViewto see all saved networks. The password will be available even if the network is inactive.
Why is there no "Show input characters" button in "Network Settings"?
This means your account doesn't have administrator rights. Log in with an account that has administrator rights or use the command prompt (run as administrator).
Will the command line method work on Windows 7?
Yes, team netsh wlan show profile name="..." key=clear Supported in Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. Make sure to run the command prompt as administrator.
Is it possible to extract password from Samsung laptop on Mac or Linux?
No, the methods in this article are only for Windows. macOS passwords are stored in the Keychain, and on Linux — in configuration files (/etc/NetworkManager/).
What should I do if my password is displayed as asterisks (*) even in the command line?
This means that the network is connected via WPS or another authentication method that doesn't save the password. Try reconnecting manually or resetting your router.