How to find your computer's Wi-Fi password: all methods for Windows 10 and 11

Have you connected to a Wi-Fi network on your computer but forgotten the password—and now you need to connect another device? Or has a neighbor asked you to remind them of the code for your home network, but you haven't entered it in a while? This situation is familiar to many. Luckily, Windows 10 and 11 There are several ways to view the saved password for the current or previously connected network. without using third-party programs.

In this article we will look at all the working methods - from simple viewing through Network parameters to advanced methods using command line And Windows registryYou'll learn what to do if you don't have administrator rights, how to export all saved passwords to a file, and what to do if the network isn't showing up in the connection list. You'll also learn why some methods may not work on corporate or public networks.

Important: all the methods described work. only for networks to which the computer has already connectedIf you've never entered a password on this PC, you'll have to ask the router owner for it or reset the router.

1. The easiest way: via Windows Network Settings

This method is suitable for Windows 10 and 11 and doesn't require any special knowledge. You'll need administrator rights—if you're the only user on the PC, you already have them.

Instructions:

• 🖱️ Open Start → Settings (or click Win + I).
• 📡 Go to the section Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
• 🔍 Scroll down and click Managing known networks.
• 📋 Select the desired network and click Properties.
• 🔑 In the field Network password press the button Show (You may be asked to enter an administrator password).

If the button Show is inactive or there are no networks in the list, proceed to the next method. Also, this method does not work for hidden networks (SSID) - they need to be searched for via the command line.

2. How to find out the password via the command line (CMD)

The method works for all versions of Windows, including Windows 7, and allows you to see the password even for hidden networks. You'll need administrator rights again.

Open Command line as administrator:

• 🔎 Enter in search cmd, then right click and select Run as administrator.
• 📝 Or click Win + X and select Terminal (Administrator).

Enter the command to view all saved networks:

netsh wlan show profiles

Then find out the password for the desired network (replace NAZVANIE_SETI in her name):

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

In the execution results, find the line Key content — this is the password. If asterisks or an empty field are displayed instead of a password, the network is using pre-shared key (PSK), and it cannot be read this way.

What to do if the command doesn't work?

If you see the error "Failed to execute command" after entering the command, check:

- Is the network name spelled correctly (case is important!).

- Do you have administrator rights?

- Is the service disabled in the system? Automatic WLAN configuration (check in services.msc).

3. Viewing the password through the Windows registry

This method is suitable for experienced users and allows Export all saved Wi-Fi passwords to a text fileCaution: Incorrect changes to the registry may damage your system.

Instructions:

• 🔧 Click Win + R, enter regedit and confirm the launch.
• 🗺️ Follow the path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Wlansvc\Interfaces\
• 🔍 In folders with long names (these are network adapter IDs), look for subfolders Profiles.
• 📄 Each folder will contain a file with the network name. Open it and find the parameter PSKValue - this is an encrypted password.

To decrypt the password, copy the value PSKValue and use an online decoder Base64 or special utilities like WirelessKeyViewHowever, in recent versions of Windows, passwords are stored in the registry in encrypted form, and decrypting them requires additional steps.

Create a system restore point|Close all programs|Do not change any other settings|Export the partition before editing-->

4. How to find out the password without administrator rights

If you don't have administrator rights, the standard methods won't work. However, there are workarounds:

1. Use LiveCD: Boot from a flash drive Linux (For example, Ubuntu) and view the Wi-Fi configuration files in the folder /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/.
2. Recover your password through your router: Connect to your router via cable and log into its web interface (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). The Wi-Fi password can be found in the section Wireless or Wi-Fi.
3. Ask the administratorIf the PC is corporate, please contact your IT department; attempting to do so independently may violate security policy.

⚠️ Attention: Attempts to bypass administrator restrictions on a work computer may be considered a violation of internal company policies. In some cases, this qualifies as unauthorized access to information.

5. Why the password may not be displayed

Sometimes, even after following all the instructions, the password remains hidden. Here are the main reasons:

If you are connected to public network (For example, in a cafe or hotel), the password is usually changed daily or given at reception. In such cases, it cannot be obtained from the computer—only from the provider.

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

If Windows' built-in tools don't help, you can use specialized utilities. They're convenient because they show all saved passwords at once, and not one by one.

Popular programs:

• 🔓 WirelessKeyView (from NirSoft) is a portable utility that doesn't require installation. It displays all SSIDs and passwords in a single window.
• 🛡️ WiFi Password Revealer - simple interface, export to .txt.
• 🔍 Magical Jelly Bean WiFi Password Revealer - supports Windows 11 and displays additional information about networks.

⚠️ Attention: Download programs only from the developers' official websites. Many "cracked" versions of password viewing utilities contain viruses or spyware.

Example of working with WirelessKeyView:

1. Download the archive with the program and unzip it.
2. Run the file WirelessKeyView.exe (administrator rights are not required).
3. In the program window, you will see a list of all networks and the corresponding passwords in the column Key (Ascii).
4. To save the data, click File → Save All Items.

7. How to protect your Wi-Fi from hacking

Now that you know how easy it is to find out a Wi-Fi password, it's time to think about your network security. Here are some basic steps:

• 🔒 Use WPA3 instead of the outdated one WPA2 (if the router supports it).
• 🔄 Change your password regularly (every 3-6 months).
• 🚫 Turn it off WPS - This protocol is vulnerable to brute force attacks.
• 📡 Hide SSID (network name), if it does not interfere with your devices.
• 🛡️ Set up guest network for friends - it does not provide access to local resources.
• 🔄 Update your router firmware (especially if you have models TP-Link, ASUS or D-Link).

If you suspect that someone else has connected to your network, check the list of devices in the router's web interface (section DHCP or Connected Devices). Strangers MAC addresses can be blocked.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi passwords on your computer

Is it possible to find out the password for the Wi-Fi network my computer connected to a year ago?

Yes, as long as the network profile hasn't been deleted. Windows stores information about all connected networks until you manually clear the list in Managing known networks Or reset your network settings. Check the list using the command netsh wlan show profiles.

Why are asterisks or a blank field displayed in the command line instead of a password?

This means that the network is using dynamic security key (for example, in corporate networks with 802.1X or Radius). This password cannot be read using standard tools—it is generated by the authentication server each time a connection is established. An empty field may also indicate a corrupted network profile.

How to find the Wi-Fi password on a MacBook?

On macOS open Programs → Utilities → KeychainEnter the network name in the search, double-click on it and check the box. Show passwordYou will be asked to enter your Mac account password.

Is it possible to find out my neighbor's Wi-Fi password if my computer hasn't connected to it?

No, if your PC has never connected to this network. All the described methods only work with saved profilesAttempts to guess someone else's network password are illegal and may be classified as a violation. Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (illegal access to computer information).

What should I do if I reset my router and forgot my password?

After resetting the router to factory settings (using the button Reset) the password is reset to the default one. It is usually indicated on a sticker on the bottom panel of the device (field Password or Key). If there is no sticker, try the standard combinations for your model (for example, admin/admin For TP-Link).