You joined the home network months ago. A guest now needs the password and the sticker on the router is faded. Windows still has it, because it needs it to reconnect. You can read it in Settings on Windows 11, or with one command that works on 10 and 11.
Only do this on a PC you own or administer. Reading a password on a work laptop may be against policy even if Windows will show it.
What you need
- A PC that has connected to that Wi-Fi before
- An administrator account for the command-line method
In this guide
1. Windows 11 Settings
Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks. Click the network name. Open Wi-Fi network password or the properties view that includes a Show password button (wording moves slightly between 11 builds). You may have to approve a User Account Control prompt. That is the password other devices need.
If you are connected right now: Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi → [connected network] → View Wi-Fi security key, on builds that offer it.
2. Any recent Windows: netsh
Open Terminal or Command Prompt as administrator. List networks this PC remembers:
netsh wlan show profiles
Find the exact name (SSID) in the list. Then run, replacing the name:
netsh wlan show profile name="Your Network Name" key=clear
In the output, look under Security settings for Key Content. That line is the password. If the name has spaces, keep the quotes.
3. The old Control Panel adapter path
This still works when Settings is being vague. Search View network connections. Right-click Wi-Fi → Status → Wireless Properties → Security tab. Tick Show characters. Approve UAC. Same password.
If the password box is empty
No Key Content, or Show characters is grey
- This PC never stored that network. You cannot recover a password Windows never saved. Look at the router sticker, the ISP app, or the router’s admin page (often printed on the same sticker).
- A workplace network using WPA-Enterprise / 802.1X does not have a simple shared key. There is nothing for Key Content to show. Ask IT.
- You must run the command prompt elevated. A normal window will hide the key.
After you have the key, put it in a password manager. Do not text it in a group chat that lives forever. If the reason you needed it is that the laptop would not get online, go back to the connected-but-no-internet guide.
Common questions
Can I see a password for a network I never joined?
No. Windows only stores networks this PC has used. Check the router sticker or the ISP app for a network this laptop never saved.
Why is Key Content empty?
Run Command Prompt as administrator. A normal window hides the key. Workplace WPA-Enterprise networks also have no shared key.
Is it legal to read this on a work laptop?
Windows will show it if you are an admin. Company policy may still forbid it. Ask IT on a managed PC.
