It can be crucial to figure out the WiFi password on your Windows 11 laptop, particularly if you’re having difficulty with your internet connection or need to connect other devices to your network. Thankfully, Microsoft has simplified this procedure, making it easy for consumers to understand. We’ll walk you through a number of ways in this post to find your WiFi password on Windows 11. We can help you locate a saved password for a network you are currently currently connected to or one from a network you have previously accessed.
Why You Might Need to Find Your WiFi Password
There are several reasons why someone might need to figure out their Windows 11 WiFi password. Typical situations include the following:
Connecting Other Devices: The WiFi password is required when connecting new devices, such as tablets, smartphones, or smart home appliances.
Sharing with Guests: It’s convenient to be able to check your WiFi password rather than having to type it again if friends or relatives drop by and ask for it.
Network Problems: If you’re having trouble connecting to the internet, you can check your saved passwords to see if you’re on the right network or if you need to reconnect to a reliable network.
Router Reset: Having the password close at hand will save time if you need to rejoin devices after resetting your router.
Network management: Having saved passwords might make it easier for people who oversee several networks to switch between them quickly.
Method 1: Using the Settings App
You can examine and manage network settings, including WiFi passwords, using the user-friendly settings app that comes with Windows 11. Here’s how to use the Settings app to find your WiFi password:
Open Settings: To access the Start Menu, click the Start button or hit the Windows key. The Settings app can then be opened by clicking on the gear symbol.
To access Network & Internet, locate and click the Network & Internet item in the left sidebar of the Settings window. This will direct you to the area where you can control the settings pertaining to your network.
Access the Sharing Center and Network: Click on the Advanced Network Settings section after scrolling down to find it. More settings can be found in this area. On the Network and Sharing Center menu, click.
View Your Active Network: You can view your current network connections in the Network and Sharing Center. The name of the WiFi network you are connected to will be highlighted when you click on it.
Wireless Properties: A popup titled “WiFi Status” will appear. Select the Wireless Properties button here.
Security Tab: Connection properties will be displayed in a new window. Go to the tab for Security.
Display Characters: The Network security key field is located in the Security tab. The characters in this field are disguised by default. To make your WiFi password visible, check the “Show characters” option. After that, your WiFi password will appear in plaintext.
Method 2: Using the Command Prompt
With Windows 11, users can use the Command Prompt to retrieve their saved WiFi passwords if they are accustomed to using the command line. Here’s how to accomplish it:
Click the Start button, put cm into the search bar, and then right-click on the Command Prompt result to open it. In order to launch an elevated Command Prompt window, choose Run as administrator.
Enumerate Every WiFi Profile: Enter the following command at the Command Prompt and hit Enter:
This command provides a list of every WiFi network your device has previously connected to.
Examine a Particular Profile: Enter the following command, substituting the name of your network for ProfileName, to view the password for a particular WiFi network:
For instance, the command might seem as follows if your network was called “HomeNetwork”:
Find the Password: Look under the Key Content field in the results after executing the aforementioned command. Your WiFi password is the value that appears next to this field.
Method 3: Using Windows Powershell
Another effective solution for recovering your WiFi password is Windows PowerShell. Here’s how to accomplish it:
Right-click the Start button and choose Windows Terminal (Admin) to launch Windows PowerShell. PowerShell can also be found in the Start Menu. Right-click on it and choose Run as administrator.
Enumerate WiFi profiles: To display all saved networks, enter the following command, which operates similarly to the Command Prompt:
Obtain a Network Password: Use this command to obtain the password for a particular network:
Once more, provide the real name of your WiFi network in lieu of ProfileName.
Examine the main content: To see the WiFi password displayed, look for the Key Content line in the report.
Method 4: Using the Registry Editor
WiFi passwords can also be found using the Registry Editor for individuals who are accustomed to working with the Windows Registry. Use cautious, though, since improper registry editing can result in system issues. Here’s how to accomplish it:
Launch Registry Editor: The Run dialog can be accessed by pressing Windows + R. Enter “regedit” and press Enter. Click “Yes” to consent if User Account Control asks you to.
Proceed to the Wireless Area: Expand the folders in the left sidebar to follow this path:
Locate Your Network: Every connection has many entries in the Profiles section. To view each one’s properties, click on it.
View the Connection Name: Locate the ProfileName value, which stands for the WiFi network names, in the right pane.
View Properties of the Connection: Once the correctProfileName has been found, go to:
Find the relevant folder for the network you want here.
Locate the Password: Find the Key value in the relevant folder. This is your WiFi password.
Method 5: Using Third-Party Software
You may quickly recover WiFi passwords with a variety of third-party apps if you find the aforementioned techniques difficult or time-consuming. Among the often used tools are:
WiFi Password Decryptor: This free Windows utility can retrieve forgotten or lost WiFi passwords from your device.
WirelessKeyView: An additional straightforward tool that recovers every wireless network key (WEP/WPA) that is kept on the Windows computer.
WiFi Manager: This program may show your saved passwords in addition to helping you manage your WiFi connections.
To locate your saved WiFi passwords, just download these tools from their respective websites, install them, and then follow the instructions.
Conclusion
Finding your WiFi password on Windows 11 can be a simple process, whether you prefer using the Settings app, Command Prompt, PowerShell, Registry Editor, or third-party software. Understanding how to locate this information is crucial for maintaining your network connectivity, sharing access with guests, and managing multiple devices effectively.
Remember to keep your WiFi password secure and avoid sharing it over unsecured channels to prevent unauthorized access to your home network. With this guide, you now have several methods at your disposal to retrieve your WiFi password quickly and efficiently. Whether you are a novice or a tech-savvy user, you ll find a method that suits your needs. Happy browsing!