Ever been in that frustrating spot where you just need the WiFi password on your Windows 10 machine, but it’s not saved in plain sight anymore? Or maybe you connected ages ago and now can’t remember what you typed in? No judgment — we’ve all been there. Luckily, Windows keeps a record of all the networks you’ve connected to, and with a few commands or a quick tweak here and there, you can pull out that hidden password. Sure, it’s not super obvious or user-friendly at first glance, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty straightforward. Just a couple of steps, maybe a dash of patience, and you’ll have that WiFi key like a boss.
Finding Stored WiFi Passwords on Windows 10
Here’s the thing: Windows does a decent job keeping track of your connected networks. If you’ve connected before, chances are the password isn’t lost forever — it’s just buried. This can come in handy if someone’s asking for it, or you’re trying to reconnect a device without resetting everything. The trick is to use the Command Prompt or check out the wireless network settings. The steps can seem a little cryptic, especially if you’re not used to using terminal commands, but it works — and honestly, it’s faster than resetting your router or digging through old notes.
Open Command Prompt with Admin Rights
First, you want to launch Command Prompt, but make sure to run it as administrator. This isn’t always necessary, but some info needs elevated privileges. To do that, type “cmd” in the search bar, right-click on Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator. On some setups, this makes a difference and prevents access issues. On one machine it worked just fine without admin, on another, it didn’t—go figure. Once it’s open, you’re set to go.
List All WiFi Profiles
Type in netsh wlan show profiles and hit Enter. This command will spit out a list of all WiFi networks your PC remembers. Think of it as a little diary of all the networks you’ve connected to — some you might have forgotten about. If your network isn’t showing up, double-check you’ve actually connected to it in the past with that same device.
Pick Your Network and Reveal the Password
Find the exact name of your WiFi network in the list — it has to match exactly, including capitalization. Then, type in: netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear. Swap out “YourNetworkName” with the exact name from the previous output (enclose it in quotes if it has spaces).This command digs into that specific profile and reveals details, including the password if you know where to look.
Locate the Hidden Key Content
Scroll through the output until you find “Key Content” under the section labeled *Security settings*.That’s your WiFi password, plain as day — or at least plain enough once you find it. Sometimes it’s hidden at first glance, so just take your time. On some setups, this method might not show the password if Windows hasn’t stored it properly, but most times, it just works.
Close Everything Up
Once you have your password, just type exit and press Enter to close the Command Prompt. That’s it — easy enough, right? Of course, if you run into permissions issues, make sure Command Prompt was run as administrator. If not, some info might be locked down.
So, in a nutshell, this method helps when you connected before but can’t find the password now. It’s particularly useful if you want to share your WiFi without resetting or reconfiguring anything — or if your router’s admin page is a maze. Not sure why it works, but it does — probably because Windows keeps a record of networks you’ve connected to, just not in a very overt way.
Tips for Finding Stored WiFi Passwords on Windows 10
- Run Command Prompt as administrator — sometimes it’s the difference between success and “access denied”.
- Double-check your network name spelling — even a small typo can throw things off.
- This only works for networks you’ve connected to before, so if it’s a new one, this won’t help.
- Keep passwords secure — don’t leave them out in the open, and maybe use a password manager if you often forget.
- If this doesn’t work or the password isn’t showing, try heading over to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network and Sharing Center to see if your network info shows up there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find WiFi passwords without Command Prompt?
Sure, Windows has a graphical way to check stored networks — go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network and Sharing Center. From there, navigate into your network properties, and if saved, the password might be visible in the wireless security tab. But honestly, it’s usually more straightforward with the Command Prompt method.
What if my network name isn’t showing up?
If you don’t see your network in the list, it might mean you’ve never connected to it on that device, or it’s stored under a slightly different profile name. Make sure you’re connected to the network before trying to retrieve its password. Also, check if you’re logged into the right account, especially on corporate or work setups.
Is it safe to use Command Prompt this way?
Yep, if you follow these steps as described. No weird risks — it’s just Windows managing your profiles. That said, keep this info private, especially if someone else has access to your PC. And don’t go running commands on someone else’s machine without permission!
Can I get passwords for networks I’ve never connected to on this device?
No, Windows only stores passwords for networks you’ve connected to before. If it’s a new network, you’ll need access to the router or ask the network admin.
What if my security settings aren’t showing the password?
This might happen if you don’t have admin rights or the network profile isn’t stored properly. Make sure you’re an administrator, or try connecting with a different account that has higher privileges.
Summary
- Open Command Prompt as admin.
- Run
netsh wlan show profilesto list networks. - Choose your network and run
netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetworkName" key=clear. - Find the “Key Content” line — that’s the WiFi password.
- Close the Command Prompt when finished.
Wrap-up
Getting that WiFi password out of Windows doesn’t have to be a headache. The commands are pretty reliable, and it beats resetting your router or digging through old notes. Once you get used to it, retrieving stored passwords becomes kinda second nature — maybe even a little empowering. Just remember, if things aren’t working right away, permissions or network settings might be getting in the way. But overall, this trick comes through most of the time.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Having the password handy always feels like a small victory — and it’s nice to know you’ve got the tools to find it when needed.