How to See WiFi Password Windows 10 CMD: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / November 6, 2025

Forgot your WiFi password on Windows 10? Don’t worry — it happens to all of us! Maybe you want to connect another device, share the password with a friend, or simply check the saved network credentials.

While you can view WiFi passwords through Windows Settings, the fastest way is by using the Command Prompt (CMD).

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to see your WiFi password in Windows 10 using CMD — step by step. We’ll also cover other useful methods, pro tips, and troubleshooting tricks to make the process smooth and simple.

Table of Contents

Why Use CMD to Find Your WiFi Password?

Using the Command Prompt isn’t just for tech experts — it’s actually a powerful and quick way to access detailed WiFi information.

Here’s why CMD is often the best method:

  • ⚡ Faster: It shows results in seconds — no need to dig through menus.

  • More detailed: You can view all saved WiFi networks and their passwords.

  • No third-party software: Everything is built right into Windows 10.

  • Useful for troubleshooting: Perfect for network administrators or IT users managing multiple networks.

What You’ll Need Before You Begin

Before jumping into commands, make sure you have the following:

Requirement Description
Windows 10 PC Any edition (Home, Pro, Education)
Previously connected WiFi network You can only view passwords of networks you’ve already connected to
‍ Administrator access Needed to run Command Prompt with full privileges

⚠️ Note: You cannot view WiFi passwords for networks you haven’t connected to before.

Method 1: How to See Your Current WiFi Password Using CMD

This method lets you find the password of the WiFi network you’re currently connected to.

Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

  1. Press Windows + S and type cmd.

  2. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

  3. Click Yes on the User Account Control (UAC) prompt.

You should now see the CMD window with administrator rights.

Step 2: Find Your WiFi Network Name

Type the following command and press Enter:

netsh wlan show interfaces

This command lists all active WiFi connections.

Look for the line that says:

SSID : Your_WiFi_Name

This shows the name (SSID) of the WiFi network you’re connected to.

Step 3: View the WiFi Password

Now that you know your SSID, type the following command:

netsh wlan show profile name="Your_WiFi_Name" key=clear

Replace “Your_WiFi_Name” with the actual SSID (WiFi name).
Example:

netsh wlan show profile name="HomeNetwork" key=clear

Scroll through the results and find:

Key Content : yourpassword123

✅ That’s your WiFi password!

Step 4: (Optional) Copy or Save It

You can copy the password and paste it into a notepad for safekeeping — just make sure it’s stored securely.

Method 2: How to View Saved WiFi Passwords (All Networks) Using CMD

If you want to check WiFi passwords for all previously connected networks, follow this method.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt (Admin)

Repeat the first step:

  • Press Windows + S → type “cmd” → Run as administrator

Step 2: View All Saved Networks

Type this command:

netsh wlan show profiles

This will display a list of all WiFi networks your computer has ever connected to.

Example:

Profiles on interface Wi-Fi:
User profiles
-------------
All User Profile : HomeNetwork
All User Profile : OfficeWiFi
All User Profile : CafeNet

Step 3: Find the Password for Each Network

To view the password for any of these profiles, type:

netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clear

Example:

netsh wlan show profile name="OfficeWiFi" key=clear

Look for:

Key Content : yourpassword456

Repeat this command for each saved WiFi network if needed.

⚙️ Method 3: How to Export All WiFi Profiles with Passwords (Advanced Users)

If you manage multiple computers or networks, you can export all saved WiFi profiles (including passwords) to a file.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt (Admin)

Step 2: Enter the Export Command

Type:

netsh wlan export profile folder="C:\WiFiBackup" key=clear

This creates a folder named WiFiBackup on your C: drive with all saved WiFi profiles and passwords in XML format.

Example output:

Profile HomeNetwork is saved in file "C:\WiFiBackup\Wi-Fi-HomeNetwork.xml"

You can open these XML files with Notepad and find your passwords under:

<keyMaterial>yourpassword</keyMaterial>

Alternative Method: View WiFi Password via Control Panel

If you prefer not to use CMD, you can also find your password using the Network and Sharing Center.

Step 1: Go to Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center

Step 2: Click your WiFi name next to “Connections”

Step 3: In the WiFi Status window, click Wireless Properties

Step 4: Go to the Security tab

Step 5: Check Show characters to reveal your password

Useful CMD Commands for Network Management

Here’s a quick reference table of helpful CMD commands:

Command Purpose
netsh wlan show profiles Lists all saved WiFi networks
netsh wlan show profile name="SSID" Displays WiFi details
netsh wlan show profile name="SSID" key=clear Shows WiFi password
netsh wlan delete profile name="SSID" Removes a saved network
ipconfig /all Shows all network adapter details
netstat -an Displays active network connections
ping [website] Tests network connectivity
tracert [website] Traces route to a network host

How to Hide or Remove a Saved WiFi Network

If you want to clean up your list of saved networks:

To Delete a Specific Network:

netsh wlan delete profile name="NetworkName"

To Delete All Saved Networks:

netsh wlan delete profile name=*

This helps protect your privacy, especially if you use public or shared computers.

How to Find WiFi Passwords Using PowerShell (Bonus Method)

If you prefer PowerShell, it’s just as easy.

Step 1: Open PowerShell as Administrator

Step 2: Enter This Command:

(netsh wlan show profiles) | Select-String "\:(.+)$" | ForEach-Object {($_.Matches.Groups[1].Value.Trim())} | ForEach-Object {$_; (netsh wlan show profile name="$_" key=clear) | Select-String "Key Content"}

This command lists all saved WiFi networks and their passwords at once.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

❌ 1. “The system cannot find the file specified”

  • Check your WiFi name (SSID).

  • Make sure it’s enclosed in quotes if it contains spaces.

❌ 2. “Key Content” Line Missing

  • You’re not connected to that WiFi network, or the password was never saved.

  • Try reconnecting to the network and re-running the command.

❌ 3. CMD Doesn’t Run as Administrator

  • Right-click the CMD icon and select Run as administrator again.

❌ 4. WiFi Password Not Displaying

  • Ensure your Windows user account has administrator rights.

  • Reboot your PC and try again.

Why It’s Useful to Know Your Saved WiFi Password

Knowing how to retrieve WiFi passwords using CMD can be helpful in many real-life situations:

  • Connecting new devices (phones, laptops, TVs)

  • ‍‍‍ Sharing WiFi with guests or family

  • ️ IT maintenance for business networks

  • Backing up network credentials before formatting your PC

Instead of calling your ISP or resetting your router, you can find it in seconds using CMD.

CMD vs Settings vs Control Panel — Which Method Is Better?

Method Difficulty Speed Shows Multiple Networks Best For
CMD Medium ⚡ Fast ✅ Yes Tech users or admins
Settings Easy Moderate ❌ No Beginners
Control Panel Easy Moderate ❌ No Occasional users
PowerShell Advanced ⚡ Fast ✅ Yes Advanced users

If you want speed, control, and details, CMD wins every time.

Pro Tip: Securely Store Your WiFi Passwords

Once you’ve retrieved your WiFi password, consider saving it securely.

Options include:

  • ✅ Using a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane

  • ✅ Storing it in a password-protected text file

  • ✅ Writing it down and keeping it in a safe place

Avoid saving passwords in open text files on your desktop or sharing them online.

Bonus: How to See WiFi Passwords on Windows 11

If you ever upgrade to Windows 11, these commands still work!

Just follow the same steps — CMD commands are identical across Windows 10 and Windows 11.

FAQs About Seeing WiFi Password in Windows 10 Using CMD

1. Can I find WiFi passwords of networks I haven’t connected to?

No. CMD can only show passwords for networks that your PC has previously connected to and saved.

2. Do I need internet access to run these commands?

No. You just need administrative rights — the data is retrieved from your local system.

3. Can I find other users’ WiFi passwords on the same computer?

Only if their WiFi profiles are stored under your user account. Otherwise, no.

4. Is it safe to use CMD for viewing WiFi passwords?

Yes. These commands are built into Windows and completely safe to use.

5. Can I hide my WiFi password from other users?

Yes. Use guest networks or user account controls to prevent access to saved WiFi profiles.

✅ Conclusion

Finding your WiFi password in Windows 10 using CMD is quick, safe, and incredibly useful — especially when you forget your credentials or need to connect a new device.

With just one simple command:

netsh wlan show profile name="WiFiName" key=clear

you can instantly view your password without any third-party tools or complex settings.

Remember, CMD isn’t just for techies — it’s your built-in toolbox for managing Windows efficiently.

So the next time you forget your WiFi password, skip the router reset — just open CMD and retrieve it in seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • ✅ Use CMD to quickly view saved WiFi passwords on Windows 10.

  • ✅ Command: netsh wlan show profile name="WiFiName" key=clear

  • ✅ Works only for previously connected networks.

  • ✅ Run CMD as administrator for full access.

  • ✅ You can also export all WiFi profiles with passwords using netsh wlan export.

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