How to find the saved Wi-Fi password in Windows
Forgot your home Wi-Fi password, but your laptop still connects to the internet automatically? You’re not alone. Many users enter their Wi-Fi password once, and then months or years later, they can’t remember it when they need to connect a new phone, tablet, or other computer.
Fortunately, Windows 10 and Windows 11 allow you to view saved Wi-Fi passwords without the need for external programs. Additionally, recent versions of Windows 11 have simplified the process and allow you to view the password directly from the Settings app.
In this article you will find the official methods recommended by Microsoft, as well as some useful alternatives for advanced users.
How to find your Wi-Fi password if you’re using a recent version of Windows 11
- Open Settings .
- Go to Network & Internet .
- Select the active Wi-Fi connection.
- Next to Wi-Fi network password , tap Show .
Windows will display the saved network password and even a QR code that you can scan with your phone for quick connection.
Method 1: See the Wi-Fi password in Settings (Windows 11)
This is the official method recommended by Microsoft for modern versions of Windows 11.
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- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to Network & Internet .
- Select the active Wi-Fi connection.
- Access the network properties page.
- Next to the Wi-Fi network password field, tap Show .
The password will be displayed immediately. Microsoft confirms that this method works for both the current network and certain networks previously saved via the Manage Known Networks section.
Advantages
- Does not require Command Prompt.
- It does not require external applications.
- It is the simplest method for ordinary users.
Method 2: Use Control Panel (Windows 10 and Windows 11)
This is the classic method and still works on most systems.
Step 1
Open Control Panel and access:
Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center
Step 2
Next to the active connection, click on the name of the Wi-Fi network.
Step 3
Select:
Wireless Properties
Step 4
Open the tab:
Security
Step 5
Check:
Show characters
The password will be displayed in the Network security key field. This method is documented by Microsoft and is one of the most widely used ways to recover your Wi-Fi password.
Method 3: Find out Wi-Fi password using Command Prompt
For users who prefer Windows commands or want to see the passwords of multiple saved networks, the netsh tool is extremely useful.
Show all saved networks
Open Command Prompt and run:
netsh wlan show profiles
Windows will display all Wi-Fi profiles stored on the system.
Show a network’s password
Enter the command:
netsh wlan show profile name="NumeWiFi" key=clear
Example:
netsh wlan show profile name="Casa" key=clear
In the Security settings section, look for the field:
Key Content
The displayed value is the wireless network password.
How to see the Wi-Fi password for a previously saved network
Many users don’t know that Windows keeps profiles of networks they’ve connected to in the past.
If you were connected to:
- Home Wi-Fi
- Office Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi from a temporary location
You can check if the profile still exists using:
netsh wlan show profiles
As long as the profile is present, the password can be displayed with the command shown above.
What do you do if your Wi-Fi password is no longer saved?
If the Wi-Fi profile has been deleted or Windows has been reinstalled, the password can no longer be recovered from the system.
In this situation:
- check the router label;
- consult the internet provider’s documentation;
- access the router’s administration interface;
- contact the network administrator.
In many cases, the default password is printed on the bottom of the router.
Am I safe if I display my Wi-Fi password?
Yes. Viewing the password for a network you have access to is a legitimate feature included in Windows.
However, there are some security measures that must be followed:
- do not share your password with unknown people;
- uses WPA2 or WPA3 encryption;
- change your password if you suspect unauthorized access;
- use a long and difficult to guess password.
These measures help protect the network and connected devices.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see the password of a network I’m not connected to?
Yes, if the network profile is still saved in Windows. You can use the command:
netsh wlan show profile
and then display the password with key=clear .
Does it also work in Windows 10?
Yes. The Control Panel and Command Prompt method still works on Windows 10.
Can I see the Wi-Fi password directly from Settings?
Yes, in modern versions of Windows 11 Microsoft introduced the Show Wi-Fi password option directly in Settings.
You don’t need external programs
If you’ve forgotten your wireless network password, Windows offers several official methods for recovering it. For most users, the easiest solution is to view the password directly from Settings or the Network and Sharing Center . Advanced users can also use netsh commands to view passwords for previously saved networks.
Regardless of the method you choose, there’s no need to install external programs or pay for special apps. The built-in Windows features are enough to quickly find out the Wi-Fi password and connect other devices to the network.
Information source: support.microsoft.com
