Forgot your home or office Wi-Fi password, but your computer is still connected? This situation is familiar to many: your ISP or neighbor set up your router, wrote the password down on a piece of paper that's long since been lost, and now you need to connect a new device. Luckily, Find out the saved Wi-Fi password on your computer It can be done in just a few minutes - without resetting the router or losing internet connection.
In this article we will analyze 5 proven methodsHow to view your Wi-Fi password Windows 10/11 And macOS, including methods through command line, Control Panel And special utilitiesWe'll also explain why some methods may not work, and what to do if your computer never connected to the required network (spoiler: you'll have to go into your router settings).
⚠️ Important: All methods in the article only work for networks to which the computer already connected or connected previously. If the device has never been connected to the network, the password can only be found through router settings.
Method 1: Via Windows Settings (the easiest)
If your computer is running Windows 10 or Windows 11 If you're currently connected to Wi-Fi, the fastest way to find out the password is through the system's graphical interface. This method doesn't require administrator rights and works even on limited accounts.
Instructions:
- 🖥️ Open Windows Settings (
Win + I) and go to the sectionNetwork and Internet → Wi-Fi. - 📶 In the block Related parameters click
Additional network settings(V Windows 11) orManaging known networks(V Windows 10). - 🔍 Find the desired Wi-Fi network in the list and click on its name. Then select
Properties. - 🔑 Scroll down to the section Security parameters and press
Show symbolsnext to the fieldNetwork security key.
Done! The password will be displayed in text form. If the button Show symbols is inactive, then your account does not have permission to view passwords. In this case, use command line method.
Make sure your computer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network | Open Settings as administrator (if the button is grayed out) | Check if displaying passwords is disabled by Group Policy (on corporate networks) -->
Method 2: via command line (universal)
Command line (CMD) is the most reliable way to find out the Wi-Fi password on Windows, as it works even if the graphical interface is locked or damaged. This method requires administrator rights, but is suitable for all versions of the system, including Windows 7.
Step-by-step instructions:
- Open Command prompt as administrator:
- 🔍 In Windows search, type
cmd. - 🖱️ Right-click on the result and select
Run as administrator.
- 🔍 In Windows search, type
netsh wlan show profilesRemember the exact name of the network you need (case is important!).
netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK_NAME" key=clearReplace NETWORK_NAME to the name of your Wi-Fi (for example, TP-Link_1234).
Key content in the section Security parameters - this is the password.⚠️ Attention: If the command returns an error Failed to execute command, check:
- 🔄 The network name is correct (including spaces and case).
- 🛡️ Is the command prompt running? as administrator.
- 🖧 Is the computer connected to the network? via Wi-Fi (and not via cable).
What to do if the command does not show the password?
If there is no line in the command output Key content, this means that:
1. The computer has never connected to this network (the password is not saved).
2. The password was removed from the Windows storage manually or by a cleaning program (for example, CCleaner).
3. The network uses enterprise authentication (for example, in offices or universities), and the password is stored elsewhere.
In such cases, the only thing left is go to the router settings or reset it.
Method 3: Via PowerShell (CMD alternative)
PowerShell — a more powerful tool than the command line, and it also allows you to extract Wi-Fi passwords. This method is useful if CMD for some reason it doesn't work or you prefer scripts.
Instructions:
- Launch PowerShell as administrator (similar to CMD).
- Enter the command to list 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 the script doesn't work, try splitting it into parts or use the classic method with CMD.
Command Prompt (CMD)|PowerShell|Windows GUI|I don't know, haven't tried it yet-->
Method 4: How to find the Wi-Fi password on a Mac
On computers MacBook or iMac under control macOS Wi-Fi passwords are stored in a bunch of keys — a secure storage of system data. To view it, you don't need to install any additional programs.
Instructions for macOS Ventura and newer:
- 🔍 Open Spotlight (
Cmd + Space) and enterBunch of keys. - 🔐 In the left menu, select
System→Passwords. - 🔎 Enter the name of your Wi-Fi network in the search bar.
- 🖱️ Double-click on the found entry and check the box
Show password. - 🔑 Enter your account password Macto confirm access.
⚠️ Attention: If you are not an administrator on this Mac, the system may block viewing of the password. On corporate devices, access to the keychain is often restricted by security policies.
On older versions macOS (to Monterey) the path may differ slightly:
- Open
Programs → Utilities → Keychain. - In the category
SystemFind your Wi-Fi network. - Right click →
Copy the password to the clipboard.
Method 5: Third-party password viewer programs
If standard methods don't work or you need to save all Wi-Fi passwords to a file, you can use specialized utilities. These are convenient for administrators or users who frequently reinstall their systems and want to back up their network settings.
Top 3 Wi-Fi Password Viewers:
| Program | OS support | Peculiarities | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WirelessKeyView (NirSoft) | Windows 7–11 | Portable, no installation required, shows all saved passwords | NirSoft official website |
| WiFi Password Revealer | Windows 10/11 | Simple interface, export passwords to TXT/CSV | Magical Jelly Bean |
| Wifi Password Decryptor | Windows, macOS | Recovers passwords even after deleting network profiles | SecurityXploded |
⚠️ Warning: Download programs only from official websites of developersMany "Wi-Fi hackers" on the internet contain viruses or Trojans. Check the file for viruses or Trojans before using it. VirusTotal.
Method 6: If the computer is not connected to Wi-Fi (via a router)
If the computer never connected to the desired Wi-Fi network, all the previous methods will not work. In this case, the password can only be found through router settingsTo do this you will need:
- 🌐 Connect to the router via cable (or via Wi-Fi, if you know the password for another network).
- 🖧 Log in web interface router (usually at the address
192.168.0.1or192.168.1.1). - 🔑 Enter your login and password for access (by default, often
admin/adminor indicated on the router sticker).
Instructions for popular router models:
| Manufacturer | Wi-Fi password path | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TP-Link | Wireless → Wireless Security |
Password in the field PSK password |
| ASUS | Wireless Network → General |
Field WPA Pre-Shared Key |
| Keenetic | Wi-Fi → Hotspot |
Password in the section Security |
| MikroTik | Wireless → Security Profiles |
Requires knowledge RouterOS |
⚠️ Attention: If you haven't changed the default password for your router, you can find it on the sticker on the bottom of the device (field Password or Key). After entering the settings Be sure to change the default login/passwordto protect the network from hacking.
Security: What to do if your password is stolen?
Once you learn your Wi-Fi password, you gain access to the entire local network. This means an attacker with the same password can:
- 🖥️ Connect to your network drives or printers.
- 🕵️ Intercept traffic (for example, logins from websites without
HTTPS). - 💻 Infect other devices on the network with viruses.
To protect yourself:
- Immediately after viewing the password change it in the router settings (use at least 12 characters with numbers and special characters).
- Turn on WPA3 instead of WPA2 (if the router supports it).
- Turn it off
WPS- This function is easy to hack. - Set up guest network for temporary devices (eg friends).
⚠️ Warning: If you suspect that strangers have connected to your network, check the list of devices in the router settings (section DHCP or Connected devices). Unknown MAC addresses can be blocked.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Wi-Fi Passwords
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 profile is saved in Windows. Use command line or programs like WirelessKeyViewIf the profile is deleted, you can only do so through the router settings.
Why isn't my Wi-Fi network listed in my Mac's Keychain?
Possible reasons:
- You connected to the network via guest mode (password is not saved).
- The network uses enterprise authentication (for example, in universities).
- The password was deleted manually or after an update. macOS.
How to view a Wi-Fi password on Linux (Ubuntu, Mint)?
IN Linux passwords are stored in a file /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/NETWORK_NAME.nmconnectionOpen it with permissions. root and find the line psk=YOUR_PASSWORD.
Example command:
sudo cat /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/YourNetwork.nmconnection | grep psk=Is it possible to hack someone else's Wi-Fi if you know its name?
No. Modern encryption standards (WPA2/WPA3) reliably protect networks from password guessing. All "Wi-Fi hacking programs" on the internet are either scams or contain viruses. The use of such tools illegally and is punishable under Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Unauthorized access to computer information").
How do I reset my Wi-Fi password if I forgot my router information?
If you have forgotten both your Wi-Fi password and your router login details, the only thing left to do is hard reset:
- Click the button
Reseton the back panel of the router (usually you need to hold it for 10-15 seconds). - Connect to the router via cable and go to the settings at
192.168.0.1or192.168.1.1. - Use the standard login/password (indicated on the sticker).
- Set up a new Wi-Fi network with the original password.
⚠️ After resetting, all router settings will return to factory settings, including password from the provider (if it was written manually).