How to find out your Wi-Fi password on Windows 10: all the methods, from simple to complex

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and the sticker on your router has worn off? Or need to connect a new device, but the password isn't saved on your phone? Windows 10 There are several ways to extract a saved wireless network password—both through standard system tools and third-party utilities. The main requirement is that your computer must be already connected to this network (or was connected to it earlier).

In this article we will look at all the current methods - from viewing the password in Windows settings before use command line and specialized programs. We will also explain why some methods may not work (for example, if the network was configured via WPS or the password is encrypted according to the standard WPA3-EnterpriseFor your convenience, we've compiled a comparison table of methods by complexity and reliability—it will help you choose the best option.

⚠️ Important: Extracting passwords from other people's devices without the owner's consent is illegal (Article 272 of the Russian Criminal Code on unauthorized access to computer information). All instructions below are intended only to restore access to your network.

1. The easiest way: via Windows Settings

If your computer is connected to Wi-Fi right now, the fastest method is to use the graphical interface Windows 10This method does not require administrator rights and works even on accounts with limited rights.

Instructions:

• 🖱️ Open Start → Settings (gear icon) → Network and Internet.
• 📡 Go to the tab Wi-Fi and press Managing known networks.
• 🔍 Select the desired network from the list and click Properties.
• 🔑 Scroll down to the section Network password — there will be a hidden line. Click Show (you will be asked to enter your Windows account password).

⚠️ Attention: If the button Show is inactive, then your account does not have permission to view passwords. Try logging in as an administrator or use alternative methods.

2. Universal method: Command line (CMD)

The command line allows you to extract the password from any saved network, even if the computer is not currently connected to it. The method works on all versions Windows 10 (including 22H2) and does not require installation of additional software.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Launch Command line as administrator (click Win + X and select the appropriate item).
2. Enter the command to view all saved networks:

   netsh wlan show profiles

   In the list, find the name of the desired network (for example, TP-Link_1234).

3. Print the network data by replacing [NETWORK_NAME] to the real name:

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

4. Find the line in the results Key content - this is the password.

If the command results do not contain the line "Key Contents", then the password is not saved in the system (for example, the connection was via WPS or guest access).

3. CMD Alternative: PowerShell

PowerShell — a more powerful tool than the classic command line. It allows you to extract a password with a single command, without intermediate steps. This method is useful if you need to quickly copy a password to the clipboard.

Instructions:

• 🔧 Launch PowerShell as administrator (Win + X → Windows PowerShell (Administrator)).
• 📋 Insert the command (replace [NETWORK_NAME]):

  (netsh wlan show profile name="[NETWORK_NAME]" key=clear) | Select-String "Key Contents"

• 📝 The password will be displayed in the line Key Content.

💡 PowerShell Advantage: The command can be inserted into a script to automatically extract passwords from all networks. For example:

$profiles = netsh wlan show profiles | Select-String "All user profiles"
foreach ($profile in $profiles) {
$name = $profile -replace ":.*", "").Trim()
netsh wlan show profile name="$name" key=clear | Select-String "Key Contents"
}

4. View the password through the Network and Sharing Center (old method)

IN Windows 10 before version 1809 there was an alternative way through Control PanelIt still works, but requires more work. It's suitable if new methods are unavailable for some reason.

How to do it:

1. Open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click on the name of your network (next to Connections).
3. In the new window, click Wireless Network Properties → Security.
4. Check the box Show entered characters — the password will become visible.

⚠️ Attention: In the latest builds Windows 10 (starting from 20H2) this path may redirect to ParametersIf it doesn't work, use command line.

5. Third-party password extraction programs

If standard methods fail (for example, due to damaged system files), you can use specialized utilities. These are useful for saving passwords for all networks to a file or transferring them to another computer.

Top 3 proven programs:

🔐 Safety: Download programs only from official developer websites! Many "cracked" versions of utilities contain malicious code. After using them, we recommend scanning your system with an antivirus (e.g., Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool).

6. If nothing works: reset the router settings

In rare cases, the password may not be saved in the system (for example, if the connection was configured via WPS or the network uses 802.1X-authentication). Then the only solution is to reset the router to factory settings.

How to do it:

• 🔄 Find the button on your router Reset (usually recessed into the body).
• 📍 Hold it for 10-15 seconds (until the indicators blink).
• 🔑 After the reset, the network name and password will become default (indicated on the router sticker).

⚠️ Attention: Reset will delete all settings router, including:

• 🌐 Settings PPPoE (login/password from the provider)
• 📡 Customized guest networks And parental control
• 🔄 Rules port forwarding (for cameras, torrents, etc.)

Before reset Be sure to save the router configuration to a file (via the web interface, section System Tools → Backup & Restore).

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make it easier for you to navigate, we've compiled a table with the pros and cons of each method:

🔍 Recommendation: Start with the simplest method (Windows Settings). If it doesn't work, move on to command line or PowerShellUse third-party programs only as a last resort.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

$profiles = netsh wlan show profiles | Select-String "All user profiles"
$output = @()
foreach ($profile in $profiles) {
$name = ($profile -replace ":.*", "").Trim()
$password = (netsh wlan show profile name="$name" key=clear | Select-String "Key content").Line.Split(":")[1].Trim()
$output += "$name : $password"
}
$output | Out-File -FilePath "C:\WiFi_Passwords.txt" -Encoding UTF8