Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and the sticker on your router has worn off? Or need to connect a new device but can't remember the combination? Windows 10 stores all saved wireless network passwords. — all that remains is to extract them the right way. In this article, we'll look at 5 working methods, including built-in system tools and third-party programs. No hacking tools or cracking—only legal solutions available to every user.
Important: All methods require administrative rights on your computer. If you're using a work PC with restricted access, some methods may be blocked by security policies. Also, keep in mind that passwords for public networks (cafes, airports) are often encrypted and not displayed clearly.
Before you begin, please check: your computer must be already connected to the target Wi-Fi network (or connected previously). If the network has never been used on this device, you won't be able to retrieve the password—it simply isn't in the system. In this case, you'll have to reset the router or contact your ISP.
Method 1: View your password through Windows Settings (without the command line)
The easiest method is to use the graphical interface Windows 10It doesn't require any command knowledge and is suitable for beginners. Here are the step-by-step instructions:
1. Open the menu Start and go to Settings → Network & Internet.
2. Select a section in the left menu Wi-Fi, then press Managing known networks.
3. Find the desired network in the list and click on it. A button will appear. Properties - press it.
Now you need to go to network security settings:
- 📌 Scroll down to the block
Properties. - 🔍 Find the line
Security type- there will be a button nearbyShow symbols(orShow characters(in the English version). - 🔑 After clicking on it in the field
Network security keyYour password will be displayed.
⚠️ Attention: If the button Show symbols If your account is inactive, it means your account doesn't have administrator rights. Try logging in with a different account or using alternative methods.
Make sure your PC is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network|
Check administrator rights|
Open Settings from the Start menu instead of Search|
Please use your mouse - some elements are not active when using the keyboard-->
Method 2: Command Prompt - A Quick Method for Advanced Users
If the GUI seems slow, you can extract the password using 30 seconds through cmdThis method is universal and works even on older versions. Windows.
1. Open command prompt as administrator:
- 🔎 Enter in search
cmd. - 🖱️ Right-click on the result and select
Run as administrator.
2. Enter the command to view all saved networks:
netsh wlan show profilesIn the list, find the name of the desired network (for example, TP-Link_1234) and copy it.
3. Run the command to extract the password (replace NETWORK_NAME to the real name):
netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK_NAME" key=clear4. Find the block in the results Security parameters - line Key content (Key Content) contains the password you are looking for.
💡 Helpful tip: If the network name contains spaces, enclose it in quotation marks: name="My 2.4G Network"Otherwise the command will not work.
What to do if the command doesn't work?
If you see the error "Failed to execute command" after entering the command, check:
1. Correct spelling of the network name (case is important!).
2. Having administrative rights (running cmd as administrator is required).
3. Previous network connection - if the PC has never connected to this Wi-Fi, there is no data in the system.
4. Antivirus or firewall blocking access to network settings (temporary disabling may help).
Method 3: Using PowerShell for Advanced Users
PowerShell — a more powerful tool than cmd, and also allows you to extract passwords. This method is useful if you need save all network passwords to a file or automate the process.
1. Launch PowerShell as administrator (similarly cmd via search).
2. Enter the command to display all saved profiles:
netsh wlan show profiles | Select-String "\:(.+)$" | %{$name=$_.Matches.Groups[1].Value.Trim(); $_} | %{(netsh wlan show profile name="$name" key=clear)} | Select-String "Key Content\W+\:(.+)$" | %{$pass=$_.Matches.Groups[1].Value.Trim(); [PSCustomObject]@{ PROFILE_NAME=$name;PASSWORD=$pass }} | Format-Table -AutoSizeThis command will automatically extract names of all networks and their passwords, displaying them in a table. If you want to save the result to a file, add the following to the end:
| Out-File -FilePath "C:\wifi_passwords.txt"⚠️ Attention: Password file (wifi_passwords.txt) will contain confidential informationKeep it in a secure place and delete it after use to avoid data leakage.
| Method | Complexity | Admin rights required | Suitable for all networks | Automation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Settings | ⭐ (simple) | Yes | For current network only | No |
| Command line | ⭐⭐ (average) | Yes | For all saved networks | Partially |
| PowerShell | ⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) | Yes | For all saved networks | Yes |
| Third-party utilities | ⭐ (simple) | Sometimes | Depends on the program | Yes |
Method 4: Third-party programs - when built-in tools don't help
If standard methods do not work (for example, due to corporate policy restrictions), you can use specialized utilitiesThey often offer additional features, such as password export or recovery of deleted profiles.
Popular programs:
- 🛠️ WirelessKeyView (from NirSoft) is a free utility that displays all saved Wi-Fi passwords. It requires no installation and runs on a portable version.
- 🔐 WiFi Password Revealer - simple interface, supports export to
.txtAnd.csv. - 📊 Magical Jelly Bean WiFi Password Revealer — displays passwords in a convenient format with the ability to copy.
⚠️ Attention: Download programs only from the official websites of the developers (For example, nirsoft.net). Utilities from third-party sources may contain malicious code disguised as legitimate software. Before using, check the files through VirusTotal.
🔹 Important: Some antivirus programs (for example, Avast or Kaspersky) can block utilities like WirelessKeyView, considering them "potentially dangerous." This is a false positive—add the program to the exceptions list or temporarily disable protection.
Method 5: Viewing the password through the Windows registry (for advanced users)
All Wi-Fi settings, including passwords, are stored in Windows registryThis method is suitable if other options are unavailable, but requires caution—incorrect registry changes can lead to system failures.
1. Open registry editor:
- 🔎 Click
Win + R, enterregeditand confirm. - 🛡️ Confirm your request UAC (User Account Control).
2. Follow the path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Wlansvc\Interfaces\There will be folders with unique network interface identifiers.
3. In each folder, find the section Profiles, and within it are subfolders with network names. The password is stored in the parameter PSKValue, But it is encryptedTo decrypt it, you will need additional software (for example, Mimikatz), which is beyond the scope of this article.
⚠️ Warning: Editing the registry without experience can lead to Wi-Fi or the entire system is not workingWe recommend using this method only as a last resort and creating a restore point first:
- 🔄 Open
Control Panel → Recovery → Configure System Restore. - 💾 Click
Createand follow the instructions.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Even when following the instructions, users are still encountering problems. Let's take a look. top 5 mistakes and their solutions:
1. "Failed to execute command" in cmd
- Reason: lack of admin rights or typo in the network name.
- Solution: Check the case of your characters and run the command prompt as administrator.
2. The "Show symbols" button is inactive.
- Reason: account with limited rights (guest or standard).
- Solution: Log in as an administrator or ask the administrator to enter the password.
3. The password is displayed as dots or asterisks.
- Reason: some versions Windows 10 hide symbols by default.
- Solution: Click on the password field and press Ctrl + C, then paste it into notepad - the symbols will become visible.
4. The network is not listed netsh wlan show profiles
- Reason: The PC has never connected to this network or the profile has been deleted.
- Solution: Connect to the network at least once to Windows saved the data.
5. Antivirus blocks password viewing utilities
- Reason: false positive for programs like WirelessKeyView.
- Solution: temporarily disable your antivirus or add the program to the exceptions.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Is it possible to find out the password for a Wi-Fi network I haven't connected to?
No. Windows 10 Stores passwords only for networks the computer has connected to at least once. If the network is new, retrieving its password through the system is impossible—access to the router or assistance from the network administrator is required.
Will this instruction work on Windows 11?
Yes, all the methods described (except for minor changes in the interface) are applicable to Windows 11For example, the path in the network settings remained the same, and the commands netsh work without changes.
Is it possible to find out the password from an Android phone?
On Android Before version 10, this was impossible without root rights. Starting with Android 10+, the password can be found in the network settings (path: Settings → Wi-Fi → Network name → Share), but you will need to enter the device PIN.
What should I do if my password is displayed in hieroglyphs?
This is a sign of encoding failure. Try copying the password (Ctrl + C) and paste it into Notepad—the characters should display correctly. If not, check your system language (it should be English or Russian) or use an alternative method (for example, PowerShell).
How to protect your passwords from strangers?
To prevent passwords from being extracted using the methods described:
- 🔒 Use Microsoft account with a PIN code instead of a local account.
- 🛡️ Set up BitLocker to encrypt the system disk.
- 🚫 Restrict the rights of standard users through
gpedit.msc(For Windows Pro). - 🔄 Change your router passwords regularly (especially if other devices are connected to the network).