How to Find Your WiFi Password on Windows 11: A Quick Walkthrough

Figuring out your WiFi password on Windows 11 isn’t always a walk in the park, especially if you’ve forgotten it but need to connect a new device or give someone else a shout. The usual way involves rummaging through network settings and battling with menus that aren’t always helpful. It’s a bit weird, but there are ways to see your saved WiFi passwords without resetting everything or installing third-party tools — though Windows can be a bit iffy about it sometimes. This guide runs through the most reliable methods I’ve come across after trying a few setups. If you’re over resetting your router or peering into command prompts, this might save you some time. Spoiler: it’s mainly about digging into your network details and flicking a couple of switches. You probably won’t nail it on the first go, but one of these should do the trick.

How to View Your WiFi Password on Windows 11

Method 1: Use Network Settings & Command Prompt

This method works when you’ve already connected to a WiFi network and want to grab your password without much faffing. It involves checking in network properties and running a quick command in PowerShell or Command Prompt. It can feel a bit clunky if you’re not used to the terminal, but it’s probably your fastest shot to see it quickly.

Log in as an admin — Windows often blocks access to network info if you’re not.
Open Command Prompt or PowerShell with admin rights. Press Windows key + X and pick Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
Type this to list all your saved network profiles:

netsh wlan show profiles

Find your network’s name (SSID) in the list. Then, run this command to see the details — replacing “NETWORK_NAME” with your actual WiFi name:

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

Look through the info until you find Key Content. That’s your WiFi password. Sometimes it’s hidden in the output, so scroll down until you spot the line.

This trick is a bit lounge-roomy because Microsoft seems to think the command line is the only way — there’s no handy “show password” button in the GUI. Still, one setup worked first go and the other… not so much. But it beats resetting your router or flicking through manual passwords.

Method 2: Via Network & Internet Settings

This is more of a clicky approach, but it only works if you’re currently connected and Windows has your WiFi profile saved. Sometimes, you can see saved network passwords straight from the network settings, but it’s not always obvious — Windows doesn’t always let you see the password from the UI unless you tinker a bit.

Head to Settings → Network & Internet. Quick way is Windows key + I.
Select Advanced network settings or go to Network and Sharing Center, depending on your version.
Click on the Network and Sharing Center link. Then, right-click your current network and choose Wireless Properties.
Switch to the Security tab.
Hit Show Characters next to Network Security Key. If it’s greyed out, make sure you’re logged in as an admin — Windows sometimes blocks access if you’re not.
Voila, the password will show up in plain as day.

This works sometimes, but not all the time — especially if your user account isn’t an admin, or Windows puts restrictions on the network options. Still, for home setups, it’s usually the simplest way without diving into command lines.

Tips for Finding Your WiFi Password on Windows 11

Make sure you’re logged in as an admin — some menus just won’t show the passwords otherwise.
If ‘Show Characters’ is greyed out, double-check your account permissions.
Before mucking about, keep Windows up-to-date. Sometimes, updates fix bugs that block access to stored passwords.
A password manager can save you heaps of hassle if you store your passwords there.
And remember, share your WiFi password carefully — treat it like your digital handshake.

FAQs

Can I see the WiFi password for networks I haven’t connected to?

Nah. Windows only keeps passwords for networks you’ve connected to at least once. If it’s a new network, you’ll have to ask the owner for the password or reset your router’s security settings.

Do I need admin rights to see saved WiFi passwords?

Yes, mate. Without admin privileges, Windows keeps that info locked away. Sometimes, even being a standard admin user doesn’t do the trick — you need to be in the admin group, so double-check your account type.

What if I can’t see the password even with these steps?

Could be restrictions on your Windows setup or your network isn’t saved properly. Sometimes a reboot or disconnecting and reconnecting fixes it. Or, if all else fails, just reset your router password — quicker than hacking your way through the OS.

Summary

Run netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK_NAME" key=clear in PowerShell or Command Prompt to see your password.
Check the Key Content line for your WiFi password.
Or go to Network & Internet, right-click your WiFi network, pick Properties, then head to Security and click Show Characters.

Final Word

Honestly, there’s no totally fuss-free way to grab your WiFi password without a little bit of messing around, especially with Windows’ patchy restrictions. But once you’ve done it a couple of times, it’s second nature. It’s a bit satisfying — like cracking a little lock with some command-line magic or GUI sleuthing. Just keep your passwords safe and don’t go flashing them around. Hopefully, this helps someone connect that stubborn device a bit quicker.