Forgetting your Wi-Fi password can be frustrating, especially when you need to connect a new device or share access with a guest. Fortunately, Windows 11 provides several built-in methods to retrieve saved Wi-Fi passwords quickly and securely. Whether you're a home user or an IT professional, knowing these techniques can save time and hassle.

Method 1: Using Windows Settings (GUI Method)

The simplest way to view a saved Wi-Fi password is through Windows Settings:

  1. Open Settings (Win + I) and navigate to Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
  2. Click Manage known networks and select your target network.
  3. Choose Properties, then click the Show password checkbox under "Network security key."
  4. Authenticate with your Windows account password if prompted.

Pros: User-friendly, no technical knowledge required.
Cons: Requires admin rights; won't work for networks you're not currently connected to.

Method 2: Command Prompt (netsh)

For more advanced users, Command Prompt offers powerful network tools:

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

Look for the "Key Content" field in the Security Settings section. This method works for all saved networks, not just active connections.

Security Note: Be cautious when using this in public spaces as the password displays in plain text.

Method 3: PowerShell Alternative

PowerShell provides similar functionality with more formatting options:

(netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK_NAME" key=clear) | Select-String "Key Content"

This filters the output to show only the password line, which is useful for scripting or batch operations.

Method 4: Export All Wi-Fi Profiles

To backup all your Wi-Fi passwords at once:

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator
  2. Run:
netsh wlan export profile name="*" key=clear

This creates XML files in your current directory containing all saved networks and their passwords. The files are stored in plain text, so handle them securely.

Security Considerations

  • Always ensure you have proper authorization to access network passwords
  • Delete exported XML files after use
  • Never share Wi-Fi passwords over unsecured channels
  • Consider using a password manager for sensitive credentials

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter problems:
- Verify administrator privileges
- Check if the network profile still exists (some may be removed after disconnection)
- Ensure the Wi-Fi service is running (services.msc)
- Try the methods in Safe Mode if encountering permission errors

Advanced Tip: Viewing Enterprise Network Credentials

For corporate networks using WPA2-Enterprise:
1. Open Credential Manager (via Start menu)
2. Navigate to Windows Credentials
3. Look for entries under "Generic Credentials"

These often contain the username and password for 802.1X authenticated networks.

Best Practices for Wi-Fi Password Management

  • Regularly export and securely store your Wi-Fi passwords
  • Use strong, unique passwords for each network
  • Consider setting up a guest network with limited access
  • Document passwords in encrypted format if needed for IT teams

Windows 11 makes it relatively straightforward to recover forgotten Wi-Fi passwords through multiple methods. While the GUI approach works for most users, the command-line methods offer more flexibility for power users and IT professionals. Always remember to handle recovered passwords with appropriate security measures.