Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, and the sticker on your router has worn off? Or need to connect a new device but can't be bothered to find the piece of paper with the code? Windows 10 stores all saved wireless network passwords. — all that remains is to extract them. In this article, we'll look at 5 working methodsHow to view your Wi-Fi password on a computer: from standard system tools to advanced utilities for administrators.
Some methods require administrator rights, others work even on a guest account. We'll also tell you what to do if your PC never connected to the required network, or if the password is hidden behind asterisks in the router settings. All instructions have been tested on the latest Windows 10 builds (22H2 and later), but some of the methods are also suitable for Windows 11.
⚠️ Important: Extracting passwords is only allowed for networks to which you have legal accessUsing these methods to hack other people's access points is punishable by law (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
1. How to find your Wi-Fi password using Windows Settings (the easiest way)
If your computer already connected If you've connected to the desired Wi-Fi network (or previously connected to it), you can view the password in just three clicks—no command line or third-party programs required. This method even works on accounts without administrator rights.
Open the menu Start → Settings (⚙) → Network & Internet → Status → Network and Sharing CenterIn the window that opens, find the section “Active Networks”** and click on the name of your Wi-Fi network (it will be marked as "Connected").
Next:
- 📌 In the new window, click the button "Wireless Network Properties"** (or Wireless Properties (in the English version).
- 🔒 Go to the tab "Safety"** (Security).
- 👁️ Check the box "Show entered characters"** - the password will be displayed in the field Network Security Key.
⚠️ Attention: If the button "Show input characters" If your account is inactive, it means your account doesn't have permission to view passwords. Try the methods in the following sections or log in as an administrator.
2. View the password via the command line (CMD)
Command Prompt is a versatile tool for extracting data, including saved Wi-Fi passwords. This method works only for networks to which the computer has connected previously, and requires administrator rights.
Follow the instructions:
- Open
Command lineas administrator:- 🔍 Click
Win + S, enter cmd. - 🖱️ Right click on "Command Prompt"** and select Run as administrator.
- 🔍 Click
netsh wlan show profilesRemember the exact name of the desired network (case sensitive!).
netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK_NAME" key=clearReplace NETWORK_NAME the name of your Wi-Fi hotspot (for example, TP-Link_1234).
In the command results, find the line "Key Contents"** (Key Content) — this is your password. If the password is blank, it means:
- 🔄 The network is saved, but the password was not entered (for example, connecting via WPS).
- 🛡️ You do not have administrative rights.
- 📡 The computer connected to the network, but the password was not saved (check mark "Connect automatically"** was removed).
What should I do if CMD returns an "Access Denied" error?
The error occurs due to insufficient rights. Solutions:
1. Run CMD as administrator (required!).
2. Check if the service is enabled "WLAN Auto Configuration"** (services.msc → WLAN AutoConfig).
3. If you use an antivirus (for example, Kaspersky), temporarily disable network protection.
3. Using PowerShell to extract passwords
PowerShell — a more powerful tool than CMD, and it also allows you to get Wi-Fi passwords. This method is useful if you need save all passwords to a file or automate the process.
Open PowerShell as administrator (similar to CMD) and run 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 -AutoSizeThe script will output a table with all saved networks and their passwords. To save the result to a file, 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:\. Open it with notepad - all networks and passwords will be there in a convenient format.
4. View passwords using Windows Credential Manager
Few people know, but Windows stores some Wi-Fi passwords in Credential Manager** — the same location where logins for websites and network resources are saved. This method will work if:
- 🖥️ You connected to the network via WPS or Enterprise authentication (for example, in offices).
- 🔑 The password was entered manually during the first connection.
Instructions:
- Open
Control Panel → User Accounts → Credential Manager. - Go to the tab "Windows Credentials"** (Windows Credentials).
- Find the entry in the list with the name of your Wi-Fi network (usually starts with
WiFi-NETWORK_NAME). - Click on the entry and press "Show"** next to the password field.
⚠️ Attention: Not all Wi-Fi passwords are displayed here, only those that have been saved through "Additional connection options"If the network is not listed, use other methods.
☑️ Check before password extraction
5. Third-party programs for viewing Wi-Fi passwords
If standard methods fail, specialized utilities can help. They are convenient because:
- 🔍 Showing all saved passwords in one window.
- 📤 Export data to
.txtor.csv. - 🛡️ Works even if Windows has blocked access to passwords.
Best free programs:
| Program | Peculiarities | Link (official) |
|---|---|---|
| WirelessKeyView (NirSoft) | Shows passwords for all networks, including hidden ones. Supports HTML export. | nirsoft.net |
| WiFi Password Revealer | Simple interface, one-click password copying. No installation required. | magicaljellybean.com |
| NetPass | Displays passwords all types of connections (Wi-Fi, PPPoE, VPN). | nirsoft.net |
⚠️ Warning: Download programs only from official websites! Many "Wi-Fi hackers" on third-party resources contain viruses or spyware. WirelessKeyView And NetPass from NirSoft time-tested and safe.
Important: Programs like Aircrack-ng or Wifite They are intended for security audits and require in-depth knowledge. Using them to hack into other people's networks is illegal!
6. What if the computer has not connected to the network before?
If your PC never connected It's impossible to extract the password to the desired Wi-Fi network through Windows. In this case:
- 📋 Check it out sticker on the router - the password is often indicated next to SSID (name of the network).
- 🔧 Go to router web interface:
- Open your browser and type
192.168.0.1or192.168.1.1(the address is indicated on the router sticker). - Enter login/password (usually
admin/adminoradmin/empty). - Go to the section Wi-Fi → Security (or Wireless Network → Security).
- Open your browser and type
Settings → Wi-Fi → Network name → Share password).🔹 If you not a router administrator (for example, in an office or hotel), contact the network owner. In this case, you can retrieve the password yourself. breaks the law.
7. How to protect your Wi-Fi from hacking?
Now that you know how to easily extract passwords, it's time to take care of security. his own networks. Here are the minimum measures:
- 🔐 Use WPA3 instead of the outdated one WPA2 (settings in the router's web interface).
- 🔄 Change your password once a 3–6 months (especially if guests use it).
- 🚫 Turn it off WPS - This protocol is vulnerable to brute force attacks.
- 📡 Hide SSID (network name) or use guest access with limited rights.
⚠️ Attention: Passwords like 12345678, qwerty or birth dates are hacked in seconds. Use complex combinations of 12+ characters with letters, numbers and special characters (for example, K9#pL2$vR7!q).
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to find out the password for a Wi-Fi network I haven't connected to?
No, if your computer has never connected to a network, Windows doesn't store the network password. In this case, try:
- Look at the password on the router sticker.
- Request it from your network administrator.
- Use legal recovery methods (for example, resetting the router to factory settings).
Why is there no "Show typed characters" button in Windows Settings?
This means that:
- Your account does not have administrator rights.
- The network is connected via WPS (password is not saved).
- Windows did not save the password when connecting (the checkbox was unchecked) "Connect automatically"**).
Solution: Try the methods with CMD or PowerShell (requires administrator rights).
Do these methods work on Windows 11?
Yes, all the methods described (via “Settings”, CMD, PowerShell) work in Windows 11The interface may be slightly different, but the essence remains the same. For example, the path to the password in "Settings" is now:
Start → Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks → [Choose a network] → View properties → Scroll to "Password".
Is it possible to find out the password from an Android phone?
Yes, on Android 10+ it's done like this:
- Open
Settings → Wi-Fi. - Tap on the name of your network.
- Select "Share"** (or Share).
- Confirm unlocking PIN code/fingerprint - the password will be displayed below QR code.
On iPhone (iOS) You can only view the password if the device unlocked (through Settings → Wi-Fi → [i] next to the network → Password).
Is it legal to use password viewers?
Yes, if:
- You are viewing passwords their own networks.
- You are a device administrator (or have owner permission).
- The program is used for restore access, not hacking.
No, if you are trying to access stranger networks without permission. This qualifies as unauthorized access (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and is punishable by a fine or imprisonment.