Forum Discussion

Tycho's avatar
Tycho
Iron Contributor
Jun 03, 2025

How to view or find wifi password on Windows 10 or Windows 11?

I can't remember the wifi password at home. I need help retrieving my WiFi password on my Windows 10 and Windows 11 computer. I've connected to this network before, but I forgot the Wifi password, and now I need to share it with a family member. I heard it's possible to view saved WiFi passwords on Windows, but I'm not sure how to do it safely.

Could someone guide me step-by-step on how to find wifi password on Windows 10? Simple instructions would be greatly appreciated since I’m not familiar with advanced settings.

8 Replies

  • Thelonius's avatar
    Thelonius
    Iron Contributor

    Credential Manager​​ is a built-in Windows tool that securely stores login information, including usernames, passwords, and certificates, for websites, network connections, and other applications. It organizes credentials into two categories: ​​Web Credentials​​ (for browsers like Edge and Internet Explorer) and ​​Windows Credentials​​ (for local networks, shared folders, and VPNs).

    To find wifi password on windows 10:

    1. Press Win + R, type control and press Enter to open ​​Control Panel​​.

    2. Go to ​​User Accounts​​ → ​​Credential Manager​​.

    3. Click on ​​Windows Credentials​​ and look for your WiFi network under ​​Generic Credentials​​.

    4. If listed, click on it → ​​Show​​ (may require admin password). This will show wifi password and you can view wifi password on Windows 10.

    While it can sometimes store WiFi passwords (especially for enterprise networks), most standard WiFi passwords are saved in ​​Windows' Network settings​​ or retrieved via ​​Command Prompt (netsh wlan show profile)​​. You can access Credential Manager by searching for it in the Start menu or via ​​Control Panel > User Accounts > Credential Manager​​, where you can view, edit, or delete saved credentials—though WiFi passwords may not always appear here unless manually backed up. For home WiFi networks, the netsh command or Network settings are more reliable for password retrieval.

  • Treysil's avatar
    Treysil
    Iron Contributor

    While it’s a pretty cool trick to find WiFi password Windows 10, it’s definitely not something to casually do on every PC without thinking about privacy and ethics. And if you’re trying to find WiFi password Windows 10, it’s usually better to check your router settings or ask your network admin instead of hacking around.

    If you’re not careful, revealing saved WiFi passwords can be a privacy issue, especially on shared or public computers. Someone else might see your WiFi info if you’re not cautious. You need to run Command Prompt as Administrator. If you don’t have admin access (like on work or school computers), you’re out of luck. That’s a bummer if you’re just trying to troubleshoot or get your own password.

    Sometimes, the command might not show the password if the WiFi network was set to never save the password or if the info was deleted. Also, if the network uses complex security, the password might not be stored properly. You can only see passwords for networks your PC has connected to before. If you forgot a WiFi password for a network you haven’t connected to in a while, this method won’t help.

    If you’re on someone else’s device, using this method to find WiFi password Windows 10 without permission can be shady or even illegal. If you’re not familiar with command lines, it might be confusing or intimidating. Accidentally messing up commands could cause issues, though it’s not super likely with straightforward commands.

  • Dr.Key is a user-friendly Windows utility designed to help you recover lost or forgotten product keys for Windows OS, Microsoft Office, and Wi-Fi passwords stored on your computer. It's compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and XP.

    How to Find Wi-Fi Passwords on Windows 10

    Step 1: Visit the official Dr.KEY website and download the software.

    Step 2: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

    Step 3: Open the Dr.KEY application on your computer.

    Step 3: On the main interface, click on the option labeled 'WiFi Password'.

    Step 5: Click the 'Scan' button to begin retrieving all the Wi-Fi passwords saved on your computer.

    Step 6: After the scan completes, the results will display with passwords masked by default.

    Step 7: Click the eye icon next to a password field to reveal the full password.

    Step 8: Right-click on the password and select 'Copy' to save it for future use.

    By following these steps, you can easily view the saved Wi-Fi passwords on Windows 10 or Windows 11.

  • Treysil's avatar
    Treysil
    Iron Contributor

    From my own experience, here are some errors you definitely want to avoid when trying to find or view WiFi password on Windows 10:

    • Seriously, avoid any "WiFi password recovery" apps from untrusted sources. They can be malware magnets or illegal. Stick to built-in Windows tools or your router’s admin page.
    • Resetting your router or changing settings blindly can disconnect everyone and cause more headaches. Make sure you know what you're doing or follow legit guides.
    • Some commands or views need admin privileges. Running Command Prompt as Administrator is key. Otherwise, you'll get permission errors.
    • Sometimes people look for passwords in the wrong network profile or get confused with multiple profiles. Double-check the correct network.
    • When you viewing WiFi password on Windows 10. Don't try to bypass passwords on networks you don't own or have permission to access. That’s illegal and unethical.
    • Windows updates can change how some commands work, so make sure your methods are up to date.

     

    In a nutshell: Be legit, cautious, and patient. Use Windows' built-in tools like netsh or the network properties to find saved passwords safely. And if all else fails, talk to your network admin or reset the router.  

  • You can use the netsh command to find wifi password on windows 10 or windows 11. Here is how to use netsh command to find a wifi password on Windows 10 or Windows 11.​​

    Step 1: Open Command Prompt (Admin)​​

    Press ​​Win + R​​, type ​​cmd​​, then press ​​Ctrl + Shift + Enter​​ to run as Administrator.
    (If you don’t run as Admin, the password won’t be visible.)

    ​​Step 2: List All Saved WiFi Networks​​

    Type the following command and press ​​Enter​​:

    netsh wlan show profiles

    This will display a list of ​​all WiFi networks​​ your PC has connected to.

    ​​Step 3: Find the Password for a Specific Network​​

    Now, use this command (replace ​​WiFi-Name​​ with your network’s name):

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

    Step 4: Locate the WiFi Password​​

    In the output, look for:

    Key Content: YourPasswordHere

    This is the saved ​​WiFi password​​ on Windows 10/11.

  • If you've forgotten your WiFi password, here are some legitimate ways to find WiFi password on Windows 10 or reset it:

    1. Check Your Router: Many routers have the default WiFi password printed on a label.
    2. Find WiFi Passwords on Windows 10:

    • Open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
    • Click on your WiFi network, then select Wireless Properties.
    • Go to the Security tab and click Show Characters. Your saved password will be displayed.

     

    3. Reset Your Router: If all else fails, you can reset your router to factory settings (usually via a physical reset button), which will reset the WiFi password to default.

    If you're trying to connect to a network you don't own or don't have permission to access, please respect privacy and security policies. Before making changes, it’s good to backup your current network settings, just in case.

  • Certainly! You can find WiFi password Windows 10 or Windows 11 by using the built-in Command Prompt. Here's a simple, step-by-step guide:

    How to Find WiFi Password Windows 10?
    Step 1: Open Command Prompt
    -Press the Windows key on your keyboard or click the Start button.
    -Type "cmd" or "Command Prompt" in the search bar.
    -Right-click on Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator". (If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes.)

    Step 2: Find Your WiFi Network Profile Name
    -Type the following command and press Enter: netsh wlan show profiles
    -You'll see a list of all Wi-Fi profiles saved on your computer. Find the name of your WiFi network (SSID).

    Step 3: View the Password for Your WiFi Network
    -Type the following command, replacing "NetworkName" with your WiFi network's name exactly as it appears in the list: netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clear
    -Press Enter.
    -Scroll through the results until you find the section labeled "Security settings".
    -Look for "Key Content" — the value next to it is your WiFi password.

    Example:
    If your WiFi network is called HomeWiFi, the command will be: netsh wlan show profile name="HomeWiFi" key=clear . And you'll see the password listed under Key Content.

    Important Tips:

    • Make sure you run the Command Prompt as an administrator.
    • The password is visible only if Windows has saved it.
    • Do not share your password publicly or with unknown persons.

     

    If you prefer a graphical way, you can also view WiFi passwords via Network Settings, but the Command Prompt method is straightforward and doesn't require navigating through multiple menus.

Resources