Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and the label on your router has worn off? Or need to connect a new device but can't be bothered to find the piece of paper with the code? On a Windows 10 laptop, the password for any saved network is stored in the system — it can be easily removed without resetting the router or calling the provider. In this article, we'll look at three working methods: via network settings, command line, and specialized utilities. All methods have been tested on the latest builds. Windows 10 (including 22H2) and do not require administrator rights (with one exception).
Important: If you have never connected to this network from your current laptop, The password cannot be extracted Windows doesn't store data about unknown access points. These methods also won't work for guest networks (such as those in cafes or airports), where access is granted through a login portal.
Before you begin, make sure your laptop is is now connected to the desired Wi-Fi network (or was previously connected). If the network is "forgotten" (removed from the list of saved networks), the password can only be recovered through the router settings.
Method 1: Via Windows Settings (without commands)
The easiest method is to use the built-in network management menu. does not require administrator rights and works even on accounts with limited rights. Suitable for Windows 10 all versions, including LTSC And Enterprise.
Instructions:
- Open the menu
Startand selectParameters(gear icon). - Go to the section
Network and Internet. - In the left menu, click
Wi-Fi, then -Managing known networks. - Find the required network in the list and click on it.
- Click the button
Properties. - Scroll down to the block
Network passwordand pressShow.
Done! The password will be displayed in the text field. If the button Show is inactive, then your account no rights to view (See the Troubleshooting section below).
The laptop is connected to the desired Wi-Fi network (or was connected previously)
The account has permission to view network settings.
The network is not a guest network (for example, in a hotel or cafe)
WPS is not enabled on the router (in this case, the password may not be saved)
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Method 2: Via the command line (for advanced users)
If the graphical interface is unavailable for some reason (for example, due to a system crash), The password can be extracted through Command PromptThis method is faster and does not depend on Windows versions, but it requires precise command entry.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
- Click
Win + Xand selectCommand Prompt (Administrator)orWindows PowerShell (Administrator). - 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). - Display network information by replacing
NETWORK_NAMEto the real name:netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK_NAME" key=clear - In the block
Security parametersfind the lineKey content- this is the password.
⚠️ Attention: If the command returns an error Access denied, then your account doesn't have administrative rights. Try running the command prompt as a different user or use method 1.
What to do if the command doesn't work?
If after entering netsh wlan show profiles You see an empty list, this means that:
1. The laptop has never been connected to Wi-Fi (only via cable).
2. All saved networks were deleted manually via Managing known networks.
3. A virtual machine is being used or corporate policy blocks access to data.
In this case, you can only recover the password through the router settings (see method 4 in this article).
Method 3: Using third-party programs (if standard methods don’t work)
If the first two methods did not work (for example, due to security policy restrictions on the corporate network), you can use specialized utilitiesThey read passwords directly from the system registry, where Windows stores network data.
Top 3 proven programs:
- 🔹 WirelessKeyView (from NirSoft) - free, portable (no installation required), shows all saved passwords in a table. Download from the official website.
- 🔹 WiFi Password Revealer — simple interface, export passwords to a file. Supports Windows 7/8/10/11.
- 🔹 Magical Jelly Bean WiFi Password Revealer — displays passwords in a convenient format, works without administrator rights (in most cases).
⚠️ Attention: Download programs only from official websites Developers! Many "cracked" versions of password viewing utilities contain malicious code.
Instructions for WirelessKeyView:
- Download the archive with the program and unzip it.
- Run the file
WirelessKeyView.exe(administrator rights are not required). - Find the required network in the table - the password will be in the column
Key (Ascii). - Export data to if necessary.
TXTorHTMLthrough the menuFile → Save All Items.
Method 4: Using the router settings (if the laptop is not connected to the network)
If a laptop never connected to the desired Wi-Fi network, but you have access to the router, The password can be viewed in its web interfaceThis method is universal and works regardless of the operating system.
Steps for most routers (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, D-Link):
- Connect your laptop to the router via cable (or via Wi-Fi if you know the old password).
- Open your browser and enter your router's IP address in the address bar. This is usually:
192.168.0.1(For D-Link, TP-Link)192.168.1.1(For ASUS, Zyxel)192.168.8.1(For Huawei)
The exact address can be found on the sticker on the back of the router.
admin/admin or admin/empty).Wireless network (or Wi-Fi, Wireless).Password, Key or PSK — the current security key is displayed here.⚠️ Attention: If you have not changed the default login details for your router, change them first in the section System or Administration. Using factory admin/admin makes your network vulnerable to hacking.
| Router brand | Web interface address | Default login/password | Wi-Fi password section |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link | 192.168.0.1 or tplinkwifi.net |
admin/admin |
Wireless → Wireless Security |
| ASUS | 192.168.1.1 or router.asus.com |
admin/admin |
Wireless Network → Settings |
| Keenetic | 192.168.1.1 or my.keenetic.net |
admin/1234 |
Wi-Fi → Hotspot |
| D-Link | 192.168.0.1 or dlinkrouter.local |
admin/empty or admin/admin |
Wi-Fi → Security |
Troubleshooting: Why isn't my password displayed?
Sometimes even after completing all the steps the password not shown or shown as dotsThe reasons and ways to eliminate them will be discussed:
1. No administrator rights
- 🔧 If the button
ShowIf the "Unclear" option is grayed out in Windows settings, your account doesn't have sufficient rights. Solutions:- Temporarily log in as an administrator.
- Use command prompt with administrator rights (method 2).
- Run the program WirelessKeyView on behalf of the administrator.
2. The network has been removed from the list of saved networks.
- 🔄 If your laptop hasn't connected to a network in a while, Windows may have deleted its data to save space. In this case:
- Reconnect to the network (enter the password manually).
- Or recover the password via the router (method 4).
3. Corporate policy blocks access
- 🏢 Work laptops often have Group Policy restrictions. Workaround:
- Try using WirelessKeyView - It reads data directly from the registry.
- Contact your company's IT department (extracting the password yourself may violate security regulations).
4. The password is hidden due to the encryption type
- 🔐 If the network uses
WPA3-Enterpriseor802.1X(often in offices), the password is stored in encrypted form and is not displayed by standard methods. Solution:- Use the program Mimikatz (for experienced users).
- Please contact your network administrator.
What is WPA3 and why might the password not be displayed?
WPA3 — a new Wi-Fi encryption standard that uses individual data encryption for each device. In corporate networks with WPA3-Enterprise The password is not stored locally on the device, but is generated dynamically upon connection. In this case, it can only be retrieved through an authentication server (e.g., Radius), which is not available to ordinary users.
Security: How to protect your password from leakage
Now that you know how to easily extract Wi-Fi password, It's worth thinking about protecting your networkHere are the key precautions:
1. Use a complex password
- 🔐 Minimum length —
12 characters. - 🔢 Include numbers, capital letters, and special characters (e.g.
!@#$%). - ❌ Avoid obvious combinations like
12345678orqwerty.
2. Disable WPS
- 🚫 Function WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) is vulnerable to brute-force attacks. Disable it in your router settings.
3. Update your router firmware
- 🔄 Manufacturers regularly patch vulnerabilities. Check for updates every 3-6 months.
4. Hide your SSID (not always effective, but makes it harder for attackers to find)
- 👁️ Enable the option in your router settings
Hide SSIDThis won't make the network invisible to experienced hackers, but it will reduce the number of accidental connections.
5. Use a guest network for friends
- 🎮 If you often have guests, set up a separate guest network with limited access to local resources.
Important: If you suspect that your Wi-Fi has been hacked (the Internet has become slower, unknown devices have appeared in the list of connected devices), change your password immediately and check the router for malware (for example, through Dr.Web CureIt!).
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Is it possible to find out the password for a Wi-Fi network that the laptop has never connected to?
No. Windows only stores passwords for networks your laptop has connected to at least once. If the network isn't on the list Managing known networks, you can only recover the password through the router settings (method 4) or by contacting the network owner.
Do these methods work on Windows 11?
Yes, all the described methods (via parameters, command line and programs) work on Windows 11The interface has changed a little, but the logic remains the same. For example, in Windows 11 path to password: Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks.
Is it possible to view a password from an Android phone?
On Android 10+ this is only possible with rights root or through ADBWithout root, there is no access to system files where passwords are stored. iPhone It is impossible to extract the password without jailbreak.
Alternative: connect your phone to your laptop via USB, turn it on Modem mode and look at the password on your PC (if your phone is distributing Wi-Fi).
What should I do if my password is displayed as dots and cannot be copied?
This is a Windows limitation for non-administrator accounts. Solutions:
- Copy the password manually (if at least some of the characters are visible).
- Use the command line (method 2) - the password is displayed in clear text there.
- Run the program WirelessKeyView on behalf of the administrator.
Is it possible to recover the password if the router was reset to factory settings?
No. After reset (Reset) all settings, including the Wi-Fi password, are reset to factory defaults. The new password will be located on the router sticker (usually a random set of characters like TP-LINK_123456). After the first login be sure to change it to a more reliable one!