You want to connect a new device to the WiFi network, but you forgot the WiFi password. Fortunately, your Windows computer that is connected to this network has saved this password. In these ways, you can find your Wi-Fi password in both Windows 10 and 11.
Windows 10: Via Network and Sharing Center
We’ll start with Windows 10. Start with the first way, that’s the easiest. First open the Network and Internet Settings by clicking the Wi-Fi icon. From there you go to it Network Center. Here you will find the green icon with the name of your WiFi network.
Click on the name and the window will open Status of Wi-Fi. Click on the button here Wireless Network Features. In the next window there are two tabs: Connection and Security. Choose the latter. And there the password is still hidden by black dots. Tick the option Show characters and then you read the password.
Windows 10: Via Network Connections
If the previous steps did not work, you can also access the WiFi password via the control panel. Press Windows key+R and type ncpa.cpl and click OK. This will bring you to the window Network Connections. Select the WiFi network for which you are looking for the password, right click on it and choose the option Status. Then use the button as above Wireless Network Features and follow the same steps.
Windows 10: With PowerShell
If the previous two methods fail, use PowerShell. This one is on every Windows 10computer installed. It is very similar to the Command Prompt. To open PowerShell from the power user menu, press Windows+X and then you choose Windows PowerShell or Windows PowerShell (Admin). Continue with one of the two. First, type this command (followed by Enter, as with all commands):
netsh wlan show profiles
This allows you to see the names of the saved wifi networks below User Profiles. If you are sure of the network name, type the following:
netsh wlan show profile “name=xxx” key=clear
replace xxx by the name of the network. Then you get a lot of information about this network. In the section Security settings read you Key Content the required password.
If you already have Windows 11, menu elements will look slightly different. Also, some functions are in a different place than you may be used to. That is why we also explain how you can look up your WiFi password within this operating system when you need it.
Windows 11: Via the Control Panel
You can easily find the password for your WiFi network in the Control Panel of Windows 11. Your current laptop or desktop must of course already be connected to the WiFi network to which you want to connect another device; chances are this is the case. open it Control Panel and go to the option Network and Internet.
Then click on the first heading, called Network Center. Here you will find all the information related to the network your computer connects to.
On the right you see Connections followed by your WiFi network. Click on the name to get the Status of Wi-Fi to see. Click the button now Properties of wireless network.
A new window will now appear, where you can click on the Security must click. Now put a check in the box Show characters. Now the password appears on the screen.
Windows 11: Via Windows Terminal
If you are currently not connecting to a Wi-Fi network that you were previously connected to, it is possible that the wifi password searchable through the Windows Terminal. This is ideal for anyone who doesn’t store passwords on their computer, but who can’t remember passwords either.
Open the Windows Terminal (administrator) by right-clicking on the Start menu logo. This opens the menu for power users.
The option you’re looking for is roughly in the middle. After opening the program, enter the following line of text:
netsh wlan show profile “(wifi network name)” key=clear
Fill in the spot (name wifi network) enter your own network name. Now press Enter. A lot of information appears on the screen about the networks you once connected to. At some point you will also see the password of the network you want to connect to. You will find the information under the heading Security settings, next to the text Key Content.
The way in which you find out a WiFi password is not very different. Yet it is important to know exactly where you stand per operating system.
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