See Wi-Fi Passwords in Windows 11

This guide shows you how to view saved Wi-Fi passwords on Windows 11, whether you need to reconnect a new device, share the network with a guest, or just recover a forgotten key. You’ll find methods for both the current network and any previously connected networks, using built-in tools only—no third-party software required. You’ll need to be signed in with an administrator account for some steps.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 11 PC that is currently connected to the Wi-Fi network (for the quick method).
• Administrator rights on the PC (to view passwords for all saved networks).
• The network must have been saved on this PC at some point—if it was never connected, the password isn’t stored locally.

Step-by-Step

Method 1: View the Password for the Network You’re Currently Connected To

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of the taskbar).
2. Click the right-arrow icon next to the Wi-Fi toggle to see available networks.
3. Click Properties (the “i” icon) next to the network you’re connected to (it will say “Connected” under it).
4. In the Settings window that opens, scroll down to the Wi-Fi password section.
5. Click the View button next to “View Wi-Fi security key.” The password will appear in the text box.

Method 2: View Passwords for Any Saved Network (Including Past Networks)

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type ncpa.cpl and press Enter. This opens the Network Connections window.
3. Right-click on your Wi-Fi adapter (usually labeled “Wi-Fi” or “Wireless Network Connection”) and select Status.
4. Click the Wireless Properties button.
5. Switch to the Security tab.
6. Check the box that says Show characters. The password will appear in the “Network security key” field.
7. This method only shows the password for the network you are currently connected to. To see passwords for all saved networks, use the Command Prompt method below.

Method 3: View All Saved Wi-Fi Passwords via Command Prompt

1. Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run Command Prompt as administrator. Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control.
2. Type the following command and press Enter to list all saved Wi-Fi profiles:

   netsh wlan show profiles

3. Find the network name (SSID) you want the password for. Note it exactly as shown (it’s case-sensitive).
4. Type the following command, replacing NETWORK_NAME with the actual SSID, and press Enter:

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

5. Look for the line that says Key Content under the “Security settings” section. That is the Wi-Fi password.

Common Mistakes

• Typing the profile name wrong: The SSID must match exactly, including spaces and capitalization. If you get an error saying “Profile is not found,” copy the name from the list output.
• Forgetting to run as administrator: The netsh wlan show profile command with key=clear requires admin rights. If you run it without admin, you’ll see “Key Content” as null.
• Looking at the wrong tab: In the Wireless Properties window, the password is on the Security tab, not the Connection tab.
• Using the “View” button on a network you’re not connected to: The Settings > Wi-Fi > Properties method only works for the current connection. For other networks, use Command Prompt.

Tips

• If you’re trying to share the password with someone, Windows 11 has a built-in QR code. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi, click on your connected network, and you’ll see a QR code that others can scan with their phone camera.
• You can also export all saved Wi-Fi profiles to an XML file using netsh wlan export profile. This is useful for backing up or transferring to another PC.
• If you have multiple saved networks, the Command Prompt method is the fastest way to get them all at once—just run the profile list and then the key command for each.

Troubleshooting

• “Key Content” shows as “null” or is missing: This usually means you didn’t run Command Prompt as administrator. Close and reopen it with admin rights, then try again.
• “Profile is not found” error: Double-check the exact spelling of the SSID. It’s case-sensitive. You can copy the name directly from the output of netsh wlan show profiles.
• The “Show characters” checkbox is grayed out: This happens if you don’t have administrator privileges. Log in as an administrator or ensure your account has admin rights.
• You can’t see the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray: It might be hidden. Click the up arrow (^) to show hidden icons, or go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and turn on the Wi-Fi toggle.
• You’re not connected to any network: The Settings method won’t work. Use the Command Prompt method, which works for any saved profile, even if you’re not currently connected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the password for a network I’m not currently connected to?

Yes, use the Command Prompt method (Method 3). It works for any network that has been saved on your PC, even if you’re not connected to it right now.

Do I need to be an administrator to view Wi-Fi passwords?

For the Command Prompt method, yes—you must run it as administrator. For the Settings method, you also need admin rights to click “View.” If your account is a standard user, you’ll need to enter an admin password.

Why does the password appear as dots or asterisks?

That’s the default hidden view. To reveal it, check the “Show characters” box in the Wireless Properties window, or click “View” in the Settings app.

Can I see the password for a mobile hotspot?

Yes, if you’ve connected to a mobile hotspot and saved the network, it will appear in the list of saved profiles, and you can view its password the same way.

What if I forgot the password and I’m not connected to the network?

If the network was saved on your PC before, you can still retrieve it using the Command Prompt method. If it was never saved, you’ll need to reset the router or ask the network owner.

Is there a way to see the password without using Command Prompt?

Yes, the Settings app method (Method 1) is the easiest for the current network. For other networks, the Control Panel method (Method 2) also works without Command Prompt, but it only shows the current network’s password.

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