How to see your Wi-Fi password on Windows 10: all the ways for forgetful users

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and the sticker on your router has worn off? Or do you need to connect a new device, but you're too lazy to look for the piece of paper with the code? Windows 10 There are several ways to retrieve a saved network password—and you don't need to be an IT specialist to do it. The main thing is to have administrator rights on the computer and remember that Viewing passwords is only possible for those networks to which the device has already connected..

In this article we will analyze all the current methods: from standard system tools (through Parameters And Command line) to third-party programs for advanced users. We'll also explain why passwords can sometimes appear as dots—and how to fix it. If you're worried about breaking your system, don't worry: none of the methods described require editing the registry or installing questionable software.

A word of warning: If your computer is connected to a corporate network with domain authentication (for example, at an office or university), these methods won't workIn such cases, passwords are stored on the server, not locally. You also won't be able to find out the password for your neighbor's network—only for those access points you've previously connected to.

Method 1: Via Windows Settings (the easiest)

This is the official method from Microsoft, which doesn't require knowledge of commands or the installation of additional programs. Suitable for users who want to quickly find a password without unnecessary manipulation.

Instructions:

• 🖱️ Open the menu Start and select Parameters (gear icon) or click Win + I.
• 📡 Go to the section Network and Internet → Status → Network and Sharing Center.
• 🔗 In the window that opens, click on the name of your Wi-Fi network (link next to Connections).
• 🔐 In the new window, click Wireless Network Properties → Security and check the box Show entered characters.

Done! The password will be displayed in the field. Network security keyIf the field is empty or filled with dots and the checkbox is inactive, your account doesn't have administrator rights. In this case, try other methods or sign in with an account that has the necessary rights.

⚠️ Note: In some builds Windows 10 (especially corporate) section Network and Sharing Center may be hidden by security policies. In this case, use command line (method 2).

Method 2: Via the command line (for advanced users)

This method is more stable than the graphical interface and is suitable for cases where Windows Settings The commands don't display the password. These commands don't require superuser privileges, but they must be run as administrator.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open Command line as administrator: click Win + X and select Command Prompt (Administrator) or Windows PowerShell (Administrator).
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. Display the password for a specific network:

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

   Replace NETWORK_NAME to the name of your Wi-Fi (in quotes!).

The password you are looking for will be in the line Key content (See screenshot below). If the password field is blank, it means the network hasn't saved the security key (for example, it's a guest network without a password).

The network name is spelled correctly (case sensitive)

The command prompt is run as administrator.

The computer has previously connected to this network-->

⚠️ Warning: If you use Windows 10 On a work computer with a domain policy, the command may return an error Access deniedThis means your network administrator has blocked password viewing. In this case, please contact your IT support.

Method 3: Via PowerShell (alternative to the command line)

PowerShell — a more powerful tool than the classic command line. It allows you to not only view passwords but also export them to a file for backup. This method is useful if you need to save passwords for all networks at once.

How to find out the password:

• 📜 Launch PowerShell as administrator (Win + X → Windows PowerShell (Administrator)).
• 🔍 Enter the command to display all saved passwords:

  (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 will appear as a table with network names and passwords.

If you need to save passwords to a text file (for example, for a backup), add the following to the end of the command:

| Out-File -FilePath "C:\wifi_passwords.txt" -Encoding UTF8

File wifi_passwords.txt will appear on the disk C:.

Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

Set-ExecutionPolicy Restricted -Scope CurrentUser

Method 4: Using third-party programs

If standard methods don't work or you need to manage passwords regularly, you can use specialized utilities. They offer additional features, such as password export, QR code generation for quickly connecting other devices, and network security testing.

Top 3 proven programs:

• 🛡️ WirelessKeyView (from NirSoft) is a free utility that displays all saved Wi-Fi passwords. It requires no installation and runs without administrator rights (though with limitations). Download from the official website.
• 🔑 WiFi Password Revealer — a simple program with the ability to copy passwords to the clipboard. Supports export to .txt And .csv.
• 📊 Magical Jelly Bean WiFi Password Revealer — in addition to passwords, it shows the signal strength, encryption type, and MAC address of the router.

How to use WirelessKeyView:

1. Download the archive with the program and unzip it.
2. Run the file WirelessKeyView.exe (for 64-bit system use WirelessKeyView_x64.exe).
3. Find the required network in the table - the password will be in the column Key (Ascii).
4. If necessary, copy it or export it to a file via File → Save All Items.

⚠️ Warning: Download programs only from the official websites of the developers! Password viewing utilities are often counterfeited by hackers who add viruses to them. Before using, check the file using VirusTotal.

Why might the password not be displayed?

Sometimes, even after following all the instructions, the password remains hidden or the field is blank. Let's look at the main causes and solutions:

If you connected to the network via WPS (button on the router), the password may not have been saved in the system. In this case, it can only be found through the router's web interface (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).

Through "Windows Settings"

Via the command line

Via PowerShell

Using a third-party program-->

Bonus: How to share Wi-Fi with guests without revealing the password

If you need to share your network with friends but don't want to tell them your password, there are two secure ways:

• 📱 QR codeGenerate code using the program WiFi Password Revealer or an online service (for example, qifi.org). The guest only needs to scan it with his phone camera.
• 🔄 Guest network: Set up a separate network for guests in the router (usually the option is in the section Wi-Fi → Guest Network). It will have its own password and restrictions on access to local devices.

To generate a QR code through PowerShell use the command:

$ssid = "NETWORK_NAME"; $password = "PASSWORD"; $qr = "WIFI:S:$ssid;T:WPA;P:$password;;"; $qr | Out-File -FilePath "C:\wifi_qr.txt" -Encoding UTF8

Then encode the text from the file wifi_qr.txt in QR using any online generator.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions