How to Find Network Credentials in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. What “network credentials” mean in Windows 11

“Network credentials” is a broad term. Here are the common meanings:

• Wi-Fi password (network security key) — used to join a wireless network.

• Username and password for network shares (SMB) — used when connecting to a shared folder or network printer.

• Saved web/app credentials for remote services (in Credential Manager).

We’ll cover each of these so you can recover the exact credential you’re looking for.

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2. When do you need to find network credentials?

• You’re connecting a new laptop or phone to your Wi-Fi network.

• You forgot the Wi-Fi password but another PC is still connected.

• You need to reconnect an old mapped network drive or NAS.

• You’re troubleshooting network access and want to verify stored credentials.

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3. Quick method index — choose the right path

• Wi-Fi password (currently connected): Settings → Network & internet.

• Wi-Fi password (saved profiles): Control Panel or netsh (Command Prompt).

• All saved username/password pairs: Credential Manager.

• For scripted or remote work: PowerShell.

• Router admin: when PC methods fail.

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4. Method A — Find Wi-Fi password for the currently connected network (Settings)

This is the simplest when your PC is already connected to the Wi-Fi network.

1. Click Start → Settings (or press Windows + I).

2. Go to Network & internet → Wi-Fi.

3. Click the network name (or Hardware properties / View additional properties, depending on build).

4. Under Security or Network security key, you may see masked characters. Click eye icon or Show (you must be an admin / enter your Windows password if prompted).

If Settings doesn’t surface the key, use the Control Panel or netsh method below.

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5. Method B — Find Wi-Fi passwords for saved networks (Control Panel & GUI)

Windows’ classic network interface still has an easy option:

1. Open Control Panel (press Windows + R, type control, Enter).

2. Click Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center.

3. Click your Wi-Fi connection name (the blue link next to Connections:).

4. In the status window, click Wireless Properties.

5. Switch to the Security tab.

6. Check Show characters to reveal the Network security key. You may be asked for admin rights.

This shows the password for whichever network you clicked on (the one the PC is using).

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6. Method C — Find Wi-Fi passwords using Command Prompt (netsh)

netsh wlan is powerful and great when you want to list saved profiles and show their keys.

Step 1 — Open elevated Command Prompt

• Press Windows, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt → Run as administrator.

Step 2 — List saved Wi-Fi profiles

You’ll see a list like: All User Profile : MyHomeWiFi

Step 3 — Show the key for a profile

Replace MyHomeWiFi with the profile name. Look under Key Content — that’s the Wi-Fi password.

Notes:

• Only works for profiles that were saved on the PC.

• Requires admin privileges for key=clear.

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7. Method D — Using PowerShell to list Wi-Fi profiles and reveal keys

If you prefer PowerShell (scriptable, useful for admins):

Open PowerShell as admin: Press Windows, type PowerShell, right-click → Run as administrator.

List profiles:

Get key for one profile:

(You can parse and extract Key Content in PowerShell if you need to export multiple keys.)

PowerShell is preferred for automation or when managing multiple systems.

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8. Method E — Find stored network usernames/passwords (Credential Manager)

Windows Credential Manager stores Windows credentials (network shares, mapped drives, remote desktop) and Web Credentials (often for IE/Edge forms or saved apps).

Open Credential Manager

1. Press Windows + R, type control keymgr.dll, Enter — or go Control Panel → User Accounts → Credential Manager.

2. Choose Windows Credentials or Web Credentials.

Windows Credentials contains:

• Domain\username or ComputerName\username entries for network shares and remote services.

• Click an entry → Show to reveal password (may prompt for admin credentials).

When to use Credential Manager

• Recover credentials used for mapped drives (e.g., \\NAS\share), RDP saved credentials, or apps that store Windows credentials.

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9. Method F — Retrieve credentials for mapped network drives and SMB shares

Mapped drives often prompt for credentials; once saved, they appear in Credential Manager (see above). If you need to reconnect:

1. Open File Explorer → This PC.

2. Right-click mapped drive → Disconnect (if you want to reconnect with different credentials).

3. To map again: Map network drive → enter \\Server\Share → check Connect using different credentials and provide the username/password.

If the drive was mapped using a different user, check Credential Manager for the saved entry and edit/remove it.

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10. Method G — If everything fails: check the router or contact admin

If a PC no longer has the password saved and you can’t access router UI:

• Look for the default Wi-Fi password on the router label (SSID / WPA key).

• Login to router admin (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) using admin credentials (often printed on the router). In the wireless settings you’ll see the Wi-Fi password.

• If on a company network, ask IT — they may use centralized authentication (RADIUS / 802.1X) where passwords aren’t stored locally.

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11. Table — Method comparison at a glance

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12. Troubleshooting: common problems and fixes

• No profiles listed with netsh: Profiles were stored per user — run Command Prompt as the same user that saved them, or check other user accounts.

• “Key Content” missing or empty: The key wasn’t saved on that PC — try the router or the device that was used to originally save it.

• Credential Manager shows encrypted entries you can’t unlock: You need the user account that saved them, or admin rights.

• Windows resets network defaults after update: Reapply the default app settings and reenter credentials as needed.

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13. Security & privacy best practices when handling credentials

• Never share credentials over insecure channels (email, chat) without encryption.

• Use strong, unique passwords for Wi-Fi and admin/SMB accounts.

• Enable WPA2/WPA3 on routers; avoid WEP or open networks.

• Use a password manager for web/app credentials instead of storing them in plain text.

• Remove old or unused saved credentials from Credential Manager.

• Limit admin access: only trusted users should be able to reveal keys.

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14. FAQs (short, precise answers)

Q1 — Can I view Wi-Fi passwords for other users on the same PC?
A: Only if you have administrator rights and the other user’s profiles were stored for all users. Otherwise you’ll need to sign in as that user.

Q2 — Is it safe to use netsh wlan show profile name="X" key=clear?
A: Yes — but it reveals the password in plain text on your screen. Don’t run it where others can see or capture output.

Q3 — Where are credentials stored on disk?
A: Windows stores network credentials encrypted in the Credential Manager vault and profile-specific Wi-Fi data under system profile folders — not as plain text.

Q4 — Can I export Wi-Fi profiles including keys?
A: You can export profiles with netsh wlan export profile name="X" key=clear (admin required). The exported XML will contain the key in plain text — protect exported files.

Q5 — What if my Wi-Fi uses enterprise authentication (802.1X/RADIUS)?
A: Enterprise networks use unique usernames/passwords or certificates — check Credential Manager or contact IT; the network key is not a simple “Wi-Fi password.”

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15. Conclusion — steps to take now

1. If you’re connected to the Wi-Fi, use Settings or Control Panel for the quickest reveal.

2. For any saved profile on your PC, use netsh or PowerShell — useful for automation or multiple profiles.

3. For mapped drives or RDP credentials, open Credential Manager.

4. If the PC doesn’t have the key, log into your router or ask the network administrator.

5. Clean up and secure credentials: remove unused entries, enable WPA3/WPA2, and consider a password manager.