How To View WiFi Passwords on Windows 11: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Figuring out the WiFi password on Windows 11 isn’t always straightforward, especially if you’ve forgotten it but need to connect a new device or share with someone. The usual way seems to involve digging through network settings and fighting with menus that don’t always cooperate. It’s kind of weird, but there are ways to view saved WiFi passwords without having to reset everything or use third-party tools — though sometimes Windows makes it harder than necessary. This guide walks through the most reliable methods I’ve found after messing around with several setups. If you’re tired of resetting your router or cracking open command prompts, this might save some time. Spoiler: it’s mainly about digging into your network details and toggling a few options. You might not get it on the first try, but one of these approaches will likely do the trick.

How to See WiFi Password on Windows 11

Method 1: Use the Network Settings & Command Prompt

This method works when you’ve previously connected to a WiFi network and want to retrieve the saved password without much fuss. It combines checking in network properties and running a quick command in PowerShell or Command Prompt. On some setups, this can feel a bit clunky, especially if you’re not used to the terminal, but it’s probably your fastest shot for a quick peek.

Make sure you’re logged in as an Administrator because Windows often locks down network info otherwise.
First, open the Command Prompt or PowerShell with admin rights. To do this, press Windows key + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
Type the following command to list all profiles and find the name of the WiFi network you want to see:

netsh wlan show profiles

Find your network’s name (SSID) in the list. Then, input this command to view the profile details, replacing “NETWORK_NAME” with your actual network name:

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

You’ll see a lot of info, but scroll down until you find Key Content. That’s your WiFi password. Sometimes, it’s hidden behind the command output, so just look for that line.

This approach is kind of weird because Microsoft thinks the terminal is my only option for this and doesn’t give a straightforward “show password” button in the GUI. Still, on one setup it worked on the first try, on another… not so much. But it beats resetting the router or fishing through saved passwords manually.

Method 2: Through Network & Internet Settings

This is more of a GUI way, but it only works if you’re already connected and Windows saved your WiFi profile. Sometimes, you can view saved network passwords directly in the network settings, but it’s not always obvious — Windows doesn’t always let you see the actual password from the UI unless you poke around.

Go to Settings → Network & Internet. You can open Settings quickly with Windows key + I.
Select Advanced network settings or scroll to Network and Sharing Center – depends on your version.
Click on Network and Sharing Center link, then right-click your active network and choose Wireless Properties.
Navigate to the Security tab.
Click on Show Characters next to Network Security Key. If it’s grayed out, make sure you’re logged in as an admin — sometimes Windows doesn’t give you access otherwise.
Presto, the password appears in plain text.

This sometimes works, but not always—especially if your user account doesn’t have admin rights or if Windows put restrictions on the network sharing options. Still, for the home setup, this is often the easiest way without needing to dive into command lines.

Tips for Seeing WiFi Password on Windows 11

Make sure you’re logged in as an admin — some menus won’t let you see passwords otherwise.
If ‘Show Characters’ is gray, double-check your account permissions.
Before poking around, ensure your Windows is fully updated. Sometimes, updates fix bugs that block access to saved passwords.
Using a password manager can save you from this pain in the future, especially if you store your passwords there.
Remember, don’t share your WiFi password willy-nilly — treats it like your digital handshake.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Nope. Windows only stores passwords for networks you’ve connected to at least once. If it’s a new network, you’re out of luck unless you ask the network owner for the password or reset your router’s security settings.

Do I need admin rights to see saved WiFi passwords?

Absolutely. Without administrator privileges, Windows pretty much locks that info away — no matter what method you try. Sometimes, even being logged in as admin doesn’t help if your user isn’t in the admin group, so double-check your account type.

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

Then, your Windows might have restrictions, or you’re connected to a network without saved credentials. Sometimes, just rebooting or disconnecting and reconnecting clears things up. Or, if all else fails, reset the WiFi router password — that’s usually faster than hacking through the OS settings.

Summary

Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as admin and type netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK_NAME" key=clear.
Find the Key Content line for your password.
Or go to Network & Internet, right-click your WiFi, choose Properties, then the Security tab, and click Show Characters.

Wrap-up

Honestly, there’s not a perfect way to get your WiFi password without a little hassle, especially with Windows’ built-in restrictions. But once you’ve done it a couple times, it becomes second nature. It’s kind of satisfying—like cracking a little lock with some command-line magic or GUI digging. Just remember to keep your passwords safe and avoid sharing them around too much. Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours for someone trying to connect that stubborn device.