How to find the Wi-Fi password on a connected computer: all the methods

⚠️ Attention: If the button Show password If the page is inactive or missing, your account doesn't have permission to view it. Try the methods in the following sections or sign in as an administrator.

Check if you are connected to the correct Wi-Fi network

Update your network adapter drivers through Device Manager.

Restart your computer and try again.

Try alternative methods (see below)

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This method is the most visual, but it doesn't always work on work computers with domain policies. If you have Windows 7 or older version, use method via Control Panel.

2. How to find out the password through the Control Panel (for Windows 7/8/10)

Classic interface Control panels remains relevant even in Windows 11, and in older OS versions this is the only reliable method. Suitable for all types of networks, including hidden ones (SSID).

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open Control Panel (click Win + R, enter control and press Enter).
2. Go to the section Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center.
3. Select on the left Managing wireless networks (Windows 7/8) or Changing adapter settings (Windows 10/11).
4. Find your network in the list, right-click on it and select Properties.
5. In the window that opens, go to the tab Security.
6. Check the box Show entered characters — the password will appear in the field Network security key.

If the password field is empty or filled with asterisks that do not disappear when you click the check mark, this means that:

• 🔒 The network uses dynamic key (for example, in hotels or airports).
• 🛡️ Your account does not have administrator rights.
• 🔄 The password was changed on the router, but the computer has not yet connected to the network since then.

Windows 10

Windows 11

Windows 7/8

macOS

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3. How to extract a Wi-Fi password via the command line (CMD)

A method for advanced users or when the graphical interface is unavailable. Works on all versions. Windows and does not require administrator rights if you are already connected to the network.

Open Command line (Win + R → enter cmd → Enter) and perform in order:

netsh wlan show profiles

This command will list all saved networks. Find the name of your network (for example, my_wifi_5G).

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

Replace NETWORK_NAME to the real name (in quotation marks!). In the results, find the line Key content - this is the password.

If the command returns an error The operation failed., check:

• 📶 Is it written correctly? network name (case important!).
• 🔌 Are you connected to this network? Now (if not, use key=clear (for current connection only).
• 🛡️ Is the command prompt running as administrator (right-click → Run as administrator).

⚠️ Attention: In some corporate networks, the password may be stored in encrypted form and not displayed even after CMDIn this case, please contact your network administrator.

4. How to find a Wi-Fi password using PowerShell (an alternative to CMD)

PowerShell — a more powerful tool than CMD, and also allows you to extract the password. This method is useful if standard methods fail or you need to export data for multiple networks.

Launch PowerShell as administrator (Win + X → Windows PowerShell (Administrator)) and run:

(Get-NetAdapter -InterfaceDescription "Wireless*" | Get-NetConnectionProfile).Name

This command will display the name of the current Wi-Fi network. Copy it.

$profile = Get-NetConnectionProfile -Name "NETWORK_NAME"
$password = (Get-NetAdapter -InterfaceIndex $profile.InterfaceIndex | Get-NetAdapterAdvancedProperty -RegistryKeyword "PSKValue").RegistryValue
[System.Text.Encoding]::ASCII.GetString($password)

If PowerShell returns an error, try the alternative:

(netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK_NAME" key=clear) -match 'Key Contents'

This method is especially useful for automation (for example, if you need to save all Wi-Fi passwords to the file). To do this, run:

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

Passwords will be saved in the folder C:\WiFi_Passwords in the form .xml-files.

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

On computers Apple the process is even simpler than on WindowsAll saved passwords are stored in a bunch of keys (Keychain Access), and they can be viewed in a few clicks.

Instructions for macOS Ventura, Monterey and older versions:

1. 🔍 Open Spotlight (Cmd + Space) and enter Bunch of keys (Keychain Access).
2. 📂 In the left column, select System (or Local elements, if the password is saved in your personal link).
3. 🔎 Enter the name of your Wi-Fi network in the search bar.
4. 📋 Double-click on the found element (it will be like AirPort password).
5. 🔑 Check the box Show password and enter the password for your account Mac.

If the password is not displayed:

• 🔄 Make sure you are connected to this network Now.
• 🛡️ Check if your keychain is blocked (in settings) Keychain Access → Settings → Reset my keychain).
• 🔧 Update macOS to the latest version (older versions may have bugs with password display).

⚠️ Attention: On Mac with a chip Apple Silicon (M1/M2) Some corporate networks may use 802.1X-authentication, and the password in the keychain will be displayed as ——In this case, it can only be obtained from the network administrator.

6. What to do if the password is not displayed or hidden by asterisks

Sometimes, even after all these steps, the password remains hidden or the system returns an error. Let's look at some common problems and their solutions: