Find Your Saved WiFi Password in Windows Settings

Windows stores the password for every WiFi network you've connected to before. You can retrieve it through Settings without needing to reset your router or contact your internet provider. The password appears in plain text once you open the right menu, so you'll see exactly what you typed when you first joined the network.

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then select the Settings app. Go to Network & Internet, then select WiFi from the left sidebar. Scroll down and click Manage Known Networks. Find the network name (SSID) you want the password for and click it. Select Forget, then go back and reconnect to that same network — Windows will ask you to enter the password again, and you'll see it as you type.

This method works if you remember the password but need to confirm it. If you've forgotten it entirely, use the Command Prompt method below instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Command Prompt can display any saved WiFi password in plain text without reconnecting to the network.
  • The command netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clear reveals the password under "Key Content" in the results.
  • You must run Command Prompt as administrator for the command to work.
  • If you cannot remember the network name, use netsh wlan show profile to list all networks your PC has ever connected to.
  • Resetting your router to factory settings will erase all saved passwords on your PC and require you to set up WiFi from scratch.

Use Command Prompt to View the Password Directly

The fastest way to find a saved WiFi password is through Command Prompt. This method shows the password without disconnecting or reconnecting to the network. Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin). If a security prompt appears, click Yes to allow the app to make changes.

Type the following command, replacing "NetworkName" with the exact name of your WiFi network:

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

Press Enter. Scroll through the results until you find the line labeled Key Content. The password appears directly after it. If you see "Key Content : " with nothing after it, the network does not have a password (open WiFi).

The network name must match exactly, including capital letters and spaces. If you are not sure of the exact name, type netsh wlan show profile alone and press Enter to see a list of all networks your PC has connected to before.

Find the Network Name If You Do Not Know It

If you know you are connected to a network but cannot remember its name, Windows shows it in the system tray. Look at the bottom right corner of your screen (the notification area). Click the WiFi icon — it shows the name of the network you are currently connected to at the top of the menu, marked with a checkmark.

You can also find it in Settings. Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, select WiFi, and click Manage Known Networks. Every network listed here is one your PC has connected to before. The network you are currently using will show a checkmark or "Connected" label.

Once you have the exact network name, use the Command Prompt method above to retrieve the password.

What to Do If Command Prompt Shows No Password

If the Command Prompt results show "Key Content : " with nothing after it, the network is an open WiFi network with no password. This is common in public places like coffee shops or libraries. You can connect to it without entering a password.

If you expected the network to have a password, the network owner may have changed the settings on the router. Contact the person who manages the network to ask if the password was removed or changed.

Reset Your Router If You Cannot Access Windows

If you cannot log into your Windows account or your PC will not start, you cannot use the methods above. In this case, you will need to reset your router to its factory settings. This erases all saved passwords and settings on the router itself, so you will need to set up your WiFi network again from scratch.

Locate the small reset button on the back or bottom of your router. Use a paperclip or pen to press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds while the router is powered on. The lights will flash and the router will restart. Once it boots up, the WiFi network name and password will be the defaults printed on a sticker on the router — usually something like "TP-Link-1234" and a long string of numbers.

After the router restarts, you can change the network name and password through the router's admin panel, which you access by opening a web browser and typing the router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Check the sticker on your router for the exact address.

Prevent Password Loss in the Future

Write down your WiFi password and store it somewhere safe — a notebook in a drawer, a password manager, or a note on your phone. This takes 30 seconds and saves you from needing to reset your router later.

If you use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane, you can store your WiFi password there along with other important information. These apps encrypt your passwords and sync them across your devices, so you can retrieve them from anywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will finding my password this way change anything on my PC or router?

No. Using Command Prompt to view your password only reads information that is already stored on your PC. It does not change any settings, disconnect you from the network, or affect your router in any way.

Can I see passwords for networks I am not currently connected to?

Yes. Windows stores the password for every network your PC has ever connected to, even if you have not used it in months or years. The Command Prompt method works for any network listed under "Manage Known Networks" in Settings.

What if the network name has special characters or spaces?

Include the exact name in quotation marks, including all spaces and special characters. For example: netsh wlan show profile name="Coffee Shop WiFi #2" key=clear. The quotation marks tell Command Prompt to treat the entire text as a single network name.

Do I need administrator rights to see my password?

Yes. You must run Command Prompt as administrator for the command to work. If you run it as a regular user, the command will fail or show no results. Right-click Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator" to open it with the correct permissions.

Can I see passwords for networks I have never connected to?

No. Windows only stores passwords for networks your PC has actually joined before. You cannot view the password for a neighbor's network or any network you have not personally connected to.