How to Find Wi-Fi Security Key in Windows 11

This article explains how to find your Wi-Fi security key in Windows 11.

Why You Might Need Your Wi-Fi Password

When you connect to a Wi-Fi network, Windows 11 saves your password. You don’t have to type it every time you want to connect. But sometimes you need to find that password again. Maybe you forgot it. Maybe you want to use it on another device. Or maybe you want to share it with someone else.

What happens when you find your Wi-Fi password? You can connect other devices to your network. You can share the password with guests. You can also change it if you think someone unauthorized is using it.

Check Your Modem First

Most Wi-Fi routers and modems have the Wi-Fi password printed on the back of the device. Look there first. If you haven’t changed the original password from your service provider, you’ll find it on a sticker. If you changed it, use the steps below to find it in Windows.

Method 1: Use the Settings App

Step 1: Open the Settings app by clicking the Start menu and selecting Settings.

Step 2: In the Settings app, select Network & internet on the left side. Then select the Wi-Fi section to expand it.

Step 3: You can also expand the Wi-Fi connection button on the Quick Settings menu. Then select Properties.

Step 4: When the Wi-Fi Properties panel opens, scroll down. Look for the option that says View Wi-Fi security key. Click on it.

Step 5: A small window will pop up. Your Wi-Fi security key (password) will be displayed here.

Step 6: Close the Settings app when you’re done.

Method 2: Use the Command Prompt

You can also view your Wi-Fi password using the Command Prompt in Windows 11. This method uses one simple command.

Step 1 (Admin Required): Open the Command Prompt. You must run it as administrator for this to work.

Step 2: Type the command below and press Enter:

netsh wlan show profile "Wi-Fi NAME" key=clear

Replace Wi-Fi NAME with the actual name of your Wi-Fi network. For example, if your Wi-Fi is called “HomeNetwork”, the command would be:

netsh wlan show profile "HomeNetwork" key=clear

Step 3: The command will display information about your Wi-Fi. Look for the line that says Key Content. This is your Wi-Fi password.

Here’s what the output looks like:

Profile HomeNetwork on interface Wi-Fi:
=======================================================================

Applied: All User Profile

Profile information
-------------------
Version : 1
Type : Wireless LAN
Name : HomeNetwork
Control options :
Connection mode : Connect automatically
Network broadcast : Connect only if this network is broadcasting
AutoSwitch : Do not switch to other networks
MAC Randomization : Disabled

Connectivity settings
---------------------
Number of SSIDs : 1
SSID name : "HomeNetwork"
Network type : Infrastructure
Radio type : [ Any Radio Type ]
Vendor extension : Not present

Security settings
-----------------
Authentication : WPA2-Personal
Cipher : CCMP
Authentication : WPA2-Personal
Cipher : GCMP
Security key : Present
Key Content : mypassword123

Summary

Windows 11 gives you two easy ways to find your Wi-Fi security key. The first way is through the Settings app. It’s simple and doesn’t require any special knowledge. Just go to Network & internet, find Wi-Fi, and look for the View Wi-Fi security key option. The second way uses the Command Prompt. It requires you to run one command as administrator. Both methods work well and let you see your password quickly. Once you have your password, you can connect other devices to your network or share it with others. Choose whichever method feels easiest for you.

Frequently Asked Questions