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ThorneBeckett's avatar
ThorneBeckett
Copper Contributor
Nov 11, 2024

How can I find my saved WiFi password on Windows 10?

Hello , I would like to ask, how can I view the saved WiFi password on Windows 10? Sometimes I need to use WiFi when I change devices or when friends come to my house, but I don’t remember the password. Does anyone know how to find it? Thank you!

  • Mathew's avatar
    Mathew
    Brass Contributor

    I don't think using command prompt to Find saved WiFi Password on Windows 10 is a good idea. First off, you have to run Command Prompt as an administrator. If you're not logged in as an admin or if your account doesn't have the necessary permissions, you’ll run into a brick wall. I once tried this after switching accounts and was like, “Wait, why isn’t this working?” It can be a pain if you’re on a shared computer where you don’t have that access.

    This isn’t the most user-friendly process, especially if you’re not super tech-savvy. You need to remember the exact commands and replace the WiFi network name appropriately. If you misspell anything or get the command slightly off, it won’t work. I’ve done this before and ended up staring blankly at the screen, wondering what I did wrong.

    This method only reveals WiFi passwords for networks you've already connected to and saved. If you're trying to recover a password for a guest network or one you’ve never connected to, you’re out of luck. The other day, I needed a password for a friend's network, and I realized I didn’t have it saved. Total bummer!

  • Kamma905's avatar
    Kamma905
    Copper Contributor

    Here is a simple way to find saved WiFi password in Windows 10:

    1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
    2. Scroll down and click on Network and Sharing Center.
    3. Next to "Connections," click on your WiFi network name.
    4. In the WiFi Status window, select Wireless Properties.
    5. Go to the Security tab and check the Show characters box to reveal your WiFi password.
  • Barbarank's avatar
    Barbarank
    Brass Contributor

    In Windows 10, Wi-Fi passwords are stored in the system registry and can also be accessed using the Command Prompt. 

    Step 1: Press Win + X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)".

    Step 2: Type the following command and press Enter. This will display a list of all the Wi-Fi networks your computer has connected to.

    netsh wlan show profiles

    Step 3: To view the password for a specific Wi-Fi profile, type the following command (replace ProfileName with the actual name of the Wi-Fi profile):

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

    Look for the line that says Key Content under the Security settings section. This will  find saved wifi password in Windows 10 PC as prompted.

    • ThorneBeckett's avatar
      ThorneBeckett
      Copper Contributor

      This method seems a bit complicated. You have to enter a lot of commands to open the command prompt. Is there a simpler method? For example, you can directly view WiFi password without using the command line? I think this will be much more convenient for novice users. 

  • NikolinoDE's avatar
    NikolinoDE
    Gold Contributor
    1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
      • Press Windows + X and choose Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
    2. List All WiFi Profiles:
      • Run the command:

    netsh wlan show profiles

    1. View Saved Password for a Specific Profile:
      • Enter:

    netsh wlan show profile name="WiFi-Network-Name" key=clear

      • Replace WiFi-Network-Name with the actual name of the WiFi network.
      • Look under Security settings for Key Content, which displays the password.

    This approach shows the existing passwords in clear text for the saved WiFi networks. If you do not see the password or receive a blank section under Key Content, make sure you have the necessary administrative permissions to execute the command.

  • Bradley's avatar
    Bradley
    Copper Contributor

    If the command prompt trick does not work, then you can use a wifi password finder app. This is a tool or program designed to help users recover or display their stored Wi-Fi passwords. These tools can be useful for individuals who have forgotten their Wi-Fi credentials but have previously connected their devices to that network.

    They can retrieve the passwords of Wi-Fi networks that the user has previously connected to, based on stored credentials in the operating system. And Many Wi-Fi password finders provide a straightforward interface, making it easy for non-technical users to navigate and recover their passwords.

    In summary, a Wi-Fi password finder is a utility that helps users find wifi passwords saved on Windows 11/10/7, but it must be used responsibly and with caution.

     

  • BodhiAxel's avatar
    BodhiAxel
    Copper Contributor

    I have also encountered a situation where I needed to find my saved WiFi password before, and I used the method that comes with Windows 10. Here are the specific steps, I hope it can help you find "find my saved WiFi password on Windows 10":

    1. Open the Control Panel: First search for "Control Panel" in the Start menu, and then go to "Network and Internet".
    2. Go to the Network and Sharing Center: In "Network and Internet", click "Network and Sharing Center".
    3. Find the currently connected WiFi: In the Network and Sharing Center, you will see the name of the currently connected WiFi displayed under "Active Networks". Click this WiFi name.
    4. Wireless Properties: After the window pops up, click "Wireless Properties".
    5. View the password: Switch to the "Security" tab and check "Show Characters". The WiFi password will be displayed at this time.

    This method is simple and direct, without any command line or tools, especially for those who are not familiar with technology. This is how I retrieved my WiFi password before, and I can directly tell my password to my friends or enter it on a new device. I hope this method can help you too!

  • Takkin's avatar
    Takkin
    Copper Contributor

    Finding your saved WiFi password through the Command Prompt in Windows 10 is pretty straightforward and can be super handy. However, For those of us who aren’t super tech-savvy, Command Prompt can feel a bit intimidating. You have to remember the exact commands and spell everything right.

  • JaxonReef's avatar
    JaxonReef
    Copper Contributor

    If you're not being able to find saved WiFi password on Windows 11 or 10 PC, try this way:

    1. Find the router's IP address: Generally, you can find the default IP on the back of the router, or you can press Win + R on the computer, enter cmd to open the command prompt, enter ipconfig, and look at the IP of the "default gateway", such as 192.168.1.1.
    2. Log in to the router background: Enter the IP address you just found in the browser and enter the router login page. You need a username and password when logging in. Many times there is a default account password on the back of the router (if you have not changed it).
    3. Check WiFi settings: After successfully logging in, find the "Wireless Settings" or "WiFi Settings" option. Here, you can directly see the WiFi password, and some routers allow you to modify it directly.

    This method is very direct. If you have administrative privileges on the router, retrieving the WiFi password is easy. This is how I regained the WiFi password, and I hope it will be helpful to you too!

  • Yandoun's avatar
    Yandoun
    Copper Contributor

    When you find saved WiFi password on Windows 10, If you’re not super tech-savvy, playing around in the router settings can be risky. You could accidentally change something and disrupt the whole network. I’ve had a friend who went in to check his password and ended up messing with the security settings, and guess what? No one could get online for hours. 

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