How to find out any Wi-Fi password on a computer: official and hidden methods

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and the sticker on your router has worn off? Or need to connect a new device, but the owner of the network is away? Situations vary, but the solution is always the same: retrieve saved password from computer, which is already connected to this network. Unlike dubious "hacks" through Kali Linux or Aircrack-ng, we will consider legal methods, which operate without breaking the law and do not require deep technical knowledge.

It is important to understand: if the computer never connected to the target network, none of the described methods will work. Also, all methods assume that you have administrative rights On a PC, access to system settings will be limited without them. Now let's move on to practical use: from simple clicks in the graphical interface to the command line for advanced users.

1. View the password through "Network Settings" (Windows 10/11)

The most obvious and safest way is to use built-in tools WindowsIt is suitable for all versions of the system, starting from Windows 7, and does not require the installation of additional software. The main requirement is that the computer must be actively connected to the network whose password you want to know (or connected to previously - the system saves data even after disconnection).

Open Windows Settings (keys Win + I) and go to the section Network and Internet → Wi-FiHere in the block Related Parameters select Additional network settingsThe classic control panel will open, where you need to click on the name of your network (in the list Wireless Network) and press the button Wireless Network Properties.

In the new window, go to the tab "Safety"Here you will see a field Network Security Key — this is your password, but by default it's hidden behind dots. To see it, check the box next to "Show input characters"The system may request administrator rights - confirm the action.

⚠️ Attention: If the field Security Key If the password is empty or filled with asterisks, but the checkbox doesn't remove the masking, it means the password isn't saved in the system. This happens when connecting via WPS or if the network is configured as "guest" without saving the key.

• ✅ Works without the Internet and third-party programs
• ✅ No command line knowledge required
• ⚠️ It won't show the password if the computer was connected via WPS or Enterprise network (corporate)
• 🔧 Alternative route: Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings (right-click on the network → "Status")

2. Command Prompt: A Universal Method for All Windows Versions

If the graphical interface is unavailable for some reason (for example, due to a crash Windows Shell), will come to the rescue command lineThis method works even in Safe Mode and doesn't depend on the OS version. You'll need administrator rights and the exact network name.

Open Command prompt as administrator (find in search cmd, right-click → "Run as administrator"). Enter the command:

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

Replace NETWORK_NAME to the actual name of your Wi-Fi network (case-sensitive!). For example, if the network is called "MyWiFi_5G", the command will be:

netsh wlan show profile name="MyWiFi_5G" key=clear

In the execution results, find the block Security Settings. Lines Key Contents — this is your password. If instead of a password you see a message "Absent", this means the key is not saved in the system (see the warning in the previous section).

Make sure the command prompt is running as administrator.

Please enter the network name correctly (including spaces and case)

Check if the computer has connected to this network before

If the network contains spaces, put the name in quotation marks ("")

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⚠️ Attention: In corporate networks (with authentication) 802.1X) This method will only show the connection settings, but not the password. Also, the command will not work if the network profile was manually deleted via netsh wlan delete profile.

3. PowerShell: An Alternative to CMD for Advanced Users

PowerShell — a more powerful tool than the classic command line. It allows you not only to view passwords but also to export them to a file for further use. This method is useful for system administrators or those managing multiple networks.

Launch PowerShell Run as administrator (find it in the search, right-click → "Run as administrator"). Enter the command:

(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;PASSWORD=$pass}} | Format-Table -AutoSize

This command automatically:

1. Gets a list of all saved Wi-Fi networks.
2. Extracts passwords for each of them.
3. Outputs the result as a table with two columns: PROFILE (network name) and PASSWORD (password).

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:\ with all the data. Never share this file with third parties - it contains confidential information about all networks your computer has connected to.

4. macOS: How to find the Wi-Fi password on a MacBook or iMac

On computers Apple The process is a little different, but no less simple. The system macOS stores passwords in the keychain (Keychain Access), and only users with administrator rights have access to them.

Open the app Bunch of keys (find through Spotlight upon request Keychain Access). In the left column, select "System", and in the right part of the window find the name of your Wi-Fi network (in the column "Name"). Double-click on the entry to open its properties.

In the new window, check the box Show passwordThe system will ask for your account password. macOS - enter it. After that, the field Show password will display the network security key. If the checkbox is disabled or the password is not displayed, then:

• 🔄 The network uses WPA3-Enterprise or another authentication protocol without a static password.
• 🔐 The password was manually removed from the keychain.
• 🚫 Your account does not have administrator rights.

⚠️ Attention: In macOS Ventura and newer, Apple has tightened its security policy. If you connected to the network through iCloud Keychain (password synchronization between devices), the password may not be displayed locally. In this case, try searching for it on iPhone or iPad in the Wi-Fi settings.

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

If none of the above methods worked (for example, the password is not saved in the system or the network uses non-standard authentication), you can use specialized utilities. We will consider only legal instruments, which do not violate data protection laws.

WirelessKeyView (from NirSoft) is a free portable utility that scans system files. Windows and extracts all saved Wi-Fi passwords. The program does not require installation and works on all OS versions, starting from Windows XPDownload it from official website (check the file hash for viruses!), unzip the archive and run WirelessKeyView.exe.

In the main window, you'll see a table with all the networks the computer has ever connected to. Columns:

• Network Name (SSID) — network name.
• Key (Ascii) — password in readable form.
• Key Type — encryption type (WPA2-PSK, WEP etc.).

To copy the password, right-click on the line with the desired network and select Copy KeyThe program also allows you to export all data to HTML/CSV for backup.

What are the dangers of using unofficial utilities?

Many "Wi-Fi hackers" from unverified sources contain malicious code that can:

- Steal your bank card details and account passwords.

- Install mining software or botnet clients.

- Block access to the system with a ransom demand (ransomware).

Always download programs only from the official websites of the developers and check the files through VirusTotal.

⚠️ Warning: Using programs like Aircrack-ng or Wifite to brute-force passwords of other people's networks punishable by law (Article 272 of the Russian Criminal Code, "Unauthorized access to computer information"). All methods described in this article only work with networks to which your computer has previously connected legally.

6. If all else fails: resetting the router and alternative methods

When all methods have been exhausted and the password is still unknown, there remains extreme measure — reset the router to factory settings. This will delete all user settings, including the Wi-Fi password, but will allow you to set up the network again. Please note: after the reset, you will have to reconfigure not only the wireless network but also PPPoE-connection (if used), port forwarding, guest networks and other parameters.

To reset your router:

1. Find the button on the back of the device Reset (usually recessed into the body).
2. Take a paper clip or a toothpick and press and hold the button 10-15 seconds (until the indicators flash).
3. Release the button and wait for the router to reboot (1–2 minutes).

After reset:

• 🔄 Connect to the router's network via cable or Wi-Fi with the factory name (indicated on the sticker).
• 🖥️ Open your browser and go to this address 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (see the exact address on the router sticker).
• 🔐 Enter your login/password to log in (usually admin/admin or admin/empty).
• ⚙️ Find the section Wireless or Wi-Fi and set a new password.

If there is a button on the router WPS, you can connect the device without entering a password:

1. Click the button WPS on the router (usually the indicator blinks).
2. On your computer, in the list of Wi-Fi networks, select the desired one and click Connect via WPS.
3. The connection will be established automatically (lasts 2–5 minutes after pressing the button).

⚠️ Attention: On some router models (for example, ASUS RT-AX88U or TP-Link Archer C5400) reset button Reset may return the firmware to the factory version, which will lead to the loss of additional functions (for example, AiMesh or HomeCare). Before resetting, check the documentation for your model.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Wi-Fi Passwords

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

No, all the described methods only work with networks whose details are stored in the system. If the computer has never connected to the target network, you will need to:

• Ask the network owner for the password.
• Connect via WPS (if the function is supported by the router).
• Reset your router (if you have physical access to it).

Any attempt to "hack" someone else's network is illegal and may result in criminal liability.

Why is there no Security tab in Network Properties?

This happens in three cases:

1. You are connected to the network via Ethernet (cable), not Wi-Fi.
2. The network uses open access without a password (for example, in a cafe or airport).
3. The network profile is damaged or deleted. Try connecting again.

How can you protect your Wi-Fi from such password leaks?

To minimize risks:

• 🔒 Use WPA3-PSK instead of the outdated one WPA2 or WEP.
• 🔄 Change your password regularly (every 3-6 months).
• 📵 Turn off WPS in the router settings - this function is vulnerable to brute-force attacks.
• 👥 Set up guest network for temporary devices (for example, for friends).
• 🛡️ Turn on MAC address filtering (although this is not a panacea).

It is also useful to disable saving passwords on public computers (in hotels, internet cafes, etc.).

Do these methods work on Linux?

On distributions Linux Wi-Fi passwords are stored in configuration files. To view them:

1. Open terminal and enter:

   sudo cat /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/NETWORKNAME.nmconnection | grep psk=

2. The password will be after psk= (maybe encrypted - use sudo grep psk= /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/* to view all networks).

For KDE Plasma you can use a graphical tool KWalletManager.

Is it possible to recover the password if the router is broken?

If your router won't turn on or has reset itself, but you have a backup copy of its settings (configuration file), you can extract the password from it. To do this:

1. Open the configuration file (usually with the extension .cfg or .bin) in a text editor.
2. Find the lines with WirelessKey, PreSharedKey or WPAPassphrase.
3. Copy the value after the sign =.

If there is no backup, it is impossible to recover the password; you will have to set up the router again.