Trying to find stored Wi-Fi passwords on your Windows 10 machine using CMD? Yeah, it’s kind of weird, but it actually works—if you know the right commands and paths. Sometimes, you’ve connected to a network ages ago, then forget the password when trying to reconnect or share it. While Windows doesn’t make this super obvious, using Command Prompt is one of those shortcuts that can save you a lot of hassle. Just a heads-up: this only works for networks you’ve already connected to and saved on that device. If it’s not listed or the password wasn’t saved, no magic will reveal it from the command line.
It’s also worth noting some system quirks: on some setups, you might need to run CMD as admin (because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary).And the formatting of network names has to be precise—spaces, special characters, all that. The key content, of course, is where your Wi-Fi password will finally appear, so pay attention to that. Anyway, let’s break down how to do this without needing third-party apps or intense network fiddling. Just some basic commands, and you’re good to go.
Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Stored Passwords on Windows 10 CMD
In case you’re wondering, this method’s great when you’ve lost the Wi-Fi password that your Windows 10 PC stored after connecting. It’s handy, especially if you’re trying to reconnect a device or share with friends, but don’t want to reset your router or go digging through the router settings. The trick is to use some built-in commands—nothing sketchy—and find out what’s lurking in your PC’s memory. Just keep in mind, sometimes this process doesn’t work if your system isn’t properly logged or if permissions aren’t right, so double-check you’re running the right way.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator
- Right-click the Start menu or press Windows key + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin). Sometimes, the options vary depending on Windows updates, but the goal is to run with admin privileges.
- This is important because without elevated permissions, Windows may block access to the network profiles or hide the password info.
On some machines, just opening CMD normally won’t cut it. You need those admin rights to see the full details and keys. It usually pops up a UAC prompt—accept it, and you’re all set.
Type this to see all your saved Wi-Fi profiles
netsh wlan show profilesThis command lists all wireless networks your PC remembers. If you see the network you want, that’s a good start—that means Windows saved the data. If not, the network might not be saved or stored on this machine. The output looks like a bunch of profile names—just pick the one you’re after.
Select the specific network profile
- Once you spot the network name, you’ll run another command to see the details—and that’s where the password hides.
- Make sure to put the exact profile name inside quotes if it has spaces, like
"My Wi-Fi Network".
Retrieve the password using the exact command
netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK_NAME" key=clearReplace NETWORK_NAME with the exact network name you noted earlier. This command reveals detailed info about the profile, including the password if it was saved.
Look for the section called Key Content. That’s your Wi-Fi password, displayed in plain text. Yeah, kind of wild that Windows shows it this way, but that’s how it works.
Write down or copy the password
Once you see the Key Content, copy it or write it down somewhere safe. Now, you can reconnect other devices, or just keep it handy for future use. If the password isn’t showing, double-check you’re running CMD as admin and that you typed the profile name correctly. Sometimes, a reboot or re-logging into your Wi-Fi helps, but generally, this method’s reliable.
Tips for Finding Stored Passwords on Windows 10 CMD
- Always run CMD with administrator rights—otherwise, you might get incomplete info.
- Be super careful with network names and make sure they match exactly—spaces matter.
- Use
key=clear— that’s the trick to unmask the stored password. - Keep those passwords secure—someone technically savvy can sniff this info if you’re not careful.
- Once you get used to these commands, you can peek at other network profiles if needed, using Microsoft’s netsh documentation.
FAQs
Is it safe to run these commands on my own PC?
Yeah, it’s all local to your machine. No external shenanigans involved, so your network remains secure.
Can I find passwords for networks I never connected to?
Nope. Windows only stores credentials for networks you’ve actually connected to successfully in the past.
What if I don’t see “Key Content” after running the command?
Make sure you typed everything right, and you’re running CMD as admin. Sometimes, a network profile might be corrupted or not linked correctly.
Does this work on Windows 11 or older Windows versions?
Mostly, yes. The commands are quite similar, but the UI might differ slightly. Just look for admin permissions and netsh commands.
Only Wi-Fi, not Ethernet, right?
Correct. Ethernet passwords aren’t stored the same way, so this method won’t reveal those.
Summary
- Open CMD with admin rights, no shortcuts.
- Type
netsh wlan show profilesto list saved networks. - Pick your network name exactly as shown.
- Run
netsh wlan show profile name="YOUR_NETWORK" key=clear. - Find the “Key Content” field for your password.
Wrap-up
This little trick is one of those handy bits of knowledge that suddenly becomes crucial when you forget that Wi-Fi password. It’s not perfect—sometimes, permissions or profiles mess up—but in most cases, it works pretty reliably. Just be responsible with these passwords—don’t hand them out like candy, obviously. The whole reason Windows stores them is for convenience, so use this info wisely. Hopefully, this saves someone a bunch of time or frustration, especially when you’re all set for reconnecting or helping out a buddy.