In today’s digital age, Wi-Fi has become an essential part of our lives, connecting us to the world wide web. We often connect our devices to various Wi-Fi networks, whether at home, work, or public places. While most of the time, you can connect to these networks effortlessly, there might be instances when you need to recall or share the Wi-Fi password. In this article, we will explore different methods to see Wi-Fi passwords on Windows 10, ensuring that you never have to worry about forgetting them again.
Method 1: Using the Network and Sharing Center
Step 1: Open the Network and Sharing Center
To begin, navigate to the system tray and click on the Wi-Fi icon. From the options that appear, select “Open Network & Internet Settings.” This will open the Network and Sharing Center.
Step 2: View your Wi-Fi network properties
In the Network and Sharing Center, locate the “Change adapter options” link on the right side. Click on it to open a window displaying all your network connections. Right-click on your Wi-Fi network and select “Status.”
Step 3: Reveal the Wi-Fi password
In the Wi-Fi Status window, click on the “Wireless Properties” button. A new window will open with various tabs. Navigate to the “Security” tab and check the box next to “Show characters.” The Wi-Fi password will now be visible in the “Network security key” field.
Method 2: Using Command Prompt
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as an administrator
Press the Windows key and type “Command Prompt” in the search bar. Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.” This will open the Command Prompt window with administrative privileges.
Step 2: View the list of saved Wi-Fi profiles
In the Command Prompt window, enter the following command and press Enter:
netsh wlan show profiles
A list of all saved Wi-Fi profiles on your Windows 10 computer will be displayed.
Step 3: Retrieve the Wi-Fi password
To retrieve the Wi-Fi password for a specific network, use the following command:
netsh wlan show profile name="YOUR_NETWORK_NAME" key=clear
Replace “YOUR_NETWORK_NAME” with the name of the network you want to see the password for. Look for the “Key Content” field in the output, which will reveal the Wi-Fi password.
Method 3: Using PowerShell
Step 1: Open PowerShell as an administrator
Press the Windows key and type “PowerShell” in the search bar. Right-click on “Windows PowerShell” and select “Run as administrator.” This will launch PowerShell with administrative privileges.
Step 2: Retrieve the Wi-Fi password using a PowerShell command
In the PowerShell window, enter the following command and press Enter:
(netsh wlan show profile name="YOUR_NETWORK_NAME" key=clear) | Select-String "Key Content"
Replace “YOUR_NETWORK_NAME” with the name of the Wi-Fi network you want to retrieve the password for. The command will display the Wi-Fi password under the “Key Content” field.
Method 4: Using a third-party software
Step 1: Install a password recovery software
There are several third-party software options available that specialize in retrieving Wi-Fi passwords on Windows 10. Research and choose a reliable software that suits your needs. Download and install the software on your computer following the provided instructions.
Step 2: Launch the software and retrieve Wi-Fi passwords
Once the software is installed, launch it and allow it to scan your system for saved Wi-Fi profiles. The software will display a list of networks along with their corresponding passwords. Simply locate the Wi-Fi network you want to see the password for, and the software will provide the information you need.
Conclusion :
Windows 10 provides multiple methods to view Wi-Fi passwords, offering convenience and peace of mind. Whether you prefer using the Network and Sharing Center, Command Prompt, PowerShell, or third-party software, you can easily retrieve Wi-Fi passwords when needed. Just remember to exercise caution and respect privacy and security guidelines.