How to find out your Wi-Fi password using a computer connected to the router: all the methods

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, but your computer or laptop is already connected to the network? This situation is familiar to many: you set up your router a long time ago, wrote the password down on a piece of paper that's long since been lost, and now you need to connect a new device. Luckily, there are several legal solutions. Find out your saved Wi-Fi password directly from a device that is already authorized on the network.

In this article we will look at all available methods for operating systems Windows 10/11, macOS And Linux, including the command line, graphical interface, and third-party utilities. Important: This is exclusively about recovering your own password Attempting to hack someone else's network is illegal and may result in liability. If you're a renter or a guest, it's best to confirm the password with the router owner.

Before you begin, please check two things: firstly, the computer must be connected to the target network (Whether it's via Wi-Fi or cable, it doesn't matter). Secondly, you must have administrator rights on your device—without them, some methods won't work. Ready? Let's get started.

1. How to view your Wi-Fi password in Windows using Network Settings

The easiest way for users Windows 10 And Windows 11 — use the built-in system settings. This method requires no additional software and takes less than a minute.

Open the menu Start and go to Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi. In the block Related parameters select Additional network settings, then - Additional properties under the name of your network. Here you will see a line Network password, but by default it's hidden by dots. To see it, click Show symbols.

Open "Settings" (Win + I) | Go to "Network & Internet" → "Wi-Fi" | Click "Advanced network settings" | Select "Advanced properties" under the network name | Click "Show characters" next to the password -->

If the button Show symbols If the account is inactive, this means your account doesn't have administrator rights. If this is the case, try the other methods in this article or log in with an account that has the appropriate rights.

⚠️ Attention: On some corporate laptops, access to Wi-Fi passwords may be blocked by security policies. In this case, please contact your IT department.

2. Using Command Prompt (CMD) to extract the password

For those who prefer to work with the console, there is a quick way to get the password through Command lineThis method is universal and works on all versions. Windows, including Windows 7.

Open Command line as administrator (click Win + X and select the appropriate item). Enter the following command, replacing NETWORK_NAME to the name of your Wi-Fi:

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

In the execution results, find the block Security parameters - there will be a line Key content, where the password you're looking for is specified. If the network name contains spaces, enclose it in quotation marks.

User profiles

All user profiles: my_wifi, office_net

Security settings:
Authentication type: WPA2-Personal
Encryption type: AES
Key content: 12345678

If the command returns an error Failed to execute command, make sure that:

• 🔹 You launched CMD as administrator;
• 🔹 The network name is specified correctly (case sensitive);
• 🔹 Computer connected to this network (at least once).

Via the Windows GUI|Via the command line (CMD)|Using PowerShell|Using third-party programs-->

3. Alternative: PowerShell for Advanced Users

PowerShell — a more powerful tool than the standard command line. It can extract a Wi-Fi password in a single line, making it convenient for automation or scripting.

Open PowerShell as administrator and run the command:

(netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK_NAME" key=clear) | Select-String "Key Contents"

This command will filter the output and show only the line with the password. If you need to see all saved networks and their passwords, use:

netsh wlan show profiles | Select-String "Name of all user profiles" | %{$name=$_.ToString().Trim(); (netsh wlan show profile name=$name key=clear) | Select-String "Key content"}

The result will be a list of all networks and their passwords. Please note: this method only works if the computer has connected to these networks at least once.

4. How to find the Wi-Fi password on macOS (MacBook, iMac)

For users Mac There is also a simple way to view saved passwords. Unlike Windows, you don't need command prompt or administrator rights (if you're already logged in).

Open the app Keychain Access (can be found via Spotlightby clicking Cmd + Space). Enter the name of your Wi-Fi network in the search bar. Double-click the result and check the box in the window that opens. Show passwordThe system will ask for your account password. Enter it, and the required key will appear in the field.

If Keychain Access It doesn't show the password, perhaps the network was configured through configuration profile (for example, in corporate networks). In this case:

1. Open System Preferences → Profiles;
2. Find the profile with the network name;
3. Delete it (you will have to check the password with the administrator).

⚠️ Attention: On macOS Ventura and a newer interface Keychain Access It's changed a little, but the logic remains the same. If you don't find the option you need, update your system or check the section Passwords V System settings.

5. Methods for Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, etc.)

In distributions Linux Wi-Fi passwords are stored in configuration files NetworkManager or wpa_supplicant, depending on the network manager used. Let's consider both options.

If you use NetworkManager (standard for Ubuntu, Fedora), run in the terminal:

sudo grep psk= /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/*

The command will output a list of networks with passwords in the format psk=your_password. If used wpa_supplicant (more often in Debian or Arch Linux), open the configuration file:

sudo cat /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf

Look for blocks like:

network={
ssid="NETWORK_NAME"
psk="PASSWORD"
...
}

If the terminal returns Permission denied, make sure you use sudo and enter your account password. On some distributions (for example, Kali Linux) may require manual mounting of the file system with read permissions.

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

If standard methods don't work or you need to manage a large number of networks, you can use specialized utilities. They offer additional features, such as exporting passwords to a file or bulk deleting networks.

For Windows popular:

• 🔧 WirelessKeyView (from NirSoft) - shows all saved passwords in one window, supports export to .txt;
• 🔧 WiFi Password Revealer — simple interface with the ability to copy the password to the clipboard;
• 🔧 Magical Jelly Bean WiFi Password Revealer — portable version, does not require installation.

For macOS will do WiFi Password (available in App Store), and for Linux — WifiPassword (installed via snap or apt). Before using, download the software only from official websites developers to avoid viruses.

⚠️ Attention: Some antiviruses (for example, Kaspersky or ESET) can block utilities like WirelessKeyView, considering them potentially dangerous. This is a false positive—add the program to the exceptions list or temporarily disable protection.

7. What to do if none of the methods worked?

If you've tried all the methods and still can't find the password, there are two options left:

1. Reset the router settings. Click the button Reset on the back of the device (usually you need to hold it for 10-15 seconds). After the reset, the network name and password will return to the factory defaults (they are indicated on the router's sticker). All user settings (including guest network, port forwarding, and parental controls) will be lost.
2. Connect to the router via cable. If you have physical access to the device, log in to its web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and look at the password in the section Wi-Fi or Wireless network.

If the router is rented from a provider (for example, Rostelecom or Beeline), the factory settings can be changed. In this case:

• 📞 Call your provider's support team - they will tell you your current password;
• 🔄 Order a factory reset through your personal account;
• 🔧 Use the provider's mobile app (for example, My Beeline or Rostelecom Personal Account).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Wi-Fi Passwords