It's a common situation to need to connect a new device to a wireless network, but the password has long been forgotten and not written down. Fortunately, modern operating systems such as Windows And macOSBy default, they save security keys for all networks the computer has ever connected to. This makes it easy to retrieve the information you need without having to reset the router or find your ISP contract.
There are several proven methods for restoring access, ranging from using the system's graphical interface to entering special commands in the console. The choice of a specific method depends on your operating system version, the level of access you have to the device, and your personal computer management preferences. In this article, we'll cover each option in detail.
Before extracting data, ensure you have physical access to a computer that is already successfully connected to the target network or has previously connected to it. Without prior authorization on one of the devices, it's virtually impossible to obtain the encryption key remotely for security reasons. Let's look at how to proceed in different scenarios.
Viewing your password through Windows 10 and 11 settings
The easiest and most accessible way for most users is to use the standard graphical interface of the operating system. Windows 10 And Windows 11 This process looks slightly different visually, but the logic remains the same. You'll need to open the Network Control Panel, where your active connection settings are stored.
To begin, right-click on the network icon in the system tray (usually the "globe" or "fan" icon in the lower right corner) and select Network and Internet settingsIn the window that opens, find the section Network and Sharing Center Or simply click on the properties of the current connection. This displays your network name and connection status.
Next, in the wireless network status window, click the button Wireless network propertiesA new dialog box with several tabs will open. Click the tab SecurityThis is where the key encryption parameters are located. You'll see the "Network Security Key" field, but the characters in it will be hidden by asterisks.
⚠️ Note: Your account must have administrator rights to display your password in this window. If the system asks for confirmation (UAC), be sure to agree, otherwise the characters will remain hidden.
To see hidden text, check the box next to the item Show entered charactersImmediately after this, the asterisks will turn into readable text. This is your password. We recommend copying it or writing it down immediately to avoid repeating the process again.
Using the Windows Command Prompt (CMD)
For more advanced users or in cases where the graphical interface isn't working correctly, using the command line is ideal. This method not only allows you to view the password for the current network but also retrieve the keys for all previously saved profiles. This is especially useful if you want to find the password for a network your computer is currently connected to but can't connect due to an error.
Run the command prompt as administrator. To do this, click Win + R, enter cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + EnterIn the black window that opens, enter the command to view a list of all saved Wi-Fi profiles:
netsh wlan show profilesThe system will display a list of all networks ever detected by this computer. Find the desired name (SSID) in the list. To get detailed information about a specific profile, including the password, use the following command, replacing "Network_Name" with the actual name of your router:
netsh wlan show profile name="Network_Name" key=clearIn the command output, scroll down to the section Security parametersThere will be a line labeled "Key Contents," which will contain the password you're looking for in clear text. This method works reliably on all versions of Windows, starting with Windows 7.
☑️ Check before entering commands
Sometimes a network name may contain spaces or special characters. In this case, be sure to enclose the name in quotation marks, as shown in the example above. If you forget the quotation marks, the system will return a syntax error and the command will fail. It's also worth noting that this method won't work if the network profile was previously deleted from the system.
Gaining access via PowerShell
An alternative to the classic command line is a more powerful tool - PowerShellIt offers the same capabilities, but works with more modern network management modules. This method is often faster and produces a more structured data output, making it convenient for copying.
Open PowerShell as administrator (right-click the Start menu and select the appropriate option). Enter the following command to get the profile name:
(Get-NetConnectionProfile).NameThen, to display the password for a specific profile, use the command:
netsh wlan show profile name="Network_Name" key=clearWhile the command syntax within PowerShell remains the same as in CMD, the runtime environment itself can process queries faster. Furthermore, PowerShell allows you to create scripts to automatically save all passwords to a text file, which is convenient for system administrators managing multiple computers.
⚠️ Important: When working in PowerShell, be careful with the case of letters in commands. While many commands are case-insensitive, path and filename parameters may require strict case.
If you plan to use this feature frequently, you can create a simple .bat file or .ps1 script that will automatically display all saved passwords in one run. This will save time in the future if you need to set up a new device.
Password recovery on macOS
Computer users Apple They can also easily find saved passwords, but the storage mechanism is different from Windows. In macOS, this information is protected by the security system. Keychain Access (Keychain). Access to it is protected by the user account password.
Open the Keychain Access app. You can find it using Spotlight search (click Cmd + Space and enter "Keychain." In the left column, select the "System" or "Login" category, then find the "Passwords" tab. Find the name of your Wi-Fi network in the list.
Double-click the network name. In the properties window that opens, check the box. Show passwordThe system will ask you to enter your macOS account password (or use Touch ID/Face ID on newer models). Once confirmed, the password will appear in the text field.
What should I do if Keychain Access won't open?
If the system won't let you open Keychain Access, the keychain file permissions may be corrupted. Try restarting your computer or creating a new user to check.
On newer versions of macOS (Ventura, Sonoma, and later), the process has become even simpler. Passwords can be viewed directly in System settings. Go to the section Wi-Fi, find the desired network in the list of known networks and tap the "More" button or the information icon. You'll be able to copy the password or view it by logging in with Touch ID.
| operating system | Access method | Admin rights required | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 10/11 | Network parameters | Yes | Low |
| Windows (CMD) | Command line | Yes | Average |
| macOS (Old) | Bunch of keys | Yes (user password) | Low |
| macOS (New) | System Preferences | Yes (Touch ID) | Very low |
Finding the password in the router's web interface
If none of the computers remember the password (for example, after reinstalling the OS), the only reliable source of truth is the router itself. To do this, the computer must be connected to the router via cable (Ethernet) or Wi-Fi (if auto-connection is still enabled). You'll need a browser and the login address for the settings.
In the address bar of your browser, enter the router's IP address. Most often, this is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1The exact address, login, and default password are written on a sticker on the bottom of the device. If you've changed this information previously and forgot it, you'll need to reset the router to factory settings using the button. Reset.
After logging into the control panel, find the section related to wireless networking. It may be called Wireless, Wi-Fi, Wireless mode or WLAN. Inside this section, look for the "Security" or "Basic Settings" subsection. It's there in the field WPA Pre-Shared Key or "Password" displays the current access key.
⚠️ Note: Router interfaces vary significantly between manufacturers (Asus, TP-Link, D-Link, Keenetic). Look for sections labeled "Wireless Security" or "WLAN Settings." If you change the password in the interface, be sure to save the settings by clicking "Save" or "Apply."
This method is advantageous because it displays the current password currently set on the device, regardless of whether connected computers remember it. Furthermore, you can change the password to a more complex one if you suspect unauthorized access.
Third-party recovery programs
There are many specialized snails designed to display saved passwords. One of the most popular and time-tested is WirelessKeyView from NirSoft. It requires no installation, works immediately after launch, and displays all keys stored in the Windows system.
The program scans the registry and system files, displaying a list of all networks, their encryption type, and keys in HEX and ASCII format. This is convenient if standard Windows tools are not available. However, be extremely careful when downloading such utilities: antivirus programs often detect them as malicious. Hacking Tools, as they use methods similar to those of stealer viruses.
Using third-party software only makes sense if you're confident in the download source (the developer's official website) and understand the risks. For a one-time task, it's easier to use built-in OS tools, which are safer and don't require downloading executable files from the internet.
Security measures and network protection
Understanding how easy it is to find your saved password should remind you of the importance of security. If someone with administrator rights gains access to your computer, they can instantly find out your Wi-Fi password. Therefore, it's important to restrict physical access to your PC and use complex passwords for logins.
It's recommended to change your Wi-Fi password regularly, especially if you suspect it may have been compromised. It's also a good practice to create a guest network for visitors, isolated from your main home network containing personal data and smart devices.
Avoid using simple combinations like "12345678" or your date of birth. Modern technology allows you to guess such a key in seconds. Use combinations of mixed-case letters, numbers, and special characters at least 12 characters long.
Is it possible to find out the password if the computer is not connected to the network?
No, if the network profile has been deleted or the computer has never connected to this access point, it is impossible to recover the password locally without access to the router.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out the Wi-Fi password on a phone if it is saved?
Yes, this is possible on Android (versions 10 and up) and iOS (version 16 and up). On Android, go to Wi-Fi settings, tap the gear icon next to the network, and select "Share" or "QR code." The QR code is often labeled with a password, or it can be scanned. On iPhone, in the Wi-Fi section, tap the "i" icon next to the network and tap the hidden dots of the password, confirming the action with Face ID.
What should I do if I forgot my router password to access the settings?
If you haven't changed the factory password, it's located on a sticker on the bottom of the device. If you've changed it and forgotten it, a hard reset is the only solution. To do this, press the Reset button on the router with a thin object and hold it for 10-15 seconds until the lights flash. The router will return to factory settings, and the password will be the same as the one on the sticker, but you'll have to reconfigure your internet settings.
Is it safe to save a password in Windows?
Yes, it's safe as long as you have the password to log in to your Windows account. If an attacker gains access to your account (or you allow them to log in to your computer), they will be able to see your saved passwords. For maximum security, use a separate guest account for unauthorized users.
Why does the command line say "Access Denied"?
This means you launched Command Prompt (CMD) or PowerShell without administrator privileges. Be sure to right-click the program shortcut and select "Run as administrator." Without these privileges, the system prevents you from viewing security keys.