How to view your Wi-Fi password on your computer: all the methods for Windows and macOS

If the point View network properties No, then it's your version. Windows uses a different path. Alternative option:

1. Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Click Managing known networks.
3. Select the desired network and click Properties.
4. Scroll to Security parameters - there will be a hidden password.

⚠️ Attention: In Windows 11 versions 22H2 and the new menu may look different. If you can't find the items you need, use command line method - it is universal.

2. How to find out your Wi-Fi password using the command line (CMD)

This method works even if the computer not connected to the network right now, but I connected to it before. We'll use the utility netsh, built into Windows.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open Command line as administrator:
   • 🔍 Click Win + S, enter cmd.
   • 🖱️ Right click on Command line and select Run as administrator.

netsh wlan show profiles

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

Example command output (password highlighted):

Profile name: MyWiFi_5G
...
Security parameters
Authentication type: WPA2-Personal
Encryption type: CCMP
    Key content      : 12345678AbC

⚠️ Note: If a blank line is displayed instead of a password, the network is using WPA3 or the password is not saved in the system (for example, when connecting via WPS).

Run CMD as administrator

Make sure the network name is entered correctly.

Check the case of the letters in the network name (MyWiFi ≠ mywifi)

Copy the password to a safe place-->

3. Export all Wi-Fi passwords to a file (for backup)

If you want to save all passwords From the networks you've ever connected to, you can export them to a text file. This is useful before reinstalling Windows or resetting the router.

Instructions:

1. Open Command prompt (administrator) as in the previous method.
2. Enter the command to export all profiles:

   netsh wlan export profile key=clear folder="C:\WiFi_Passwords\"

   This will create a folder WiFi_Passwords on disk C: with files .xml for each network.

3. Open any .xml-file in Notepad and find the line:

   <keyMaterial>your_password</keyMaterial>

Advantages of the method:

• 📁 Passwords are saved everyone networks, even those to which you haven’t connected for a long time.
• 🔄 Files can be transferred to another PC and imported back via netsh wlan add profile filename="path_to_file.xml".
• 🔒 Passwords are stored in clear text - delete the file after use, if there are other users on the PC.

4. How to find the Wi-Fi password on a Mac (macOS)

On computers Apple The process is a little different, but no less simple. macOS All saved passwords are stored in a bunch of keys (Keychain Access).

Instructions for macOS Ventura, Monterey And Big Sur:

1. Open Spotlight (Cmd + Space) and enter Bunch of keys (or Keychain Access (in the English version).
2. In the left menu, select System (or System).
3. In the search bar, enter the name of your Wi-Fi network.
4. Double-click on the found entry and check the box. Show password.
5. Enter your account password Mac (the one you use to log in).
6. Password from Wi-Fi will be displayed in the field Show password.

If the password is not displayed:

• 🔄 Make sure you are connected to the correct network (or have connected previously).
• 🔍 Check the filter in Keychain — must be selected All elements.
• 🛠️ If the entry is missing, the network could be connected via Guest access (password is not saved).

For macOS Catalina and older, the interface may differ slightly, but the logic is the same. If you use Touch ID, the system may request a fingerprint instead of a password.

5. Third-party programs for viewing Wi-Fi passwords

If standard methods do not work (for example, the network was connected via WPS or is used WPA3), you can use specialized utilities. They are convenient for viewing all saved passwords in a single window.

Top 3 proven programs:

How to use WirelessKeyView (for example Windows):

1. Download the program from the official website (check .zip- archive for viruses).
2. Unzip and run WirelessKeyView.exe (no administrator needed).
3. Find your network in the table - the password will be in the column Key (Ascii).
4. To copy all passwords, click File → Save All Items.

⚠️ Attention: Download programs only from official websitesMany "Wi-Fi hackers" on the internet contain viruses or spyware. WirelessKeyView from NirSoft — a proven tool, but some antiviruses may block it as "potentially dangerous" (false positive).

6. What should I do if my computer is not connected to the network?

If your PC never connected It's impossible to extract the password from the desired Wi-Fi network. In this case, there are alternative options:

• 📱 View on phone/tablet:
  • On Android: Settings → Wi-Fi → Network name → Share (lock screen PIN required).
  • On iPhone: Settings → Wi-Fi → (i) next to the network (the password will be hidden by asterisks, but it can be copied).
• 🖧 Check the router:
  • Turn the router over - the password may be on a sticker (refers to Wi-Fi Password, Key, PIN).
  • Go to the router's web interface (192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and look in the section Wireless → Security.
• 📞 Contact your provider:
  • If the router was issued by the provider (for example, Rostelecom, Beeline), the password can be standardized (for example, 12345678 or a combination of the contract number).

If nothing helps, there remains reset the router to factory settings (button Reset on the back panel). After this, the network will be named as on the sticker (for example, TP-Link_1234), and the password is standard (specified there). But all personal router settings (including port forwarding and parental controls) will be reset..

7. How to protect your Wi-Fi from password theft?

Now that you know how to easily extract a password from a computer, it's worth considering security. If other people (coworkers, guests, children) have access to your PC, they could use the same methods.

Methods of protection:

• 🔐 Use WPA3 instead of WPA2:
  • Go to your router settings and select WPA3-Personal (if supported). This protocol encrypts the password even in system logs.
• 🛡️ Set up a guest network:
  • Create a separate network for guests with limited access to local devices (optional) Guest Network in the router).
• 🔄 Change your password regularly:
  • Update your security key at least once every 3-6 months (especially if it is used by others).
• 👤 Restrict access to your PC:
  • Create a separate account with permissions Guest for temporary users.
  • Password login Windows/macOS and turn off auto-login.

Extra tip: If you often share Wi-Fi with friends, use QR code to connect. Many routers (for example, ASUS, Keenetic) generate it in the web interface. This way, guests don't need to know the password—they just scan the code with their phone's camera.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Wi-Fi Passwords

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