How To Recover Your WiFi Password on Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Method

If you’ve ever been in that awkward situation where a device needs your WiFi password but you’ve completely forgotten it, you’re not alone. Sometimes, Windows saves those passwords, but finding them isn’t always straightforward, especially if you’re not used to digging through settings or command prompts. Luckily, there’s a way to peek behind the curtain and see those saved WiFi passwords without resetting your router or calling tech support. This guide walks through how to reveal your WiFi password in Windows 10 — and, honestly, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Just a few clicks in the right spots, and that password is yours again, ready to share or keep safe.

How to Find the WiFi Password on Windows 10

This whole process involves poking into your network settings. Basically, Windows keeps a record of the passwords you’ve used after you connect, but it’s hidden away to keep things somewhat private. When a device or friend asks for the WiFi password, you can uncover it through a few settings tweaks—assuming you have admin rights. This method works well if you’ve connected to the network before, and it’s saved locally. On some setups, you might need admin privileges to see the full password, so keep that in mind. Once you get to the end, you’ll see the secret little string of characters that makes up your WiFi password, which you can then jot down or share as needed. Just be careful not to leave it lying around openly — WiFi passwords aren’t exactly a secret, but still, better safe than sorry.

Access the Network and Sharing Center

First, right-click the WiFi icon in the taskbar (that little signal strength icon) and choose Open Network & Internet settings.
This opens the Windows Settings app. Here, scroll down or look for a link that says Network and Sharing Center. Sometimes, you’ll find it under Advanced network settings or a direct link at the bottom of the page.
Click that link, and it’ll take you directly to a classic Windows Control Panel window showing your active networks. If you’re having trouble, just fire up the Control Panel (search for it in the start menu) and head directly to Network and Sharing Center.

Find Your WiFi Network in the List

Look for your current network name—usually the same with what you connect to regularly. Click on it. If it’s not showing up, or you’re on a different network, just select the right one from the list.
This opens a window with status info about that connection. Hit the Wireless Properties button—you might have to click Details or look for a button that says Properties depending on your Windows version.

Reveal the WiFi Password in Wireless Properties

Once inside Wireless Properties, switch to the Security tab. Here’s where things get interesting.
Check the box next to Show characters. Sometimes this box is greyed out if you don’t have admin rights, so make sure you’re logged into an administrative account on that machine.
As soon as you do that, the password (which is hidden as dots or stars) will appear as plain text. This is your WiFi password—what you need to connect new devices or give to friends without resetting everything.

It’s kinda weird, but on one setup it worked the first time, but on another, I had to restart my PC last night just to see the password show up. Windows can be unpredictable that way.

Tips for Finding the WiFi Password on Windows 10

Save your passwords in a password manager or a secure note because Windows will only show the password if you’re local admin or have the right privileges.
If you’re connecting to a network at a place like a café or hotel, and you’re not the admin, this method won’t work—you’d need their assistance or access to the router’s admin panel.
Remember, changing the WiFi password isn’t in these settings. If you want to do that, you’ll need to log into your router directly (usually through a web interface like the common IPs) and update it there.
If the “Show characters” box is grayed out, you probably don’t have the right permissions. Log in as administrator or ask someone with those rights to help out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the WiFi password if I’m not currently connected?

If you’ve connected before but aren’t currently on the network, no worries. You can still retrieve the saved password using Command Prompt. Just open a command prompt as administrator and run:

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

Look for the Key Content line — that’s your WiFi password. Substitute “YourNetworkName” with your actual network name.

Can I find the WiFi password without admin rights?

Usually, you need admin privileges for this kind of info because Windows protects it for security. If you’re not admin, you might be out of luck unless someone else with rights helps.

Is it safe to share my WiFi password?

Sharing is caring, but be careful here. Only give it to people you trust—it grants access to your network and all connected devices. If you’re worried about security, change your password afterward.

Why is the “Show characters” checkbox greyed out?

This usually means you’re not logged in as an administrator or the network settings are locked down by policies. Try logging in with an admin account or ask your network admin for help.

Can I change my WiFi password through these settings?

Nope, these only let you view the current password. To change it, log into your router’s admin page — usually something like 192.168.1.1 or your router’s specific IP — and look for the wireless settings.

Summary

Open Network & Internet Settings via the taskbar or Start menu.
Go to Network and Sharing Center, then pick your network.
Click Wireless Properties, then head to Security.
Check “Show characters” to reveal the password.

Wrap-up

Figuring out your WiFi password in Windows 10 isn’t as bad as it looks—if you’ve already connected before, the info is just hiding behind a couple of menus. Not sure why Microsoft made it a little clunky, but hey, now you’ve got the secret key to your network again. Whether you’re giving it to a houseguest or setting up a new device, this trick is pretty useful. Just keep it safe, and maybe stash it somewhere secure for the future. Fingers crossed, this helps someone save a few minutes or avoid a reset that might be overkill.