How to find Wi-Fi passwords on macOS and Windows PC or laptop

Are you still keeping your Wi-Fi password safe by writing it on a sticky note at your workplace, making a note on your phone, and keeping a screenshot? Technically, you don’t need to do this at all. You can easily find all the Wi-Fi passwords you have ever connected to your Windows PC or MacBook.

Windows PC and a macOS implicitly save the Wi-Fi passwords; to access them, you need to get into the device’s settings. All you are required to have is the administrative privilege of the PC and MacBook. Here’s a quick guide to learning how to find passwords to all Wi-Fi networks you have connected to.

How to find Wi-Fi passwords on Windows PC

Here are the steps to find the Wi-Fi password of a network to which you have connected previously:

1. Click the Windows Start menu and type “cmd.”
2.  Right-click on the “Command Prompt” from the search result and tap “Run as administrator.”
3.  In the command prompt window, type in “netsh wlan show profiles” and hit Enter. It will display you the list of Wi-Fi networks.
4.  Again, type and hit the command netsh wlan show profile “Wi-Fi name” key=clear. Replace the Wi-Fi name with the network name you want to find the password. Ex- I have searched netsh wlan show profile “Smartprix_5G” key=clear. 
5.  Find the password written after “Key Content.”

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There is another way to find the Wi-Fi password of your current network. Here are the quick steps:

1. For Windows 11, go to the Start button>Control Panel>Network and Internet>Network and Sharing Center. For Windows 10, go to Settings>Network & Internet>Status>Network and Sharing Center.

1. Tap on the Wi-Fi name highlighted in blue. 
2.  Click on Wireless Properties>Security tab.
3.  Tap on the “Show characters” check box. The field of the “Network security key” is your required password.

This method only lets you show the password of the Wi-Fi you’re currently connected to.

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How to find Wi-Fi passwords on MacOS

Finding Wi-Fi passwords is just a few clicks away without pushing you to write any code or something. All you have to do is to follow the below-mentioned steps.

1. Click the magnifying glass icon on the top right corner to open the Spotlight search bar. Alternatively, click the Command + Space buttons simultaneously.
2.  Search “Keychain Access” and hit Enter.
3.  It will open the Keychain Access app. 
4.  Click “System” on the left side panel, then tap “Passwords.”
5.  It will show all the Wi-Fi networks you connected to your MacBook before. Double-tap the Wi-Fi you want to find the password.
6.  Click on the Show Password check box.
7.  Verify with your device admin’s username and password.
8.  You will be shown your Wi-Fi password in the text field.