How to View Saved Wi-Fi Passwords in Windows 11

Windows 11 saves the password and other connection information when you connect to a protected Wi-Fi network. This makes it possible to reconnect automatically without entering the password every time.

Sometimes, however, you may need to find a saved Wi-Fi password. For example, you might want to connect your phone to a network that your Windows PC already uses, or you may have forgotten the password but still have access to the network on your computer.

Windows 11 provides several ways to view saved Wi-Fi passwords. Depending on your Windows version and whether you are currently connected to the network, you can use Settings, Control Panel, Command Prompt, or Windows Terminal.

Some methods are easier for beginners, while command-based methods are useful when you need to retrieve the password for an older saved Wi-Fi profile.

Method 1: View the Current Wi-Fi Password From Settings

Windows 11 provides a direct way to view the password of a Wi-Fi network you are currently connected to.

Follow these steps:

• Press Windows + I to open Settings.
• Click Network & internet.
• Select Wi-Fi.
• Click the connected Wi-Fi network or open its properties.
• Look for the Wi-Fi network password option.
• Click Show next to the password.

Windows may require you to authenticate before displaying the password.

Once authentication is complete, Windows will show the saved Wi-Fi password.

This is one of the simplest methods because you do not need to use Command Prompt or remember any commands.

The option may look slightly different depending on your Windows 11 version. If you cannot find the password option, use one of the alternative methods below.

Method 2: View a Saved Wi-Fi Password Using Control Panel

Control Panel still provides access to traditional Wi-Fi connection properties in Windows 11.

This method is useful if you are connected to the network and prefer the classic Windows interface.

Follow these steps:

• Press Windows + R.
• Type:

ncpa.cpl

• Press Enter.
• Find your Wi-Fi adapter.
• Double-click the active wireless connection.
• Click Wireless Properties.
• Open the Security tab.
• Find the Network security key field.
• Check Show characters.

The saved Wi-Fi password will appear in the Network security key field.

If the Show characters option is unavailable or the password is not displayed, you may need administrator privileges.

This method is particularly useful on systems where the newer Settings interface does not expose the password option.

Method 3: Find a Saved Wi-Fi Password Using Command Prompt

Command Prompt provides one of the most useful methods for retrieving passwords from saved Wi-Fi profiles.

First, open Command Prompt:

• Press Windows + S.
• Search for Command Prompt.
• Right-click it.
• Select Run as administrator.
• Click Yes if User Account Control appears.

Now enter:

netsh wlan show profiles

Press Enter.

Windows will display the wireless network profiles saved on the computer.

Find the name of the Wi-Fi network whose password you want to retrieve.

Then enter:

netsh wlan show profile name="Wi-Fi-Name" key=clear

Replace Wi-Fi-Name with the exact network profile name.

For example:

netsh wlan show profile name="Home WiFi" key=clear

Press Enter.

Look through the results for Key Content. The value displayed next to Key Content is the saved Wi-Fi password.

If the network name contains spaces, keep the quotation marks around the name.

This method can also work for Wi-Fi networks that are no longer currently connected, as long as their profiles are still saved on the computer.

Method 4: View Saved Wi-Fi Passwords With Windows Terminal

Windows Terminal can run the same wireless networking commands and is convenient if you regularly use the modern command-line interface.

Follow these steps:

• Press Windows + X.
• Select Terminal or Terminal (Admin).
• Enter:

netsh wlan show profiles

• Press Enter.
• Find the saved Wi-Fi network you need.
• Run:

netsh wlan show profile name="Wi-Fi-Name" key=clear

• Press Enter.
• Find Key Content in the results.

The value next to Key Content is the saved password.

You can use this method to retrieve passwords from multiple saved networks. Simply repeat the command with the appropriate profile name.

If you receive an error, first run the profile-list command again and make sure you are using the exact profile name displayed by Windows.

Method 5: Find the Password for an Older Saved Wi-Fi Network

You do not necessarily have to be connected to a Wi-Fi network to retrieve its saved password.

If Windows still has the wireless profile stored, Command Prompt can display its saved security information.

Start by listing saved profiles:

netsh wlan show profiles

Find the network name and then run:

netsh wlan show profile name="Wi-Fi-Name" key=clear

For example:

netsh wlan show profile name="Office Network" key=clear

Check the output for Key Content.

If the profile does not appear in the list, Windows no longer has the saved connection profile. In that situation, you cannot retrieve the old password from that computer using this method.

You would need to obtain the password from the router, network administrator, or another device that still has access to the network credentials.

Method 6: Find Your Wi-Fi Password When the Settings Method Doesn’t Work

If the password option is missing from Settings, try the traditional Control Panel method.

Open the Run dialog by pressing:

Windows + R

Then enter:

ncpa.cpl

Press Enter.

Next:

• Double-click the Wi-Fi connection.
• Select Wireless Properties.
• Open the Security tab.
• Find Network security key.
• Enable Show characters.

If this method also fails, use Command Prompt:

netsh wlan show profiles

Then:

netsh wlan show profile name="Wi-Fi-Name" key=clear

These alternative methods are helpful because Windows 11 has changed the location and appearance of some networking options across different releases.

Also make sure you are using the correct saved profile. A computer may contain several profiles with similar names.

Method 7: Protect Your Saved Wi-Fi Passwords

Anyone who has sufficient access to your Windows account may potentially be able to retrieve saved Wi-Fi credentials, depending on their permissions and the method used.

For this reason, protect your Windows account with a strong password or another appropriate sign-in method.

Avoid sharing Command Prompt output that contains Key Content, because it can expose your wireless password.

If you no longer use a particular Wi-Fi network, you can remove its saved profile instead of leaving its credentials stored on the computer.

To remove a saved profile using Command Prompt, you can use:

netsh wlan delete profile name="Wi-Fi-Name"

Replace the network name with the profile you want to remove.

You can also forget saved Wi-Fi networks through Windows 11 Settings.

Conclusion

Windows 11 gives you several ways to view a saved Wi-Fi password. If you are currently connected to the network, the Settings app or Control Panel can provide a straightforward graphical method.

For more flexibility, Command Prompt and Windows Terminal can display saved wireless profiles and reveal the stored password through the netsh wlan command.

The Command Prompt method is especially useful when you need the password for an older network that is still saved on your computer but is not currently connected.

Remember that Wi-Fi passwords are sensitive information. Only retrieve or share credentials for networks you are authorized to access, and avoid exposing the Key Content value in screenshots, messages, or public posts.

FAQs

1. Can I see my saved Wi-Fi password in Windows 11?

Yes. If Windows has saved the network credentials, you can view the password through supported Wi-Fi settings, Control Panel, or the netsh wlan command.

2. What command shows a saved Wi-Fi password?

First run:

netsh wlan show profiles

Then run:

netsh wlan show profile name="Wi-Fi-Name" key=clear

The saved password appears next to Key Content.

3. Can I find a Wi-Fi password if I am not currently connected?

Yes, provided the Wi-Fi profile is still saved on the Windows 11 computer. Use netsh wlan show profiles to check whether the network is stored.

4. What if the Wi-Fi network isn’t listed in saved profiles?

If the network does not appear when you run netsh wlan show profiles, Windows does not have that saved Wi-Fi profile. You will need to obtain the password from the router, network administrator, or another authorized source.

Quick Summary

• Use Settings to view the password of a supported current Wi-Fi connection.
• Use Control Panel > Wireless Properties > Security to reveal a saved password.
• Use netsh wlan show profiles to list saved Wi-Fi networks.
• Use netsh wlan show profile name="Wi-Fi-Name" key=clear to display a saved password.