How to See Saved Wi-Fi Passwords on Windows 11 & 10

A visitor asks for your Wi-Fi password and you've completely forgotten it. Or you want to connect a new phone, but the password is only saved on your laptop. Good news: Windows remembers the password of every Wi-Fi network you've ever connected to, and you can see it in seconds.

This guide shows you how to see saved Wi-Fi passwords on Windows 11 and Windows 10 in 3 ways: a quick Settings method, the classic Control Panel method, and a hacker-style Command Prompt trick that shows the password for any network your PC has ever joined.

Method 1: Windows 11 Settings (Easiest)

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
3. Click Manage known networks.
4. Click the Wi-Fi network you want.
5. Next to View Wi-Fi security key, click View. The password appears.

This works for any saved network, not just the one you're connected to. If you don't see the option, your Windows 11 needs updating, so use Method 3.

Method 2: Control Panel (Current Network, Windows 10 and 11)

1. Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl and press Enter to open Network Connections.
2. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and choose Status.
3. Click Wireless Properties, then open the Security tab.
4. Tick Show characters. The password is shown in the Network security key box.

This only works for the network you're connected to right now.

Method 3: Command Prompt Trick (Any Network You've Ever Joined)

This is the one that looks like hacking. It works on Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt

Press Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.

Step 2: List every saved Wi-Fi network

netsh wlan show profiles

You'll see a list under User profiles, with every Wi-Fi name your PC remembers: home, office, church, hotel, your friend's hotspot...

Step 3: Reveal the password

Replace NetworkName with the exact Wi-Fi name from the list:

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

Scroll to Security settings. The password is next to Key Content.

Bonus: Export all Wi-Fi passwords at once

Want a backup of every saved network before you reset your PC? Create a folder called WiFi on your C: drive, then run:

netsh wlan export profile key=clear folder=C:\WiFi

Windows saves one file per network. Open any of them with Notepad and look for the line <keyMaterial>. That's the password. Keep this folder private, because anyone who sees it gets your passwords.

Share Wi-Fi Without Typing the Password

• Android phones: go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap your network and tap Share to show a QR code your visitor can scan.
• Windows 11: turn on Mobile hotspot (Settings > Network & internet) to share your PC's connection.

Troubleshooting

Keep Your Own Wi-Fi Safe

• Use WPA2 or WPA3 security in your router settings, never "Open" or WEP.
• Use a long password with letters, numbers and symbols.
• Change your router's admin password from the default.
• Check your router's connected devices list for strangers.

FAQs

Can I see a Wi-Fi password I never connected to?

No. Windows can only show passwords for networks your PC has already joined and saved.

Is this legal?

Yes, on your own PC and networks. Don't use it on someone else's computer without permission.

Does it work on Windows 10?

Yes. The Command Prompt and Control Panel methods work on Windows 10 and 11.

Do I need admin rights?

For the Command Prompt method, running as administrator makes sure the Key Content line shows.

More PC tricks: Windows God Mode + 15 hidden Windows 11 tricks · all PC tricks

Image credits (Wikimedia Commons): "ELECOM WRC-300FEBK WPS WiFi router" by Syced (CC0); "Close up of IBM Laptop Keyboard" by Bike756 (public domain). Windows is a trademark of Microsoft.