How to Find WiFi Password on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Need the Wi-Fi password for your laptop, printer, or a friend’s device? In this guide we’ll show you several safe, reliable ways to find WiFi password on Windows 11 — using the GUI (Control Panel), Command Prompt, PowerShell, Router admin page, and even mobile tricks. Whether you’re a beginner or a power user, we’ll walk through each method step-by-step, explain when to use it, and give troubleshooting tips so you’re never stuck.

---

Quick Summary — Key Takeaways

• Easiest (GUI): Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Wireless Properties → Security → Show characters.

• Power method (CMD): netsh wlan show profile name="SSID" key=clear.

• PowerShell alternative: Use netsh inside PowerShell or script network profiles.

• Router method: Log into your router’s admin page to see (or reset) Wi-Fi keys.

• Requirements: You usually need administrative rights to reveal stored Wi-Fi passwords.

• Safety tip: Only view passwords on devices you own or are authorized to manage.

---

Table of Contents

1. Why you might need the Wi-Fi password

2. Quick checklist before you begin

3. Method 1 — Find Wi-Fi password using Control Panel (GUI)

4. Method 2 — Find Wi-Fi password using Command Prompt (netsh)

5. Method 3 — PowerShell method (scriptable)

6. Method 4 — Find Wi-Fi password via Router admin page

7. Method 5 — Other devices and backup options (phone, router sticker)

8. Comparison table: which method to choose

9. Troubleshooting common issues

10. Security considerations and best practices

11. Conclusion — what to do next

12. FAQs

---

1 — Why You Might Need the Wi-Fi Password

Maybe you want to:

• Connect a new device (printer, smart TV).

• Share access with a visitor without changing the guest network.

• Recover a password you configured ages ago and forgot.

• Confirm that the password saved in Windows matches the router’s setting.

Whatever the reason, knowing how to retrieve the password safely saves time and frustration.

---

2 — Quick Checklist Before You Begin

Make sure you have:

• Physical or administrative access to the Windows 11 PC.

• The Wi-Fi network name (SSID) you want the password for.

• Admin rights (some methods require running apps “as administrator”).

• Permission — don’t try to access networks you aren’t authorized to use.

If you’re ready, let’s start with the easiest, most familiar GUI method.

---

3 — Method 1: Find Wi-Fi Password Using Control Panel (GUI)

This is the most user-friendly method. It works when you are currently connected to the Wi-Fi network on the Windows 11 PC.

When to use

• You’re connected to the network and prefer point-and-click steps.

• You don’t want to type commands.

Steps (numbered)

1. Click Start and type Control Panel, then open it.

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

   • (Alternatively, type ncpa.cpl in the Run box to jump to Network Connections.)

3. In Network and Sharing Center, next to Connections: click the blue Wi-Fi (SSID) link.

4. In the Wi-Fi Status dialog, click Wireless Properties.

5. Go to the Security tab.

6. Check Show characters under Network security key.

7. The Wi-Fi password appears in the Network security key field.

Screenshot-friendly note

This method shows the password in plain text — treat it like sensitive info and don’t share screenshots if you’re in public.

---

4 — Method 2: Find Wi-Fi Password Using Command Prompt (netsh)

This is the fastest method for retrieving passwords for both the current network and any previously saved networks.

When to use

• You prefer the command line.

• You need to see passwords for networks you used before.

• You’re scripting or troubleshooting remotely.

Step-by-step (numbered)

Step A — Open Command Prompt as administrator

1. Press Windows + S, type cmd.

2. Right-click Command Prompt → Run as administrator.

3. If prompted by UAC, click Yes.

Step B — List saved Wi-Fi profiles

This prints a list of all saved Wi-Fi profile names (SSIDs).

Step C — Show the password for a specific profile

Replace Your_SSID with the exact profile name from the previous step. Look for the line:

Note

• If the profile name has spaces, keep it inside quotes.

• For networks never used on this PC, you won’t see a profile listed.

---

5 — Method 3: PowerShell Option (Scriptable)

PowerShell can run the same netsh commands, or you can parse profiles programmatically.

Simple one-liner to list profiles

Open PowerShell (Admin) and run:

Script to show all saved Wi-Fi passwords

Here’s a quick PowerShell snippet that loops through profiles and displays SSID + password:

Run PowerShell as Administrator. This outputs each profile and its password.

When PowerShell is preferred

• You want to export a list of SSIDs and passwords to a file.

• You’re automating setup across multiple PCs.

---

6 — Method 4: Find Wi-Fi Password via Router Admin Page

If you can’t access the Windows PC but you do have access to the router or its admin credentials, use the router.

Steps (generalized — router UIs vary)

1. Connect to the router network (wired or wireless).

2. Open a browser and enter the router IP — commonly 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1, or check your router sticker for the address.

3. Log in with the admin username/password (default printed on the router or set by you).

4. Look for Wireless, Wi-Fi, Wireless Settings, or Security.

5. The Wi-Fi password / passphrase / Pre-Shared Key (PSK) will be shown or editable.

6. If it’s hidden, you may be able to change it (note: changing it will disconnect devices using the old key).

Tip

If you’ve never changed router admin credentials, check the router’s physical sticker for defaults — but change them to strong values to keep your network secure.

---

7 — Method 5: Other Devices & Backup Options

If the Windows PC route isn’t available, consider:

• Android device: On many Android phones (Android 10+), go to Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi → Saved networks, pick the network, and tap Share (often requires device PIN/biometric).

• iPhone/iPad: iOS does not show saved Wi-Fi passwords directly unless you use a Mac or iCloud Keychain sync.

• Mac: Use Keychain Access → search for SSID → double-click → show password (admin required).

• Router sticker: Many routers print the default SSID and password on a sticker — useful for first-time setups.

---

8 — Comparison Table: Which Method to Choose?

---

9 — Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem: netsh wlan show profiles shows no profiles.
Fix: The machine has never connected to a Wi-Fi network, or profiles were deleted.

Problem: Key Content is blank or not shown.
Fix: Run the Command Prompt / PowerShell as administrator. Some profiles are stored with limited visibility for system/enterprise-managed networks.

Problem: I changed the Wi-Fi password on the router and devices won’t connect.
Fix: Update the password on each device or reconnect them to the network with the new passphrase.

Problem: Router page won’t load at 192.168.1.1.
Fix: Find the correct gateway IP: open Command Prompt and run ipconfig → look for Default Gateway under your network adapter.

---

10 — Security Considerations & Best Practices

• Only reveal or change Wi-Fi passwords on devices you own or are authorized to manage.

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

• Keep your router firmware up to date.

• Consider setting up a Guest network for visitors so your main network stays private.

• Audit saved profiles periodically and remove networks you no longer use.

---

11 — Additional Tips & Tricks

• If you need to share Wi-Fi quickly, Windows 11 supports Nearby Sharing and some systems allow QR code generation (via router or third-party apps).

• To export saved wireless profiles for backup:

  netsh wlan export profile key=clear folder=C:\wifibackup


  This creates XML files with SSID and key (handle securely!).

• If a laptop is managed by an organization (Work/School), some profiles may be controlled by Group Policy and you may not be able to view keys.

---

12 — Conclusion — What to Do Next

We covered all practical ways to find Wi-Fi password on Windows 11:

• Use the Control Panel for a friendly, GUI approach when connected.

• Use Command Prompt (netsh wlan show profile ... key=clear) to retrieve passwords for current and past networks quickly.

• Use PowerShell when you want to script or export multiple profiles.

• Log into your router if you can — it’s the authoritative source for the network passphrase.

• Use your phone or other devices as alternatives when Windows isn’t available.

If you’re unsure which method to pick, start with the Control Panel (it’s safe), then try netsh for saved profiles. Always keep security in mind and avoid sharing passwords publicly.

---

5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1 — Do I need admin rights to see Wi-Fi passwords on Windows 11?
A: For the Control Panel method you usually don’t need to elevate, but many command line or system profile queries work best when the terminal runs as Administrator.

Q2 — Can I view the password for a Wi-Fi network I’m not currently connected to?
A: Yes — if Windows has previously saved the network profile. Use netsh wlan show profile name="SSID" key=clear to see stored passwords.

Q3 — My company PC blocks netsh results. What can I do?
A: Corporate machines may restrict access for security. Contact your IT admin — they can provide or reset credentials if authorized.

Q4 — Will changing the Wi-Fi password on the router disconnect devices?
A: Yes. Changing the router’s passphrase disconnects devices using the old key; you’ll need to reconnect them with the new password.

Q5 — Is it safe to export Wi-Fi profiles with key=clear?
A: The exported XML files contain plaintext keys, so store them securely and delete the files when finished. Only export on machines you control.

---

Final Takeaway

Finding the Wi-Fi password on Windows 11 is straightforward once you know your options. Whether you love the GUI or lean toward the command line, you can recover or confirm Wi-Fi keys in minutes. Keep passwords safe, use strong passphrases, and only ever access networks you’re allowed to manage.