How to Check WiFi Password in Windows 11 CMD

Knowing how to find your WiFi password on Windows 11 can be incredibly helpful, especially if you’ve forgotten it but need to connect a new device or share it with someone. Using the Command Prompt (CMD) provides a quick and effective way to retrieve saved WiFi passwords without needing to access your router settings or reset your network. Before you start, ensure you are logged into an administrator account on your Windows 11 PC, as elevated permissions are required to access network security details.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 11 PC with administrative privileges
• Active WiFi connection or previously connected WiFi network saved on your PC
• Basic familiarity with opening Command Prompt

Step-by-Step

1. Press the Windows key or click on the Start menu to open the search bar.
2. Type “cmd” or “Command Prompt” into the search bar.
3. Right-click on the “Command Prompt” app and select “Run as administrator” to open it with elevated privileges. Confirm any User Account Control prompts if they appear.
4. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command to view all WiFi profiles stored on your PC:

   netsh wlan show profiles

   and press Enter.

5. Identify the WiFi network name (SSID) from the list of profiles displayed. Make a note of the exact name, including spaces and capitalization.
6. To view the password for a specific WiFi network, type the following command, replacing “NETWORK_NAME” with the exact name of your WiFi network:

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

   and press Enter.

7. Scroll through the results until you find the “Security settings” section. Look for the line labeled “Key Content” — this displays your WiFi password.
8. Copy the password or write it down for future reference. If you want to see it again later, simply repeat the command with the network name.

Common Mistakes

• Entering the wrong network name: Ensure you copy the exact SSID from the list, including spaces and capitalization.
• Running Command Prompt without administrator privileges: Without elevated permissions, the command may not display the password.
• Using incorrect syntax: Make sure to include quotes around the network name if it contains spaces, and use the correct command structure.
• Attempting to view passwords for networks not saved on your PC: Only networks previously connected and saved will appear.

Tips

• Copy and paste commands directly into CMD to avoid typos.
• If you have multiple profiles, double-check the network name before retrieving the password.
• Use the netsh command sparingly; it’s a powerful tool for managing wireless profiles.
• Always run CMD as administrator to ensure access to all profile details.

Troubleshooting

If the command doesn’t display the WiFi password or you encounter errors, try these steps:

• Ensure you are running Command Prompt with administrator privileges. Right-click and select “Run as administrator”.
• Verify the network name (SSID) is correct and matches exactly what appears in the list of profiles.
• Check if the network profile is still saved on your PC. If not, you will need to reset the password on your router or ask the network administrator.
• If the profile is missing, reconnect to the WiFi network and choose the option to save the profile again.
• Restart your PC and try the commands again.
• If commands still don’t work, consider resetting your network settings or updating your network drivers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the WiFi password of a network I haven’t connected to before?

No, Windows only displays passwords for networks you have previously connected to and saved on your device.

Is it possible to retrieve WiFi passwords from a different user account?

Only if you have administrator rights on that account. Regular user accounts typically cannot access other users’ saved network passwords.

What if the password is not shown under “Key Content”?

This might happen if the profile was created without saving the password or if the profile is corrupted. You may need to reset your network settings or retrieve the password from your router.

Can I use this method to find the password for a public WiFi network?

No, only networks that your Windows 11 device has previously connected to and saved are accessible via this method.

Is there a way to see WiFi passwords without using CMD?

Yes, you can view saved WiFi passwords through the Network & Internet settings or via the router’s admin panel, but CMD provides a quick command-line method.

Will this work if I am connected to the WiFi network but haven’t saved the password?

No, the method requires the network profile to be stored on your device. If not saved, you’ll need to ask the network administrator or reset the router.

By following these steps, you can easily retrieve your WiFi password on Windows 11 using Command Prompt. This is especially useful if you’ve forgotten your password but need to connect another device or share access with someone else. Remember to keep your passwords secure and avoid sharing them unnecessarily.

Related

• How to Change Tab Colors in Windows Terminal
• How to Change System Product Name in Windows 11 Easily
• How to Change System Locale in Windows 11 for Better Compatibility