Where do you find all those saved Wi-Fi passwords on your Mac or Windows?

After setting up your home Wi-Fi network, you probably don’t think much about the password since your laptop, phone, and other devices are all connected now.

And then one day your friend or family member comes by and wants access to your WiFi network, but you don’t remember your password – and you didn’t write it down.

Is it that super long number on the back of your routers? Or did you change it to something more personal?

Luckily there is a way to be found All Your Wi-Fi passwords in one place – your computer.

Continue reading: The best password managers for 2022

As long as your Windows or Mac computer has previously connected to the network, this WiFi password will be permanently stored in your settings. It may require a little digging on your part, but all the passwords are there, stored and ready to be shared with anyone who wants to connect to Wi-Fi.

Here’s how to find the passwords for every Wi-Fi network you’ve ever connected to on macOS and Windows. Discover more 17 basic settings to customize your MacBook or Here’s how to get the most out of Windows 11.

How to Find WiFi Passwords in MacOS

Any password you type and save on a Mac is stored in Keychain Access, the password management system for macOS. And that includes passwords for Wi-Fi networks.

First, use the search function to open the Keychain Access app and do the following:

1. Click on system among System keychain in the sidebar.

2. Then click on passwords at the top of the window.

3. Locate the Wi-Fi network you want the password for and double-click it.

4. Finally, check the box next to Show password and enter your password when prompted.

Keychain access app popup on MacBook

Find all your saved Wi-Fi passwords in Keychain Access app on macOS.

Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET

The password field will then display the password you used to log into that Wi-Fi network. You can double-click in the password field to select the password and copy it to your clipboard if needed.

How to Find Wi-Fi Passwords on Windows

Finding the password for the Wi-Fi network you’re currently connected to is easy on Windows, but getting your hands on all the saved Wi-Fi passwords takes a bit of work, so we’ll cover both methods below discuss.

To find the password for the Wi-Fi network you’re currently connected to in Windows:

1. press the begin button and then go to Switchboard > network and internet > Network and sharing center (Windows 11) or settings > Network & Internet > status > Network and sharing center (Windows 10).

2. Next to linksclick on the name of your WiFi network highlighted in blue.

3. On the WiFi status page that opens, click Wireless Characteristics and then on the security Tab.

4. Finally, check the box next to show characters to display your Wi-Fi network password above it.

Network Sharing Center on a Windows laptop

You can easily find the password for the Wi-Fi network you are currently connected to on Windows.

Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET

However, this is not the only way to find your WiFi network passwords. The above method only allows you to view the password for the WiFi network you are currently connected to, but there is a way to find the passwords All the Wi-Fi networks you’ve ever connected to on your Windows computer.

Here’s how to find all your Wi-Fi network passwords on Windows:

1. Right click on the Windows icon in the taskbar on your desktop.

2. click Windows Terminal (Admin).

3. type show netsh wifi profile and hit Input on your keyboard to see all the Wi-Fi networks you’re connected to.

4. When you find the WiFi network you want the password for, enter it netsh wlan show profile “(wi-fi network name)” key = delete (for example, netsh wlan Display “Netgear667” profile key = delete), and then press the Input Key.

Windows terminal on the computer

You can use Windows Terminal to find all of your Wi-Fi network passwords.

Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET

Profile, connectivity, security and cost settings are displayed. The WiFi network password is displayed under Security Settings and next to Key Content. In addition to Windows Terminal, you can also use the Command Prompt application to enter the commands listed above to find your Wi-Fi passwords.

If you want to read more about passwords, be it on your computer or your smartphone, read the The best password managers to use and Nine rules to remember when creating a password.

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