To see the Wi-Fi password on Windows 10, open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center, select your Wi-Fi network’s name next to Connections, select Wireless Properties, open the Security tab, and tick Show characters. The password appears in the Network security key box. For a network you’ve used before but aren’t connected to now, use the netsh command in Command Prompt.
Keep in mind that Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Security updates now come only through the Extended Security Updates program, which stops on October 12, 2027.
Applies to: Windows 10 Home and Pro. You need to be signed in as an administrator to reveal passwords. On Windows 11 the menus differ, so use the Windows 11 Wi-Fi password steps instead.
Method 1: The network you’re connected to
- Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl and press Enter. (Or go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network and Sharing Center.)
- Double-click your Wi-Fi adapter, or select the network name next to Connections in Network and Sharing Center.
- Select Wireless Properties.
- Open the Security tab and tick Show characters.
The Network security key box shows the password. Untick Show characters when you’re done.
Method 2: Any network you’ve connected to before
- Select Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
- List saved networks:
netsh wlan show profiles - Show the password for one of them, replacing the name:
netsh wlan show profile name="Home WiFi" key=clear - Look under Security settings for Key Content. That’s the password.
Keep the quotation marks around names with spaces. If Key Content doesn’t appear, the command wasn’t run as administrator, or the network uses a work login rather than a shared password.
Method 3: Check the router or another device
- Many routers have the default Wi-Fi name and password printed on a label underneath.
- On an Android phone connected to the network, open its Wi-Fi settings, tap the network and Share to see a QR code and often the password.
- On an iPhone with iOS 16 or later, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the info button next to the network and tap Password.
A few more places to look are listed in how do I find my Wi-Fi password?
See all saved Wi-Fi passwords at once
To list every saved network with its password, open Windows PowerShell (Admin) and paste this single command:
(netsh wlan show profiles) | Select-String ": (.+)$" | %{$n=$_.Matches.Groups[1].Value.Trim(); $k=(netsh wlan show profile name="$n" key=clear) | Select-String "Key Content\W+:(.+)$"; [pscustomobject]@{Network=$n; Password=if($k){$k.Matches.Groups[1].Value.Trim()}else{""}}} | Format-Table -AutoSizeIt shows a two-column table of network names and passwords. Networks with a blank password are open networks or use a work sign-in. Close the window afterwards, especially on a shared PC.
Export Wi-Fi profiles to move them to another PC
In an admin Command Prompt, run netsh wlan export profile key=clear folder=C:\WiFi (create the folder first). Each network is saved as an XML file containing its password. On the new PC, run netsh wlan add profile filename=”C:\WiFi\Wi-Fi-Home WiFi.xml” for each file. Delete the folder when you’re done, because the files contain passwords in plain text.
Change the Wi-Fi password
Windows can only show the password, not change it. To change it, sign in to your router’s admin page (the address and login are usually on the router label), find the wireless or Wi-Fi security settings, and set a new password. Then reconnect each device with the new password.
Troubleshooting
Show characters is greyed out
You’re signed in as a standard user. Sign in with an administrator account, or ask the PC’s owner.
“There is no profile assigned to the specified interface”
The name is wrong. Copy it exactly from netsh wlan show profiles.
The password works on the PC but not on a new device
The router password may have changed and Windows reconnects with a cached key. Forgetting the Wi-Fi network and reconnecting with the new password clears it.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to show my Wi-Fi password?
Yes, on your own PC. Be careful about screen sharing or anyone looking over your shoulder.
Where does Windows store other passwords?
Sign-ins for shares and apps are in Credential Manager, where you can find saved passwords or clear cached credentials.
For a shared folder or network PC that asks for a login, look up your network credentials in Windows 10, or find stored passwords with CMD.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.