Windows: How to Find the Wi-Fi Password Using CMD

Forgotten your Wi-Fi password? Need to connect a new device but can’t recall the complex string of characters? You don’t have to scramble for that sticky note or reset your router just yet! Hidden within Windows is a powerful, built-in tool that lets you retrieve your Wi-Fi password quickly and securely—no third-party software required.

• TABLE OF CONTENTS
  • Methods to Find Wi-Fi Password Using Windows
    • Method 1: Find Wi-Fi Password Via the Command Prompt (CMD)
    • Method 2: Easy Method to Find Wi-Fi Password Via Network & Internet settings
  • How to Find the Wi-Fi Password Using CMD in Windows – FAQ’s

In this guide, we’ll show you how to use the Command Prompt (CMD) to reveal your saved Wi-Fi passwords in Windows 11 and 10 in a matter of seconds. This guide will help you whether you are troubleshooting connectivity issues, helping a friend connect to your network, or just curious about your security settings. This method is perfect for both tech enthusiasts and casual users. Say goodbye to password panic and hello to simplicity with this easy, command-line trick!

Methods to Find Wi-Fi Password Using Windows

There are mainly two methods to find out the wifi passwords in Windows systems. Here in this section, we have mentioned both of the methods, one using Windows CMD and the other using Windows settings. Now, go through methods to know which one is better for you.

Method 1: Find Wi-Fi Password Via the Command Prompt (CMD)

We can see your forgotten Wi-Fi password by running a couple of quick ‘netsh’ commands using Windows Command Prompt.

Step 1: Open CMD

• Press start and type CMD, right-click on the Command Prompt option shown as a search result; and click on Run as administrator.  

Step 2: Type WLAN Command

• Type the following command and press Enter to show a list of network names that we connect to.

netsh wlan show profile

netsh wlan show profile

This command list of all wireless network profiles saved on the computer, including their names and settings as shown below. Select the Wi-Fi you want to know its password. Let’s suppose we want to see the password for the Wi-Fi Name “Gravity”.

Step 3: Enter Show Profile Command

• Now, type the following command and again press enter

netsh wlan show profile name= "Wi-Fi name" key=clear

netsh wlan show profile name= "Wi-Fi name" key=clear

• This command displays detailed information about that Wi-Fi, including the Profile information, Connectivity settings, Security settings and Cost settings for the specified Wi-Fi network profile.

Step 4: Find Key Content Option

• Scroll through the results until we find an entry named Key Content & our Wi-Fi password will be listed next to it.

As now we have our Wi-Fi password, you can connect our device to the network to complete our work. 

Method 2: Easy Method to Find Wi-Fi Password Via Network & Internet settings

Step 1: Open Network Settings

• Connect to the Wi-Fi that you want to know the password, then right-click the [Network] icon on the taskbar and select [Network and Internet settings].

Step 2: Choose Advance Settings

Select [Advanced network settings].

Step 3: Choose Related Settings

Under Related settings, select [More network adapter options].

Step 4: Select WiFi Option

• Choose the connected Wi-Fi network, then select [View status of this connection].

Step 5: Select Wireless Properties

• Select [Wireless Properties].

Step 6: Click on Security Tab

• On the [Security] tab of Wireless Network Properties, check the box [Show characters], you will see the Wi-Fi password in the Network security key field. 

Conclusion

Knowing how to find Wi-Fi password using CMD in Windows 11/10 is a valuable skill, especially when you need to access a saved network or help someone else connect. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can quickly and easily retrieve Wi-Fi passwords using CMD without having to reset your router or search for old notes. This method is not only efficient but also secure, as it only reveals passwords for networks you’ve connected to previously.

How to Find the Wi-Fi Password Using CMD in Windows – FAQ’s

How do I find the Wi-Fi password using CMD in Windows 11/10?

You can use the following command to find the Wi-Fi password using CMD:

netsh wlan show profile name="Wi-Fi name" key=clear

netsh wlan show profile name="Wi-Fi name" key=clear

Can I use the same CMD command to find the Wi-Fi password in Windows 10?

Yes, the same command works for both Windows 11 and Windows 10. Simply open the Command Prompt and use the netsh wlan show profile command to find the Wi-Fi password with CMD in Windows 10.

Can I find all previously connected Wi-Fi passwords using CMD?

Yes, you can find all your previously connected WiFi passwords using the following command:

netsh wlan show profiles

netsh wlan show profiles

Are there any alternative ways to find Wi-Fi passwords without CMD?

Yes, you can check for the Wi-Fi passwords by navigating through this following:

Settings > Network & Sharing > Wi-Fi Properties > Security > Show Characters

Can I find the Wi-Fi password on a guest network?

Yes, you can check the Wi-Fi password a a guest network only if that guest network is saved on your device.

Is it safe to use CMD to find Wi-Fi passwords?

Yes, using CMD to find saved Wi-Fi passwords is safe as long as you are retrieving passwords for networks you have previously connected to. This method only shows the passwords for networks stored on your device.

What if I can’t find the Wi-Fi network in CMD?

If you cannot find your Wi-Fi network using CMD, ensure that the network name is spelled correctly in the command. Additionally, make sure you have connected to the network in the past, as CMD only retrieves passwords for previously connected networks.

Can I use CMD to find the Wi-Fi password for all networks I’ve connected to?

Yes, you can use CMD to list all previously connected Wi-Fi networks and their passwords. Run netsh wlan show profiles to see all saved networks, then use the same netsh wlan show profile command for each network to see Wi-Fi passwords using CMD in Windows 10 or 11.

How do I find the Wi-Fi password on a specific drive in CMD?

If your Wi-Fi credentials are saved on some other drive then switch over using ‘cd’ command and execute the netsh wlan commands to find the Wi-Fi password.