How Can I View the WiFi Password on Windows 11?

Getting your Wi-Fi password on Windows 11 isn’t as tricky as it sounds. There are times when you need this: maybe a guest is over, or you bought a new gizmo that needs to hop onto your network. Thankfully, Windows 11 has a few slick ways to cough up that password. Let’s check out some routes you can take.

First up, you can go for the GUI method. Here’s the deal: right-click that Wi-Fi icon on your taskbar, hit Network & Internet settings, then slide into Advanced network settings and click on More network adapter options. Double-click your Wi-Fi to bring up its properties, and under the Security tab, check Show characters. Boom, there’s your password.

Prefer taking a walk down memory lane? The trusty old Control Panel is still around. Type control after pressing Win + R, make a beeline for the Network and Sharing Center, and click on your Wi-Fi connection. Under Wireless Properties, you can check Show characters in the Security tab. It’s like finding an old sweater in your closet that still fits.

For those who like to get their hands dirty with some commands, the Command Prompt or PowerShell is your playground. Here’s the magic word: type netsh wlan show profiles to list your saved networks. Then, go deeper with netsh wlan show profile name=[YourNetworkName] key=clear to reveal your password. The Key Content is what you’re after. This method is like a backstage pass — it shows what’s hidden from the regular view.

Another straightforward route is through the Network Connections Panel. Pop ncpa.cpl into the run command (Win + R again), right-click on your Wi-Fi, and click Status followed by Wireless Properties. The Security tab with its Show characters checkbox is your go-to.

Ran into a hiccup? Maybe the Show characters option is acting all shy and grayed out. It could be because you don’t have admin rights or there’s some profile corruption going on. Opening settings or Control Panel as an admin can help, or try our command-line trick again with higher privileges.

If your Wi-Fi profile is playing hard to get and not showing up, perhaps it’s never been connected or saved. Reconnect and run the command method. This should get it out of hiding.

Sometimes, the password just won’t show via the GUI route due to group policies, especially on company devices. Chat with your sysadmin buddy or stick to the command line for a workaround.

A nifty trick: you can export all saved passwords using PowerShell. Run a funky virtual scavenger hunt through your profiles, and voilà, you’ll get a list. For tech-savvy folks, third-party tools like WirelessKeyView can also help, but tread carefully – you’re handling passwords after all.

So, there you have it. Digging up your Wi-Fi password on Windows 11 is a piece of cake once you know where to look.

Overview
There are several straightforward methods to view your saved Wi‑Fi password on Windows 11, each tailored to different user preferences. Below are step‑by‑step instructions for three common methods: using the Windows Settings app, the Control Panel, and the Command Prompt.

Method 1: Using Settings

1. Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on Network & internet in the left-hand menu.
3. Choose Wi‑Fi on the right.
4. Scroll down and select Manage known networks.
5. Find and click the Wi‑Fi network whose password you wish to reveal.
6. Click on the View button next to “View Wi‑Fi security key” to display the saved password.
   This method is the easiest and most user‑friendly way, and it is supported by Microsoft’s own guidance on Windows 11 networking settings .

Method 2: Using Control Panel

1. Open the Control Panel (you can search for it via the Start menu).
2. Click on Network and Internet, and then on Network and Sharing Center.
3. In the Network and Sharing Center, locate your currently connected Wi‑Fi network under the “Connections” section and click on its name.
4. In the Wi‑Fi Status window that opens, click Wireless Properties.
5. Go to the Security tab.
6. Check the box labeled Show characters to reveal the network password in the “Network security key” field.
   This approach is similar to the method detailed by multiple guides and videos online, ensuring compatibility with both Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems .

Method 3: Using Command Prompt

1. Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

netsh wlan show profiles

This command lists all Wi‑Fi profiles saved on your computer.
3. Find the exact name (SSID) of the network whose password you want to view.
4. Now type the following command, replacing “NETWORK_NAME” with your network’s SSID:

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

5. Look for the Key Content field in the output. The value next to it is the saved password.
   This method is appreciated by advanced users as it works for any network profile stored on the computer and has been widely recommended across tech forums, such as those on Microsoft Tech Community and Lifewire .

Additional Notes

• If you’re using a Windows 11 insider build (such as build 23466 mentioned by Microsoft), you may also find an even more streamlined interface for viewing saved Wi‑Fi passwords directly within the Manage known networks section.
• These methods assume you have previously connected to the network and that the password is stored on your device.

Using any of these three methods ensures that you can view your Wi‑Fi password using real, step‑by‑step procedures verified by authoritative sources, including Microsoft’s own support pages, community-based tutorials, and widely‑trusted tech websites.

If you’ve ever found yourself needing to dig up your WiFi password on a Windows 11 machine, I’ve got three easy ways to get you sorted.

First up, there’s the Settings route. It’s pretty straightforward:

• Kick things off by hitting Windows + I to crack open the Settings.
• Head over to Network & Internet and then click on Wi-Fi.
• From there, tap on Manage known networks.
• Pick the network you’re trying to connect to.
• Go into Properties and toggle on Show characters under Security key—your password should pop up!

Feeling techy? Try it through Command Prompt:

• Start by pressing Windows + R to fire up the Run dialog. Enter cmd and smash that Enter key.
• Pop in netsh wlan show profiles and hit Enter again, seeing your stored networks spill out.
• Zero in on your network with netsh wlan show profile name="WiFiNetworkName" key=clear, swapping “WiFiNetworkName” for your actual network name.
• Once you press Enter, the password will be waiting under Key Content.

Last but not least, the old-school Control Panel trick:

• Punch in Control Panel in the search bar to open it up.
• Scoot on over to Network and Sharing Center.
• Click on your Wi-Fi network’s name where it says Connections.
• Tap on Wireless Properties in the status window.
• Swing over to the Security tab and check Show characters next to Network security key—you should see your password there.

And there you have it! A few trusty methods to track down that elusive WiFi password on Windows 11. Honestly, it’s simpler than it sounds once you know where to look. Give it a whirl!