How Can You Easily Find All Hidden Wi-Fi Passwords in Windows 11? (Simple Methods That Actually Work)

Why Are Your Saved Wi-Fi Passwords So Hard to Find in Windows 11? (Quick Solutions Inside)

I’ve been helping people with Windows issues for years. One question comes up all the time: “How do I see my saved Wi-Fi passwords?”

Windows 11 saves every Wi-Fi password you enter. This is great! But finding them later? That’s where things get tricky.

Why This Matters

Your computer stores Wi-Fi passwords automatically. Every time you connect to a new network, Windows saves that password. But what happens when you need it again?

Maybe you want to connect another device. Or perhaps you forgot the password for your home network. Sometimes you need to share your Wi-Fi with a friend.

The old Windows versions made this nearly impossible. Windows 11 changed that. Now you have two simple ways to find any saved password.

Method 1: Using Windows Settings (The Easy Way)

This method works best for most people. It’s simple. No typing commands. Just point and click.

1. Press Windows + I or click the Start button and select Settings
2. Click “Network & internet” on the left side
3. Then click “Wi-Fi” on the right side
4. Look for “Manage known networks“, click on it
5. You’ll see a list of all saved Wi-Fi networks. Click on the network you want the password for
6. Click the “Show” button
7. The password appears right there
8. You’ll also see a QR code for easy sharing

What You’ll See:

• Network name
• Password in plain text
• QR code for mobile devices
• Connection details

This method works great for networks you’ve used recently. But what if you need something more powerful?

Method 2: Using Command Prompt (The Complete Way)

Command Prompt gives you access to everything. Every saved network. Every password. Even old networks you haven’t used in months.

1. Type “CMD” in the search bar
2. Right-click “Command Prompt“
3. Select “Run as administrator“
4. Click “Yes” when Windows asks for permission
5. Type this command: netsh wlan show profiles
6. Press Enter
7. You’ll see every Wi-Fi network your computer remembers
8. Type: netsh wlan show profile “NetworkName” key=clear
9. Replace “NetworkName” with the actual network name
10. Press Enter
11. Look for “Security settings“
12. Find “Key Content“
13. That’s your password

Pro Tips for Command Prompt

• Network names with spaces need quotes around them
• Capital letters matter in network names
• The password appears under “Key Content”
• If you see “Key Content: Absent” – that network has no saved password

When Each Method Works Best

Use Settings When

• You need one or two passwords
• You want the easiest method
• You like QR codes for sharing
• You’re not comfortable with commands

Use Command Prompt When

• You need to see all saved networks at once
• You want complete network details
• Settings method isn’t working
• You need passwords from old networks

Common Problems and Solutions

“I Don’t See My Network”

Your computer only saves passwords when you type them in. If you connected using WPS or another method, there might be no saved password.

“The Show Button Doesn’t Work”

Try the Command Prompt method instead. Sometimes Windows blocks the Settings method for security reasons.

“Command Prompt Says Access Denied”

You need administrator rights. Make sure you right-clicked and selected “Run as administrator.”

“I See ‘Key Content: Absent'”

This network doesn’t have a saved password. You might have connected using a different method.

Security Considerations

These methods work because you own the computer. Windows requires your permission (administrator access) to see passwords. This protects your networks from unauthorized access.

Important Security Notes

• Only you can see these passwords on your computer
• Other users need their own administrator access
• Shared computers might have passwords from multiple users
• Always log out of administrator accounts when finished

Both methods work well. Settings is easier for quick lookups. Command Prompt gives you complete control.

I recommend trying Settings first. If that doesn’t work or you need more information, switch to Command Prompt.

Remember: your computer saves these passwords to help you. Use this knowledge responsibly. Only access passwords on computers you own or have permission to use.

These methods have saved me countless hours of password hunting. They’ll work for you too. Pick the method that feels most comfortable and start finding those hidden passwords today.