How to see the Wi-Fi password on a Windows 10 laptop: all the working methods

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password and there's no sticker with the code on your router? Or need to connect a new device but can't be bothered to go through the router settings? On a laptop with Windows 10 there is at least 5 ways Find out the saved password for a wireless network—without resetting your equipment or calling your ISP. The main requirement is that your computer is already connected (or at least has been connected) to this network.

In this article - step-by-step instructions with pictures, including methods through Windows Settings, Command line, PowerShell and even third-party utilities. And also answers to frequently asked questions: what to do if a network isn't listed, how to restore access after resetting a router, and why some methods don't work for guest accounts. Let's start with the simplest!

1. View your password through Windows Settings (without commands)

The most obvious and safest method is to use the built-in settings. Windows 10It is suitable if your laptop Now Connected to the desired network (or previously connected). No additional programs or administrator rights are required.

Instructions:

• 🖱️ Open the menu Start → click on the icon ⚙️ Parameters (or click Win + I).
• 📡 Go to the section Network and Internet → tab Wi-Fi.
• 🔍 Scroll down and click Managing known networks.
• 📋 Select the desired network from the list → click Properties.
• 🔑 In the field Network password press the button Show symbols (you will be asked to enter your Windows account password, if one is set).

If the button Show symbols inactive or the network is not listed - proceed to the next method. Please note: This method will only show the password for those networks to which the laptop was connected. under your accountGuest profiles or networks added by another user will not be displayed here.

2. Command line: a universal method for all networks

If the graphical interface doesn't help, help will come command lineThis method works even for networks the laptop hasn't connected to for a long time, and will reveal the password. any saved network (provided you have administrator rights).

Step-by-step instructions:

1. 🔍 Click Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter (or search for "Command Prompt").
2. 📜 Enter the command to view all saved networks:

   netsh wlan show profiles

   Remember the exact name of the network you need (case is important!).

3. 🔐 To see your password, follow these steps:

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

   Replace NETWORK_NAME to the name from the previous step (in quotation marks!).

4. 📝 Find the line Key content - this is your password.

This method works in 99% of cases, but it requires precise command entry. If you get an error Failed to execute command, check:

• 🔹 The network name is correct (including spaces and case).
• 🔹 Is the command prompt running? as administrator (right-click on the icon → “Run as administrator”).
• 🔹 Has the network been removed from the list of known networks (check via Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks).

3. PowerShell: A Command Prompt Alternative for Advanced Users

PowerShell — a more powerful tool than the standard command line. It allows you to not only view the password but also export all saved networks to a file. This method is useful if you need save a backup copy all Wi-Fi passwords or automate the process (for example, for an office network).

How to find out the password via PowerShell:

1. 🛠️ Click Win + X → select Windows PowerShell (Administrator).
2. 📜 Enter the command to view all 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

After running the command, you will see a table with all saved networks and their passwords. This method the fastest to view multiple networks at once, but requires exact copying of the command (better copy it from here!).

What should I do if PowerShell gives me an error?

If you see the message "Unable to load file...", PowerShell scripts are most likely disabled on your system. You can fix this with the command Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned (enter it in a new PowerShell session as administrator and confirm the change).

4. View the password in the Network and Sharing Center (for Windows 10 older than 1809)

In older versions Windows 10 (before the update October 2018 Update, version 1809) there was an alternative way to view the password through Network and Sharing CenterIt still works, but may be absent on newer OS builds.

Instructions:

• 🖱️ Right-click on the Wi-Fi icon in the tray (bottom right) → select Open Network & Internet Settings.
• 📡 Go to Network and Sharing Center (link at the bottom of the page).
• 🔗 Click on the name of your network (next to Connections).
• 🛠️ In the window that opens, click Wireless network properties → tab Security.
• 🔑 Check the box Show entered characters — the password will be displayed in the field Network security key.

If the point Network and Sharing Center No, it means your version of Windows doesn't support it. In this case, use command line or PowerShell.

5. Third-party programs: when standard methods don’t work

If none of the above methods worked (for example, the network is not displayed in the list or you are using a guest account), help will come specialized utilitiesThey can extract passwords from Windows system files, even if access to them is restricted.

Top 3 proven programs:

⚠️ Attention! Download programs only from official websites (Links in the table). Many "cracked" versions of password viewing utilities contain viruses or spyware. After using them, we recommend uninstalling the program and scanning your system with an antivirus.

How to use WirelessKeyView (for example):

1. 📥 Download the archive with the program and unzip it.
2. 🛠️ Run the file WirelessKeyView.exe (as administrator).
3. 📋 In the program window, you will see a list of all saved networks with a column Key (Ascii) — these are passwords.
4. 💾 If necessary, export the data to a text file via File → Save All Items.

6. What to do if none of the methods worked?

If you've tried all the methods but still can't find your password, there may be a few reasons:

• 🔹 Laptop never connected to this network (or the network was removed from the list of known ones).
• 🔹 You are using guest account or an account with limited rights.
• 🔹 The password has been changed on the router after the last connection.
• 🔹 The network uses enterprise authentication (for example, in offices or universities).

Solutions:

1. 🔧 Reset your router to factory settings (button Reset on the back panel) - this will return the standard password (indicated on the device sticker). ⚠️ Attention! After resetting, all personal router settings (including network name, password, and ISP binding) will be lost. You will need to set up your internet connection again.
2. 📞 Contact us to the provider — Many operators store passwords for distributed routers in their personal accounts.
3. 🔍 Check it out sticker on the router - sometimes the standard password is specified in the section Wi-Fi Key or Password.
4. 🖥️ Connect the router to your computer via cable and log into its web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) to see the current password.

If you rent a place or use an office network, it's best to confirm the password with the router owner—resetting it yourself could disrupt internet access for other users.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about viewing Wi-Fi passwords

❓ Is it possible to find out the password for a Wi-Fi network the laptop has never connected to?

No, if the laptop hasn't been connected to the network before, the password isn't saved in the system. The only options are:

• 🔹 Find out the password from the router owner.
• 🔹 Reset the router to factory settings (the password will be the default one from the sticker).
• 🔹 Connect to the router via cable and view the password in its settings.

❓ Why isn't my Wi-Fi network listed in my saved networks?

Possible reasons:

• 🔹 The network has been removed from the list of known (via Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks).
• 🔹 The laptop was connected to the network under a different Windows account.
• 🔹 Network settings were reset after a Windows update or system reinstallation.

Solution: Reconnect to the network for it to appear in the list.

❓ Do these methods work on Windows 11?

Yes, all the methods described (except for the section about Network and Sharing Center) work in Windows 11The interface may be slightly different, but the principles are the same:

• 🔹 Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks.
• 🔹 Teams netsh wlan in the command line.
• 🔹 Utilities like WirelessKeyView.

❓ Is it possible to find out the password from an Android or iPhone phone?

On Android (version 10 and above) you can view the password through the settings:

1. 📱 Open Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. 🔍 Click on your network name → Share.
3. 🔑 Enter your lock screen PIN or password – a QR code with the password will appear.

On iPhone (iOS) You can't view your password using standard tools, but you can:

• 🔹 Reset the router.
• 🔹 Use Mac with synchronized iCloud Keychain (Wi-Fi passwords are stored there).

❓ Is it safe to use third-party password viewers?

Yes, if you download them only from official websites (For example, NirSoft or Magical Jelly Bean). Risks:

• 🔸 Some antivirus programs block such utilities (false positives for "hacker tools").
• 🔸 Cracked versions of programs may contain viruses.

Recommendation: after use, uninstall the program and scan the system with an antivirus.