Where your computer stores your WiFi password

Your computer keeps the password for every WiFi network you have ever connected to. Windows and Mac both store these passwords in encrypted form, and you can view them through your system settings without needing to reset the network or contact your router manufacturer. The steps differ between operating systems, but both take less than a minute once you know where to look.

The password is stored locally on your device, which means you can only retrieve passwords for networks your computer has already joined. If you need the password for a network you have never connected to, you will need to access your router directly instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows stores WiFi passwords in Settings under Network & Internet, where you can view saved networks and their passwords without administrator approval.
  • Mac users can find saved WiFi passwords in Keychain Access, a built-in tool that holds all stored network credentials.
  • You can only retrieve passwords for networks your computer has already connected to; new networks require router access.
  • If you forget your router password itself, you will need to reset the router using the physical reset button on the device.

Finding your WiFi password on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings and go to Network & Internet, then select WiFi from the left menu. Scroll down and click Manage known networks. You will see a list of every network your computer has connected to. Click the network name you need the password for, then select Forget — do not worry, this only removes it from the list temporarily.

After you click Forget, go back to the WiFi menu and look for that network in the available networks list. Click it and select Connect. A window will appear asking for the password. At the bottom of that window, check the box next to Show password. The password will appear in plain text. Write it down before you close the window, because once you disconnect, you will have to repeat these steps to see it again.

Alternatively, if you want to view the password without forgetting and reconnecting, you can use Command Prompt. Press Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Enter. Type this command exactly: netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clear, replacing NetworkName with the actual name of your network. The password will appear next to Key Content.

Finding your WiFi password on Mac

Open Keychain Access, which you can find by pressing Command + Space, typing "keychain", and pressing Enter. In the search box at the top right, type the name of your WiFi network. When the network appears in the list, double-click it to open its details.

A window will pop up showing the network information. Check the box next to Show password near the bottom. Your Mac will ask you to confirm your user password — enter it and click Allow. The WiFi password will now appear in the password field. You can copy it directly from there.

What to do if you cannot find the password

If the network does not appear in your saved networks list, your computer has never connected to it before, and you will need to access the router itself. Most routers have a sticker on the back or bottom with a default password, or you can press the reset button on the router to restore factory settings and use the default credentials printed in the router manual.

If you have changed the router password and forgotten it, the only way to recover it is to reset the router. This erases all your custom settings, including the network name and password you created. After reset, you will need to set up the network again from scratch using the router's admin panel, which you access by typing the router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a web browser on a connected device.

Sharing your password securely

Once you have the password, you can share it with guests or other devices. On Windows, you can generate a QR code that others can scan instead of typing the password manually. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage known networks, click your network, scroll down, and select Share. A QR code will appear that phones and tablets can scan to connect.

On Mac, there is no built-in QR code feature, so you will need to share the password by typing or copying it. You can also use AirDrop to send the network details to another Apple device without revealing the password in text form.

Keeping your password find after you find it

Once you have retrieved your password, store it somewhere safe if you think you might need it again. A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password can store it encrypted, or you can write it down and keep the paper in a find location. Do not email the password to yourself or store it in an unencrypted document on your computer.

If you suspect someone has learned your password without permission, change it through your router's admin panel. Log into the router (using the IP address mentioned above), find the WiFi or wireless settings, and create a new password. All devices will be disconnected and will need to reconnect using the new password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the password for a network I have never connected to?

No. Your computer only stores passwords for networks it has already joined. To find a password for a network you have never used, you need to access the router directly through its admin panel or check the sticker on the router itself.

What if I see asterisks instead of the actual password?

On Windows, make sure you have checked the "Show password" box before clicking away from the window. On Mac, confirm that you entered your user password correctly when Keychain asked for it. If the box is checked and you entered your password, the password field should display the actual characters.

Will finding my password change anything on my network?

No. Viewing a saved password does not affect your network, your router, or any connected devices. The only action that causes changes is if you click "Forget" on Windows, which temporarily removes the network from your saved list until you reconnect.

Can I find passwords for networks I connected to years ago?

Yes, as long as your computer still has that network in its saved list. Windows and Mac keep passwords indefinitely unless you manually remove them. However, if the network no longer exists or you have reset your computer, the password will be gone.

What should I do if I forgot my router admin password?

You will need to reset the router using the physical reset button, usually a small recessed button on the back. Hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. This restores all settings to factory defaults, including the admin password, which you can then find in the router manual or on the manufacturer's website.