It's quite common to need to connect a new device to a wireless network, but the password has long been forgotten and not written down anywhere. If your computer is running an operating system Windows 10 If your device is physically connected to the router via a LAN cable, the system already has all the necessary information for network authorization. You won't need to reset the router to factory settings or search for a piece of paper with the initial data if you've successfully connected to this Wi-Fi network from this PC at least once.
operating system Windows 10 By default, it saves the profiles of all networks you've ever connected to, including security keys. Even if you're currently surfing the internet via an Ethernet cable, the wireless network profile remains in your computer's memory. This allows you to retrieve the saved data as plain text, which can be entered into a guest's smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
In this article, we'll look at two main ways to obtain this information: through the system's graphical interface and using the command line. Both methods are safe, don't require installing third-party software, and take only a couple of minutes. It's important to have administrator rights on the computer, as viewing network keys requires elevated privileges.
Graphical method via Network and Sharing Center
The simplest and most intuitive method for most users is to use the standard Windows interface. This approach doesn't require memorizing complex commands and works through familiar settings windows. First, you need to open the network management menu. To do this, right-click the monitor or globe icon in the lower-right corner of the screen (in the system tray) and select Network and Internet settings.
In the window that opens, scroll down to the "Advanced network settings" section. There you should find a link Network and Sharing CenterAfter navigating to this section, you'll see an active connection labeled "Ethernet" or "Local Area Connection," and your wireless network will be listed as connected next to it (even if it's physically connected via cable, you're still logically on the same network as the router).
⚠️ Attention: If the window only shows an Ethernet connection without any mention of a Wi-Fi network, click the blue link for your connection name (e.g. "Ethernet"), then click the button
Wireless network propertiesIf there is no such button, proceed to the next paragraph.
In the wireless network properties window, go to the tab SecurityThis is where the encryption key is stored. You'll see the "Network Security Key" field, where the characters are hidden by asterisks. To see the password, check the box next to it. Show entered charactersThe system may ask you to confirm administrator rights—agree to this action.
- 🔍 Right-click on the network icon in the tray.
- 🔗 Go to "Network and Sharing Center".
- 📡 Click on the name of your Wi-Fi network (or Ethernet properties if Wi-Fi is not active).
- 🔑 "Security" tab -> check "Show entered characters".
After completing these steps, the hidden characters will turn into readable text. This is your password. You can copy it or rewrite it. This method is ideal for those who prefer visual controls and are wary of making syntax errors.
Using the command line to extract the key
For more experienced users or in cases where the graphical interface does not work correctly, there is a powerful tool - the command line CMDIt allows you to interact directly with the service. WLAN AutoConfig, which manages wireless connections. This method is often faster because it doesn't require navigating through multiple menus.
First, you need to launch the console with administrator rights. Click Win + X and select "Windows PowerShell (Administrator)" or "Command Prompt (Administrator)." You can also search for "cmd," right-click, and select "Run as administrator." Without these rights, the system will not reveal sensitive data.
The first step in the command line is to view a list of all saved profiles. Enter the command netsh wlan show profiles and press Enter. The system will display a list of all networks to which the computer has connected. Find your network name in the list (in the "User Profile Names" column).
netsh wlan show profile name="Your_Network_Name" key=clearReplace "Your_Network_Name" with the exact name of your Wi-Fi network that you found in the previous step. If the name contains spaces, be sure to enclose it in quotation marks. After entering the command, the system will display a detailed profile report. You're looking for the "Security Settings" section, and within it, the "Key Content" line. The value opposite is your password.
What to do if the command fails?
If the system says "WLAN AutoConfig Service is not running," you need to open services (Win+R -> services.msc), find "WLAN AutoConfig Service," double-click it and press "Start."
Analysis of profile security parameters
Once you've retrieved the data via the command line, you may notice a number of other technical parameters. Understanding their meaning will help you assess the security of your current configuration. The report displays the encryption type, authentication method, and security protocol version.
Pay attention to the parameter Encryption typeIn modern networks the standard is AESIf you see the value TKIP or WEPThis indicates that your network is using outdated and insecure protocols that are easily hacked. In this case, we recommend accessing your router settings and changing the encryption type to WPA2-Personal or WPA3.
| Parameter | Description | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Security type | Authentication protocol | WPA2-Personal / WPA3 |
| Encryption type | Data encoding algorithm | AES |
| Security key | Password for access | Complex, more than 12 characters |
| 802.1X | Corporate authentication | Disabled (for home) |
You can also see the number of characters in the key in the report, although the key itself is displayed in plain text. If you're using the command line, you can copy the entire report by right-clicking the text (in older console versions, you must first right-click -> "Select") and paste it into Notepad for easy reading.
Working with multiple Wi-Fi profiles
Computers often store connection histories to dozens of networks: home, office, cafe networks, and friends' networks. Team netsh wlan show profiles displays them all. To find out the password not for the current network, but for another, previously saved network, simply use its exact name in the command with the switch key=clear.
Sometimes you need to delete old or unnecessary profiles to reduce clutter and prevent them from automatically connecting in public places. This can be done using the same command line. Deleting a profile does not affect your current connection if it's established via Ethernet or another Wi-Fi connection.
netsh wlan delete profile name="Name_of_unneeded_network"This command will completely clear network data, including the password. If you accidentally delete a profile you need to retrieve the password for, it will be impossible to recover it using Windows tools—you'll need physical access to the router or a reset. Therefore, be careful when entering names.
- 🗑️ Delete only those profiles that you are confident in.
- 📝 Write down your passwords before deleting your profile.
- 🔄 To restore network settings, you will need to reset the router.
Resetting network settings via the command line
In some cases, the system may not display the password due to software errors or network driver conflicts. If standard methods don't work, you can try resetting Windows network settings. This will return all network components to their original state.
To perform a reset, open a command prompt as administrator and enter the command netsh winsock reset, and then netsh int ip resetAfter running these commands, you must restart your computer. This often resolves issues with displaying network properties.
⚠️ Attention: After resetting your network settings, you'll need to re-enter passwords for all Wi-Fi networks on this computer, as the profiles will be deleted or deactivated. Make sure you've saved the necessary keys before resetting.
An alternative reset method is available via the graphical interface: Parameters -> Network and Internet -> State -> Network resetThis is a safer option for inexperienced users, as the system will warn you of the consequences and reboot automatically.
Common mistakes and how to solve them
When trying to find a password, users often encounter the message "Request not supported" or "Access denied." This is most often due to a lack of administrator rights. Make sure you're running the console as an administrator, not in normal user mode.
Another common issue is an incorrect profile name. In Windows, names are case-sensitive and space-sensitive. If the network is called "Home Wi-Fi," the command name=HomeWi-Fi won't work. Use quotes for names with spaces: name="Home Wi-Fi"The exact name can always be copied from the list of profiles.
☑️ Check before entering a command
It's also worth considering that if the computer is connected to a corporate network using certificates or complex 802.1X authentication, a plaintext password may not exist in cleartext. In such cases, access is controlled by domain policies, and extracting the key using standard tools is impossible.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to find out a Wi-Fi password if the computer is not connected to it right now?
Yes, you can. If your computer has ever connected to this network and saved the profile, you can retrieve the password via the command line, even if you're currently connected via cable or the network is disconnected. The main thing is that the profile is saved in Windows memory.
What should I do if the "Security Key" field is grayed out and unavailable?
This means your account doesn't have administrator rights. You'll need to either log in as an administrator or ask the PC owner to enter a password to confirm the action when attempting to display the key.
Does this method work on Windows 7 or 8?
Yes, the principle of the commands netsh wlan The same for Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. The graphical interface may look slightly different, but the logic for accessing wireless network properties remains the same.
Is it safe to store passwords in Windows?
Windows encrypts stored passwords, and they are tied to the user account. However, if an attacker has physical access to your computer while it's running and has administrator privileges, they can extract these passwords. For maximum security, use complex passwords and don't allow unauthorized access to your PC.