How to Get WiFi Password from Laptop Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever connected your laptop to a WiFi network and later forgotten the password? Don’t worry—it happens to all of us. Maybe you want to share the password with a friend, or perhaps you need it for another device. The good news is, if your laptop is already connected (or has been connected) to the network, you can easily retrieve the password in Windows 11.

In this guide, I’ll show you step-by-step methods to find your WiFi password in Windows 11—whether through Settings, Control Panel, Command Prompt, or even PowerShell.

Table of Contents

Why You Might Need to Find Your WiFi Password

Here are some common situations where retrieving your WiFi password comes in handy:

You forgot your home WiFi password.
You want to connect a new phone, tablet, or smart device.
You need to share the password with guests.
You want to back up your login details before resetting the router.

Think of your WiFi password like the key to your digital home—you don’t always remember it, but you definitely need it!

Method 1: Find WiFi Password Using Windows Settings

This is the easiest way if you’re connected to the network.

Press Win + I to open Settings.
Go to Network & Internet.
Select Advanced Network Settings.
Under More Settings, click Advanced network settings again.
Scroll down and select More network adapter options.
Right-click your WiFi adapter > Status.
Click Wireless Properties.
Go to the Security tab.
Check the box Show characters to reveal your password.

Method 2: Find WiFi Password Using Control Panel

Another classic way:

Press Win + R, type control panel, and hit Enter.
Go to Network and Sharing Center.
Click on your WiFi connection.
Select Wireless Properties > Security tab.
Check Show characters to see the password.

Method 3: Find WiFi Password Using Command Prompt

If you prefer command-line tools, here’s how:

Press Win + S, type cmd, and choose Run as administrator.
Type this command to view all saved WiFi profiles:

netsh wlan show profiles
To see the password for a specific network, type:

netsh wlan show profile name="WiFi-Name" key=clear
Look for Key Content under Security settings—that’s your WiFi password.

Method 4: Find WiFi Password Using PowerShell

PowerShell offers a similar method:

Open PowerShell as Administrator.
Type the following command to see saved profiles:

netsh wlan show profiles
To get the password of a specific network:

netsh wlan show profile name="WiFi-Name" key=clear
Again, check Key Content.

Method 5: Find Password of Previously Connected WiFi Networks

Even if you’re not connected right now, you can still view stored passwords.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Run the following command:

netsh wlan show profiles
This will list all WiFi networks your laptop has connected to.
Use the profile name with:

netsh wlan show profile name="Profile-Name" key=clear
Check the Key Content for the saved password.

Method 6: Use Your Router to Check WiFi Password

If all else fails, you can check directly on your router:

Open a browser and type your router’s IP address (commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
Log in using your router’s credentials.
Go to Wireless Settings.
Look for Wireless Password / Pre-Shared Key.

Tips for Managing Your WiFi Passwords

Write them down in a secure notebook.
Use a password manager for easy storage.
Set a QR code for your WiFi to share with guests easily.
Avoid weak passwords like 12345678 or password.

Troubleshooting: Can’t Find Your WiFi Password?

Make sure you’re signed in as an administrator on Windows.
If you reset your router, the WiFi password will also reset—check the sticker on your router.
For enterprise or school networks, passwords may not be visible due to admin restrictions.

Conclusion

Finding your WiFi password on Windows 11 doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you prefer using Settings, Control Panel, Command Prompt, or even your router’s dashboard, there’s always a way to retrieve it.

So, the next time you forget your WiFi password, don’t panic—you’ve got multiple methods at your fingertips.

FAQs

1. Can I find WiFi passwords for networks I’m not connected to?
Yes, if your laptop has connected to them before, you can retrieve the password using Command Prompt.

2. Is it safe to view WiFi passwords in Windows 11?
Yes, as long as you’re the administrator. But always be careful where you store or share them.

3. What if the “Show characters” option is greyed out?
You might not have administrator privileges—switch to an admin account.

4. Can I see WiFi passwords on Windows 11 without admin rights?
No, you must be logged in as an administrator to view saved passwords.

5. How do I share my WiFi password without typing it?
You can generate a QR code using free online tools and let others scan it to connect instantly.