Where your computer stores your WiFi password
Your computer remembers every WiFi network you have ever connected to, including the password. Windows and Mac both store this information in encrypted form — you cannot see it in a folder like a regular file, but both operating systems have built-in tools to retrieve it. The steps differ between Windows and Mac, and the method you use depends on whether you are still connected to that network or trying to recover a password from a network you used in the past.
The password your computer has saved is the same one you entered when you first joined the network. If you have changed the password on your router since then, the saved password on your computer will be outdated and will not work until you update it.
Key Takeaways
- Windows stores WiFi passwords in Settings under Network and can display them in plain text through the WiFi properties menu.
- Mac users can retrieve WiFi passwords through Keychain Access, which requires your Mac login password to view the network password.
- Both methods work only for networks your computer has connected to before — you cannot see passwords for networks you have never joined.
- If your router password has changed since your computer last connected, you will need to reconnect and enter the new password before your computer can save it.
Finding your WiFi password on Windows 10 or 11
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then select the Settings app. Navigate to Network and Internet, then WiFi. Scroll down and select Manage Known Networks. Find the network name (SSID) you want the password for and click on it.
Click Security to expand that section. You will see a field labeled "Password" with dots or asterisks hiding the actual password. Check the box next to "Show" to display the password in plain text. Write it down or copy it before you close the window — Windows will hide it again the next time you open Settings.
If you do not see the network listed under Manage Known Networks, your computer has never connected to it. You will need to connect to the network first by selecting it from your available networks list and entering the password manually.
Finding your WiFi password on Mac
Open Keychain Access by pressing Command + Space, typing "Keychain Access", and pressing Enter. In the search box at the top right, type the name of your WiFi network (the SSID). The network should appear in the list below.
Double-click the network name to open its details window. Check the box labeled "Show password" at the bottom of the window. Your Mac will ask you to enter your Mac login password — this is a security measure to prevent other users on your computer from viewing saved passwords. Enter your password and click Allow. The WiFi password will now appear in plain text in the password field.
What to do if you cannot find the network
If the network does not appear in your saved networks list on either Windows or Mac, your computer has never connected to it before. You cannot retrieve a password for a network you have not joined — the password was never saved to your computer in the first place.
If you are trying to recover the password to your own router, you have other options. You can reset the router to factory settings (which will erase all your settings), look for a sticker on the router itself with the default password, or log into your router's admin panel if you remember that password. If you are trying to recover a password for someone else's network, you will need to ask the network owner directly.
Updating a password your computer has saved
If your router password has changed since your computer last connected, the old password stored on your computer will no longer work. Forget the network from your computer's memory, then reconnect and enter the new password.
On Windows, go back to Settings > Network and Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks, find the network, and click Forget. On Mac, open Keychain Access, find the network, right-click it, and select Delete. Then reconnect to the network from your available networks list and enter the new password when prompted. Your computer will save the new password automatically.
Why your computer needs to save passwords
When your computer saves a WiFi password, it means you will not have to type it in every time you want to connect — your computer will do it automatically when the network is in range. This is convenient for your home network or networks you use regularly, but it also means anyone with access to your computer can potentially retrieve those passwords using the methods described above.
If you are concerned about security, you can prevent your computer from saving passwords by unchecking the "Save this network" option when you first connect. You will then have to enter the password manually each time, but the password will not be stored on your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see the password for a network I am not currently connected to?
Yes. Both Windows and Mac store passwords for all networks you have ever connected to, not just the one you are using right now. You can retrieve any of them using the methods above, as long as your computer has connected to that network at least once in the past.
What if I see the password but it does not work?
The password your computer has saved is correct for the network at the time you connected. If the router owner has changed the password since then, the saved password will be outdated. You will need to reconnect to the network and enter the new password manually.
Do I need administrator rights to see my WiFi password?
On Windows, you need to be logged in as an administrator or have administrator credentials available. On Mac, you need to know your Mac login password. If you do not have either, you cannot retrieve the password through these methods.
Is it safe to write down my WiFi password?
Writing down your password and keeping it in a find place is safer than relying on your memory. Keep the written password somewhere physical that only you can access — not in a text file on your computer or a photo in your cloud storage.