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How to Find Your Wi-Fi Password on Windows 11: 5 Easy Ways

By · November 6, 2026
White Wi-Fi router on a white table

Five simple ways to see a saved Wi-Fi password on a Windows 11 PC, including what to do when none of them work.

Quick answer: To find your Wi-Fi password on Windows 11, open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks and select the network. Then click Show on Windows 11 24H2 or later, or View on versions 22H2 and 23H2. You can also use the Control Panel or the netsh command. All of these only work for a network already saved on your PC.

You are connected to your home or office Wi-Fi, a guest asks for the password, and nobody remembers it. Windows 11 stores the password for every network you have joined, so you can usually read it in under a minute.

These methods are meant for networks you own or are allowed to use. They only show passwords already saved on your own PC. They will not reveal a password for a network you have never joined.

In this article

Which method should you use?

Method Best for Must be connected? Admin rights?
Settings app Most people on recent versions No, it only needs to be saved Usually not, but you may see a prompt
Control Panel Older builds of Windows 11 Yes May be required
Command Prompt Any saved network, on any version No Yes, for the key=clear command
Router label or admin page A network not saved on the PC Depends Router login needed
A phone already connected When the PC has no saved copy Phone must be connected No

Not sure which version you have? Press Windows + R, type winver, and press Enter. A small window shows your version number.

How do you find the password in Settings?

This is the easiest option on any up-to-date PC.

1. Open the saved networks list

Open Settings with Windows + I. Go to Network & internet > Wi-Fi, then click Manage known networks. If you are connected to the network you want, you can also open its properties directly.

2. Select the network

Click the network name. A settings page for that saved network opens.

3. Reveal the password

On Windows 11 24H2 or later, click Show beside “Wi-Fi network password”. On versions 22H2 and 23H2, click View beside “View Wi-Fi security key”. Confirm any prompt, and the password appears on the screen.

Example
Bilal runs a small office and needs the Wi-Fi password for a new printer. His laptop runs 24H2, so he opens Manage known networks, clicks the office network, and presses Show. He has the password in less than 30 seconds, without having to find the router.

How do you find it through the Control Panel?

This older path still works on all versions of Windows 11, but you must be connected to the network.

  1. Click Start, search for Control Panel, and open it.
  2. Go to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
  3. Click Change adapter settings on the left.
  4. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and choose Status.
  5. Click Wireless Properties, then open the Security tab.
  6. Tick Show characters. The password appears in the “Network security key” box.

How do you find it with Command Prompt?

This method works on any Windows 11 version and for any saved network, even one you are not connected to.

1. Open the terminal as an administrator

Click Start, search for Command Prompt or PowerShell, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator.

2. List your saved networks

Type this and press Enter:

netsh wlan show profiles

3. Show the password

Use the exact network name from the list:

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

Look under Security settings for the line called Key Content. That is the password. If the name contains spaces, keep the quotation marks.

BTS Magazine Tip
Close the window once you have the password, particularly on a shared computer or during a screen share. Anyone looking at your screen can read the Key Content line just as easily as you can.

What if the network is not saved on your PC?

If your PC has never joined the network, or if the profile was removed, Windows has nothing to show you. Try these options instead.

  • Check the router label: Many routers have the default network name and password printed on a sticker. It will not work if someone has changed the password since setup.
  • Log in to the router: Your router’s admin page, or your internet provider’s app, usually shows the current Wi-Fi password. You will need the admin login.
  • Use a phone already connected: On an iPhone with iOS 16 or later, open Settings, then Wi-Fi, tap the info icon next to the network, and tap Password. Many Android phones can show a QR code for sharing the network in their Wi-Fi settings.
  • Ask the owner: At work or in a shared building, the network administrator can provide the correct access, which may be a separate guest network.
Example
Layla moved her home router behind a TV and lost track of the sticker. Her new laptop had never been on that network. She opened the password on her iPhone in seconds, typed it into the laptop, and then saved a copy in her password manager.

Why might these methods fail?

  • The Show or View button is missing: Your version may be older. Use the Command Prompt method or update Windows.
  • The Security tab asks for permissions: You may need to sign in with an administrator account. A work laptop may block this on purpose.
  • Key Content is missing: You did not run the terminal as an administrator, or the network uses a company login instead of a shared password.
  • The password does not work on another device: It may have been changed on the router since your PC last connected. Check the router or ask the owner.
  • Your network has a captive portal: Hotels, airports and cafes often use a sign-in page rather than a saved password, so there is nothing for Windows to display.

How should you keep your Wi-Fi password safe?

Once you have found the password, it is a good moment to tighten things up.

  • Store it safely: A password manager is safer than a sticky note on the router.
  • Set up a guest network: Give visitors their own network so they stay away from your work files and devices.
  • Change the default: If your router still uses its factory password, set a long one and change the router admin password too.
  • Share with care: Change the password if a former employee or tenant still has it.

For more on protecting a small business network, read our guide to zero trust security.

Try this today
Find your own Wi-Fi password using the Settings method, then store it in a password manager. Next time a guest or a new device needs it, you will have it ready in seconds.

Frequently asked questions

Can I see my Wi-Fi password on Windows 11 without admin rights?

Often, yes. The Settings method may work without one, though some prompts or work policies can require an administrator. The netsh key=clear command needs an admin terminal.

How do I see all saved Wi-Fi passwords on Windows 11?

Run netsh wlan show profiles to list networks, then run the key=clear command for each one. You can also open each network in Manage known networks.

Can I find the password for a network I never connected to?

No. Windows only stores passwords for networks your PC has joined. Use the router, the provider app or ask the network owner.

Is it safe to run the netsh command?

Yes. It only reads your saved settings and does not change anything. Just be careful about who can see your screen.

Where is the Wi-Fi password on my router?

Many routers show it on a label on the back or underneath, often called the Wi-Fi key, WPA key or network key. If it has been changed, check the admin page.

Why does Windows 11 show a Wi-Fi security key instead of a password?

They mean the same thing. Security key and network key are other names for the Wi-Fi password.

Final Thoughts

  • Use Settings first, since it is the fastest method on current versions of Windows 11.
  • Use the netsh command for saved networks you are not connected to right now.
  • Turn to the router or a connected phone if the PC has no saved copy.
  • Store the password safely, and give guests a separate network where you can.

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