How to find out the Wi-Fi password on a laptop if you're connected to it

Forgot your home or office Wi-Fi password, but your laptop is successfully connected to the network? This situation is familiar to many: your router was set up by a neighbor, ISP, or company IT specialist, but the access code has long since been lost. Fortunately, the operating system stores all passwords for networks you've ever connected to—and they can be retrieved without any special software.

In this article you will find 5 working methods For Windows 10/11 And macOS, including methods via the command line, the graphical interface, and third-party utilities. We'll also discuss why some networks may not display the password, how to bypass administrator restrictions, and what to do if the laptop is connected via WPS instead of the classic WPA2All instructions have been tested on current OS versions (compatibility information is in the table below).

⚠️ Important: Extracting the password is only possible from a device that already connected to the target network. If the laptop has never connected to this Wi-Fi network, you'll need access to the router or assistance from the network administrator.

1. Method for Windows: View the password through Network Settings

The easiest method is to use built-in tools WindowsIt works on all versions of the system, starting from Windows 7, and does not require administrator rights (if your account has access to network settings).

Instructions:

• 🖱️ Right-click on the icon Wi-Fi in the lower right corner of the taskbar (next to the clock). Select Open Network & Internet Settings.
• 📋 In the window that opens, go to the section Wi-Fi → Manage known networks.
• 🔍 Find the desired network in the list and click on it. Then click Properties.
• 🔑 Scroll down to the block Security parameters.Near the field Network security key There will be a hidden password - check the box Show entered characters.

If the button Show entered characters is inactive or the field is empty, this means that:

• 🔒 The network uses WPS pre-shared key (click the button WPS on the router to connect a new device).
• 🛡️ Your account Windows does not have rights to view passwords (administrator rights are required).
• 📡 The network is configured via access schedule (the password changes automatically, for example, in hotels).

2. Command Line: A Quick Way for Advanced Users

If the GUI does not show the password (for example, due to security policy restrictions), use command lineThis method is universal and works even on server editions. Windows.

Follow these steps:

1. Launch Command line as administrator (click Win + X → Terminal (Administrator)).
2. Enter the command to view all saved networks:

   netsh wlan show profiles

   Remember the exact name (SSID) the required network.

3. Display the password for a specific network:

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

   Replace NAZVANIE_SETI on real SSID (For example, netsh wlan show profile name="TP-Link_5G" key=clear).

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

⚠️ Attention: If after running the command you see a message Failed to execute command, check:

• 🔠 Correct spelling SSID (case important!).
• 🛡️ Administrator rights (run command prompt through Win + X).
• 📡 Connect to the network (the laptop must be online on this network right now).

3. Alternative Method for Windows: Network Configuration File

All passwords for Wi-Fi networks in Windows are stored in encrypted form in system files. They can be extracted manually, but this will require decryption using the utility WirelessKeyView (free, from the developer NirSoft).

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Download WirelessKeyView (portable version does not require installation).
2. Unzip the archive and run the file WirelessKeyView.exe.
3. In the table, find the required network by column Network Name (SSID).
4. The password will be displayed in the column Key (Ascii).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔓 Shows passwords all saved networks, even those that you haven’t connected to for a long time.
• 📤 Export to TXT/HTML for backup.
• 🛡️ Does not require administrator rights (if run as the current user).

What should I do if WirelessKeyView shows empty fields?

This means that the password is stored in the system in a non-standard format (for example, via Windows Credential Manager). Try an alternative utility. WifiPasswordRevealer or check your Group Policy settings (relevant for corporate PCs).

4. How to find out the password on macOS (MacBook)

On laptops Apple Wi-Fi passwords are stored in a bunch of keys (Keychain Access). To extract them, follow these steps:

Instructions for macOS Ventura/Monterey/Sonoma:

1. Open Spotlight (click Cmd + Space) and enter Bunch of keys. Launch the application.
2. In the left menu, select System → Passwords.
3. In the search bar, enter the network name (SSID).
4. Double-click on the found entry and check the box Show password.
5. Enter your account password Mac (required for confirmation).

⚠️ Attention: If you use MacBook At work, your keychain may be blocked by company policies. In this case:

• 🏢 Contact your IT department for a password.
• 🔄 Try connecting to the network via WPS (if the router supports it).
• 📡 Use guest access (if the network is configured with this option).

5. Universal method: Viewing through a router

If none of the above methods worked, there is one last option left - go to the router settingsThis is the only method guaranteed to display the current password, even if it was changed after connecting the laptop.

How to do it:

1. Find out Router IP address:
   • 🖥️ In Windows: open command prompt and type ipconfigFind the line Main gateway (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
   • 🍎 On Mac: System Preferences → Network → Advanced → TCP/IP. Search Router.

Open your browser and enter the IP address in the address bar. Click Enter.

Enter your login and password to log in (usually admin/admin or indicated on the router sticker).

Go to the section Wi-Fi (or Wireless network) → SecurityThe password will be in the field. Network key or PSK.

📌 Table of standard addresses and logins for popular routers:

⚠️ Attention: If you can't log into your router because someone changed the admin password, the only thing left to do is reset settings (button Reset on the back panel). This will erase all settings, including the Wi-Fi password, and reset the router to factory settings.

6. Common problems and solutions

Not all networks make password extraction easy. Here are some common challenges and how to bypass them:

Problem 1: The password field is empty or gray.

• 🔌 The network uses 802.1X (corporate authentication via login/password). The password is stored on the server, not on the device.
• 📡 The router is configured to guest access without a password (check if you are connected to a network with the suffix _Guest).

Problem 2: The command line gives an error Failed to execute command.

• 🛡️ Run it as administrator (right-click → Run as administrator).
• 🔄 Reconnect to the network (sometimes Windows does not save the password on first connection).

Problem 3: On Mac There is no entry for the network in the keychain.

• 🔄 Restart your laptop and reconnect to the network.
• 📋 Check if the network is hidden (enable hidden networks in Wi-Fi settings).

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password to which someone else's laptop is connected?

Technically yes, but you need it physical access access to the device and administrator rights. Without the owner's consent, such actions may violate the law (Article 272 of the Russian Criminal Code - unauthorized access to computer information).

If the laptop is company-owned, retrieving the password without permission from the IT department may be considered a violation of corporate security policy.

Why does the command prompt display a different password than the one I entered?

This happens if:

• The password has been changed after connecting a laptop (for example, via a router).
• The network uses WPS or dynamic keys (for example, in public places).
• The laptop is connected via signal repeater, which has its own password.

In such cases, the current password can only be found through the router settings.

How to save all Wi-Fi passwords for future use?

Create a backup:

• 🖥️ In Windows: export network list via WirelessKeyView (menu File → Save All Items).
• 🍎 On Mac: archive the keychain (File → Export Elements).
• 📄 Save the file in a secure location (for example, in an encrypted archive or password manager).

What to do if your router is blocked by your ISP?

Some providers (eg Rostelecom, Beeline) block access to router settings if it's rented. Solutions:

• 📞 Call your provider's support team and request a Wi-Fi password (you'll need to verify your identity).
• 🔄 Connect to your router via cable - sometimes this unlocks access to the web interface.
• 📄 Check your contract or router box—it may contain the default password.

Is it possible to find out the password from an Android/iPhone phone?

Yes, but the methods are different:

• 🤖 On Android (with root rights): use the application WiFi Password Viewer.
• 🍎 On iPhone: passwords are synchronized via iCloud KeychainYou can see them on Mac through A bunch of keys.
• 📱 Without root: Connect your phone to your laptop and use the methods to Windows/macOS, described above.