How to find out the Wi-Fi password on a Windows 10 computer: all the methods

Forgot your home Wi-Fi password and the sticker on your router has worn off? Or do you need to connect a new device but haven't saved the password on your phone? On a computer with Windows 10 You can easily retrieve your saved network security key—even if you don't remember it. The system stores all connected networks in encrypted form, but provides legal tools for viewing.

In this article - 5 proven methodsHow to find out the Wi-Fi password on a PC without third-party programs: via the graphical interface, command line, PowerShell and even using a configuration file. We'll cover the nuances for different versions. Windows 10 (including 22H2), we'll explain why some methods may not work and provide security tips. If you're a network administrator or simply want to restore access, read on.

1. View your password through Windows Settings (the easiest way)

This is a basic method that works on all versions. Windows 10 and doesn't require administrator rights (if you're already connected to the network). Suitable for most users.

Instructions:

• 🖱️ Open the menu Start → select Parameters (gear icon) → go to the section Network and Internet.
• 📶 In the left menu, click Wi-Fi → in the right part of the window, click Managing known networks.
• 🔍 Find the desired network in the list and click on it → select Properties.
• 🔑 Scroll down to the field Network security key → check the box Show entered characters.

If the button Properties is inactive or the password field is empty, then:

• ❌ You are not connected to this network currently (you need to connect again).
• ❌ Your account does not have administrator rights.
• ❌ The network is saved, but the password was not entered (for example, connecting via WPS).

⚠️ Note: This method reveals the password only for the current active networkIf you want to see the keys for all saved networks, use the methods below.

2. Using the command line (CMD) for all saved networks

Command line allows you to extract passwords all Wi-Fi networks, to which the computer has ever connected. This method requires administrator rights, but works even if the network is currently unavailable.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open Command line as administrator:
   • 🔍 Enter in search cmd → right-click on the result → Run as administrator.

netsh wlan show profiles

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

Example of command output:

Profile name: TP-Link_1234
...
Security parameters
Authentication type: WPA2-Personal
Encryption type: AES
Key contents: 12345678

Make sure you ran CMD as administrator|Make sure you entered the network name correctly|Try the alternative method with PowerShell (section 3)|If the network was connected via WPS, the password may not be on the system-->

⚠️ Attention: In some corporate networks (with authentication 802.1X) the password may not be displayed due to security policy. Also, this method does not work for networks connected via Windows Domain.

3. CMD Alternative: Extract Password via PowerShell

PowerShell — a more powerful tool than CMD, and also allows you to retrieve Wi-Fi passwords. This method is useful if the standard command line doesn't work.

Instructions:

1. Launch PowerShell as administrator:
   • 🔍 Enter in search PowerShell → right click → Run as administrator.

(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=$_.Matches.Groups[1].Value.Trim(); [PSCustomObject]@{PROFILE_NAME=$name;PASSWORD=$pass}} | Format-Table -AutoSize

This command will automatically extract names of all networks and their passwords in table form:

If in the column PASSWORD empty, then:

• 🔄 The network was connected without a password (for example, through WPS or open access point).
• 🔒 The password was changed on the router after connecting.
• 🛡️ The network profile is damaged (try deleting it and connecting again).

Via Windows Settings|Command Prompt (CMD)|PowerShell|Haven't tried it yet-->

4. Manually extracting the password from the Windows configuration file

All Wi-Fi passwords in Windows 10 are stored in encrypted form in system files. They can be extracted manually, but this will require registry editor or third-party utilities. We'll look at a safe method that doesn't modify system files.

Steps:

1. Open Conductor and enter in the address bar:

   C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Wlansvc\Profiles\Interfaces

   (if the folder is not visible, enable display of hidden files in View → Hidden Elements).

2. In the folder Interfaces Find files with the extension .xml (For example, {1234abcd-5678-efgh-90ij-klmnopqrstuv}.xml).
3. Open the file in Notepad and find the lines:

   <name>NETWORK_NAME</name>
   <keyMaterial>ENCRYPTED PASSWORD</keyMaterial>

4. Copy the value between the tags <keyMaterial> and decrypt it using PowerShell:

   [System.Text.Encoding]::UTF8.GetString((43, 228, 180, ... | %{[byte]$_}))

   (replace the numbers with those in your file).

⚠️ Warning: Editing files in ProgramData may disrupt network operation. Do not modify or delete files manually—only view them!

5. View the password through the Network and Sharing Center (for older versions)

IN Windows 10 versions 1803 and older (up to 20H2) There was an alternative method through the classic control panel. It still works, but may be missing in recent updates.

How to find:

• 🖱️ Right-click on the icon Wi-Fi in the tray (bottom right) → Open Network and Internet settings.
• 🔗 Scroll down and click Network and Sharing Center.
• 📡 Next to the name of the current network, click Wireless network (NETWORK_NAME).
• 🔐 In the window that opens, go to the tab Security → check the box Show entered characters.

If tabs Security no or the field is empty:

• ⚙️ Your version Windows 10 uses the new interface (see Section 1).
• 🔌 Network connected via Ethernet, not Wi-Fi.
• 🔒 You do not have administrator rights.

6. What to do if none of the methods work?

If you've tried all the methods but the password still isn't displayed, there may be a few reasons:

If nothing helps, there are radical measures left:

• 🔄 Reset your router to factory settings (button Reset on the back panel) - the password will return to the standard one (indicated on the sticker).
• 🔧 Connect to the router via cable (Ethernet) and go to the web interface (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
• 📱 View the password on another device (phone, tablet) if it is connected to this network.

⚠️ Warning: Resetting your router will delete all settings, including the network name, password, associated devices, and firewall rules. Use this method only as a last resort!

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Wi-Fi Passwords in Windows 10

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

netsh wlan add profile filename="C:\WiFi_Backup\FILE_NAME.xml"