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 don't have the password written down anywhere? On a computer with Windows 10 All saved networks store their data—including passwords—in system settings. These can be accessed in several ways, from standard tools to specialized utilities.
In this article we will analyze 5 working methodsHow to find out the Wi-Fi password on a PC Windows 10 — from simple viewing through “Options” to use command line and third-party software. Each method has been tested on the latest system builds (including 22H2) and doesn't require administrator rights if you're already connected to the network. But if you're looking for someone else's network password— This is impossible without hacking, which is against the law..
Important: All instructions apply only to the networks to which your computer is connected. I've already connected beforeIf the network isn't in the list of saved networks, you'll have to find its password on your router or from your ISP.
1. View your password through Windows Settings (the easiest way)
If you need to quickly find out the password for your current or previously connected network, the most reliable way is to look into the settings Windows 10This method does not require installing additional programs and works even on limited accounts (if you are already connected to the network).
Instructions:
- 🖱️ Open the menu
Startand selectParameters(gear icon) or clickWin + I. - 📶 Go to the section
Network and Internet → Wi-Fi. - 🔍 Scroll down and click
Managing known networks. - 📋 Select the desired network from the list and click
Properties. - 🔑 In the field
Network passwordclickShow(you will be asked to enter your account password Windows, if installed).
If the button Show is inactive, then your account doesn't have permission to view passwords. In this case, try the method with command line (section 3) or log in as administrator.
Make sure your computer is connected to the correct network|Check if you have administrator rights (if the "Show" button is grayed out)|Remember or write down the password after viewing|Disable guest mode on your router if the password is not displayed-->
⚠️ Attention: If you are using a corporate network (for example, in an office or university), the password may be stored in encrypted form or managed by an authentication server (RADIUS). In this case, standard methods Windows won't work.
2. View all saved Wi-Fi passwords using the Network and Sharing Center
An alternative method is to use the classic Control Panel. This method is convenient if you need to see passwords for all saved networks, not just the current one. The interface here is less modern, but the functionality is broader.
How to open:
- Click
Win + R, enterncpa.cpland pressEnter. - In the window that opens, find the icon
Wireless network(Wi-Fi), right click and selectState. - Click
Wireless network properties, then go to the tabSecurity. - Check the box
Show entered charactersto see the password.
If the window Properties If it doesn't open, it means the network is connected through WPS or another authentication protocol. In this case, the password may not be present in the settings. Windows.
| Method | Do you need administrator rights? | Shows passwords of all networks? | Does it work on Windows 10 Home? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Settings | No (if already connected) | Current network only | Yes |
| Network and Sharing Center | No (if already connected) | Only the selected network | Yes |
| Command line | Yes | All saved networks | Yes |
| Third-party utilities | Sometimes | All networks | Yes |
3. How to find out your Wi-Fi password using the command line (for advanced users)
If the graphical interface does not show the password (for example, due to security policy restrictions), the following will come to the rescue: command lineThis method is universal and works even in Windows 10 LTSC or server editions.
Instructions:
- Open
Command lineas administrator (Win + X → Command Prompt (Administrator)). - Enter the command to view all saved networks:
netsh wlan show profiles - Find the desired network in the list and copy its name (for example,
MyWiFi_5G). - Enter the command to display the password (replace
NETWORK_NAMEto real):netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK_NAME" key=clear - In the section
Security parametersfind the lineKey content- this is the password.
If asterisks are displayed instead of a password (), then the network uses Enterprise authentication (For example, WPA2-Enterprise), and the password is stored in encrypted form.
⚠️ Attention: Some antiviruses (for example, Kaspersky Internet Security) can block access to passwords through netshIn this case, temporarily disable protection or use third-party utilities (section 5).
4. Export all Wi-Fi passwords to a file (for backup)
If you need to save passwords for all networks (for example, before reinstalling Windows), they can be exported to a text file. This is convenient for backing up or transferring settings to another computer.
How to export:
- 📝 Open
Command lineon behalf of the administrator. - 📄 Enter the command:
for /f "skip=9 tokens=1,2 delims=:" %i in ('netsh wlan show profiles') do @echo %j | findstr -v -i "BSSID" | findstr -v -i "All" > wifi_passwords.txt & for /f "skip=4 tokens=2 delims=:" %k in ('netsh wlan show profile "%j" key^=clear ^| find "Key contents"') do echo %j: %k >> wifi_passwords.txt - 💾 File
wifi_passwords.txtwill appear in the folderC:\Windows\System32Move it to a safe place.
The file will list all networks and their passwords in the following format:
MyWiFi_2.4: 12345678
Office_Net: qwerty123
What to do if the file was not created?
If the file does not appear after running the command, check:
1. You have administrator rights.
2. Network names do not contain spaces or special characters (e.g. My Wi-Fi instead of MyWiFi).
3. The command prompt is run as administrator (check the window title).
5. Third-party programs for viewing Wi-Fi passwords
If standard methods don't work, specialized utilities can help. They not only reveal passwords, but also allow you to manage networks, test speeds, and even hack other people's access points (which illegally). We will only consider legal viewing tools. own networks.
Top 3 proven programs:
- 🔧 WirelessKeyView (from NirSoft) is a free utility that displays all saved Wi-Fi passwords. It doesn't require installation and runs without administrator rights (if you're already connected to the network). Download from the official website.
- 🛡️ WiFi Password Revealer — a simple program with a graphical interface. Supports password export to
CSVAndTXT. - 📊 Magical Jelly Bean WiFi Password Revealer - shows passwords and additional information about networks (security type, BSSID and others).
How to use WirelessKeyView:
- Download the archive with the program and unzip it.
- Run the file
WirelessKeyView.exe(administrator rights are not required). - Find the required network in the table - the password will be in the column
Key (Ascii). - Export data via if necessary
File → Save All Items.
⚠️ Attention: Some antiviruses (for example, Avast or Bitdefender) can block WirelessKeyView as "potentially unwanted software." This is a false positive—the utility doesn't contain any viruses, but it accesses system data. Add it to your antivirus exceptions.
6. What should I do if my password is not displayed in any way?
If none of the methods worked, the problem may be as follows:
- 🔒 The network uses WPA3-Enterprise or another corporate authentication protocol (the password is stored on the server, not on the device).
- 🛡️ Security policies are installed on the computer (for example, in a domain Active Directory), blocking access to passwords.
- 🖥️ The password was entered through WPS (button on the router) and is not saved in the system.
- 🔄 The network was connected via Windows To Go or a virtual machine, and its settings are not saved.
Solutions:
- 🔄 Reset the password on your router. To do this, click the button
Reseton the back of the router (hold for 10 seconds). After resetting, use the default password (indicated on the sticker). - 📞 Contact your provider. Many operators (eg Rostelecom or Beeline) can send the router password via SMS or personal account.
- 🔧 Check your router settings. Connect to it via cable, log in to the web interface (usually
192.168.0.1or192.168.1.1) and look at the password in the sectionWi-Fi → Security.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about viewing Wi-Fi passwords in Windows 10
Is it possible to find out the password for someone else's network that I'm not connected to?
No, this is not possible using legal means. All methods in this article only work for networks that your computer is connected to. I've already connected beforeAttempts to hack someone else's Wi-Fi violate Article 272 of the Russian Criminal Code ("Unauthorized access to computer information") and may result in criminal liability.
Why are there asterisks or empty space instead of a password in the command line?
This means that the network is using Enterprise authentication (For example, 802.1X), where the password is stored on the server, not on the device. Such networks are common in offices, universities, and hotels. The password can only be obtained from the network administrator.
How can I find out the password if my computer is connected via cable instead of Wi-Fi?
If you are connected to the router via Ethernet, but need information about Wi-Fi, try:
- Login to the router's web interface (usually
192.168.0.1or192.168.1.1). - Go to section
Wi-Fi → Security(or similar). - View the password in the field
Password/Key.
If you don’t know the login details, they are indicated on the router sticker (usually login admin, password admin or 1234).
Do these methods work on Windows 11?
Yes, all the methods described (except export via netsh in some assemblies) they also work in Windows 11The "Settings" interface has changed slightly, but the path remains the same: Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks.
Is it possible to recover the password if it was never entered (connected via WPS)?
No. If the connection was made through WPS (button on the router), the password is not saved in the system. In this case, the only option is to reset the router to factory settings or view the password in its web interface.