How to view your Wi-Fi password on a Windows laptop: all the working methods

Forgot your home or office Wi-Fi password, but your laptop is connected to the network? This situation is familiar to many: the router was set up a long time ago, the sticker with the password is missing, and you need to connect a new device to the internet. Luckily, Windows 10 And Windows 11 There are several ways to retrieve a saved password without resetting the router and losing settings.

In this article we will look at 5 proven methodsHow to view your Wi-Fi password on a laptop: from standard system tools to third-party utilities. You'll learn how to use Command line, Network parameters, Control Panel and even specialized password recovery programs. And what to do if your laptop isn't connected to the right network, but has connected before.

All instructions are valid for Windows 10 (versions 1809 and later) and Windows 11 (including the latest updates). If you're using an older OS version, some steps may differ—we'll warn you about this separately.

1. View your password through Windows Settings (the easiest way)

If your laptop currently connected This method takes less than a minute to connect to the Wi-Fi network whose password you want to find out. It doesn't require administrator rights and works even on accounts with limited rights.

Open the menu Start and go to Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi. In the section Related Parameters select Additional network settings (V Windows 11) or Configuring adapter settings (V Windows 10). A window will open. Network connections.

Next:

• 🔹 Find an active connection Wi-Fi (usually marked Wireless Network) and right-click on it.
• 🔹 Select Status → Wireless Properties.
• 🔹 Go to the tab Security and check the box Show entered characters.
• 🔹 The password will be displayed in the field Network security key.

⚠️ Attention: If the field Network security key empty or filled with asterisks, but a check mark Show entered characters If it doesn't work, it means the password isn't saved in the system. Try other methods from this article.

Is the laptop connected to the correct Wi-Fi network?|Do you have administrator rights (for some methods)?|Is the Wi-Fi adapter disabled in Device Manager?|Are you using a VPN or proxy that is blocking network settings?-->

2. Using the command line (universal method)

Command line (CMD) is the most reliable way to find out the Wi-Fi password, even if the laptop not connected to the network right now, but I connected to it before. The method works on all versions. Windows and does not require installation of additional software.

Open Command line as administrator (find it through the system search, right-click and select Run as administrator). Enter the command:

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

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

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

In the command output, find the section Security parameters. Lines Key content - this is your Wi-Fi password.

netsh wlan show profile name="My WiFi Network" key=clear

netsh wlan show profile name="WiFi#123" key=clear

To see list of all saved networks (if you don't remember the exact name), enter:

netsh wlan show profiles

⚠️ Attention: If the command returns an error Failed to execute command, check:

• 🔹 Is the network name spelled correctly (case is important!).
• 🔹 Is the command prompt running? as administrator.
• 🔹 Is the Wi-Fi adapter disabled? Device Manager.

3. Viewing the password through the Control Panel (an alternative to the settings)

This method is similar to the first one, but uses "Control Panel" — classic settings menu Windows. It will be useful if the interface Parameters has changed since the update or you prefer the old design.

Open Control Panel (find via search or click Win + R and enter control). Go to the section Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center. On the left, select Changing adapter settings.

Next steps:

• 🔹 Find an active connection Wi-Fi and right-click on it → State.
• 🔹 Click Wireless network properties → tab Security.
• 🔹 Check the box Show entered characters — the password will appear in the field Network security key.

If the button Wireless network properties is inactive, which means the connection is not established through Windows, but through third-party software (for example, Intel PROSet or Killer Networking). In this case, use command line (method 2) or check the settings in the adapter manufacturer's program.

netsh wlan export profile name="*" folder="C:\WiFi_Backup" key=clear

Files with extension .xml will contain all settings, including passwords. Keep them in a safe place!-->

4. How to find out the password if the laptop is not currently connected to Wi-Fi

If a laptop previously connected If you're connected to the desired network, but currently out of its coverage area, you can still extract the password. The following will work:

• 🔹 Command line (method 2) - shows all saved networks.
• 🔹 Third-party utilities (method 5) - for example, WirelessKeyView.
• 🔹 Backing up Wi-Fi profiles (if you created them).

If it's a laptop never connected to this network, the only options are:

• 🔹 View the password on another device (phone, tablet, PC) that is connected to Wi-Fi.
• 🔹 Reset the router to factory settings (using the button) Reset on the body) and configure it again.
• 🔹 Contact the network administrator (if it’s an office or public Wi-Fi).

⚠️ Attention: If you reset your router to factory settings, all connected devices will be disconnected and personal settings (such as DMZ, port forwarding, parental control) will have to be configured again. The factory password is usually located on a sticker on the bottom of the router (refers to the field Wi-Fi Password or Key).

5. Third-party programs for viewing Wi-Fi passwords

If standard methods don't work, you can use special utilitiesThey scan system files. Windows and extract saved passwords from all Wi-Fi networks. Popular programs:

• 🔹 WirelessKeyView (from NirSoft) - free, portable (no installation required).
• 🔹 WiFi Password Revealer - simple interface, shows passwords in one click.
• 🔹 Magical Jelly Bean WiFi Password Revealer — supports exporting passwords to a file.

Example of working with WirelessKeyView:

1. Download the program from official website (chapter Download WirelessKeyView).
2. Unzip the archive and run WirelessKeyView.exe (administrator rights are not required).
3. Find the required network in the table - the password will be in the column Key (Ascii).

Advantages of third-party utilities:

• 🔹 Showing passwords all saved networks, even if the laptop is not connected to them at the moment.
• 🔹 Yes, you can. export list V HTML, XML or TXT.
• 🔹 Work on Windows 7/8/10/11.

⚠️ Attention: Download programs only from official developer websites! Password extraction utilities are often counterfeited by hackers who add viruses or spyware. Before running, check the file using VirusTotal.

6. Additional tips and common problems

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔹 Is the Wi-Fi adapter working?. Open device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager) and check if there is an exclamation mark next to Network adapters.
• 🔹 Is the antivirus blocking it? Access network settings. Temporarily disabling protection may help.
• 🔹 Are you using a VPN or proxy?, which may interfere with the operation of the command line.

If you network administrator and often face the problem of forgotten passwords, consider:

• 🔹 Creating a guest network on a router with a simple password (for example, guest1234).
• 🔹 Using a QR code to connect (many modern routers support this function).
• 🔹 Storing passwords in the manager (For example, Bitwarden or KeePass).

For advanced users: If you work with networks often, learn the commands netsh more details. For example, to delete saved network, use:

netsh wlan delete profile name="NETWORK_NAME"

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about viewing Wi-Fi passwords

security find-generic-password -wa "NETWORK_NAME"