If you’ve drawn a blank when prompted to enter a password to access a Wi-Fi connection in Windows, these methods should come in handy.
1. Use Control Panel
One way to view saved Wi-Fi passwords on your PC is through the Control Panel. This method only works for active Wi-Fi networks.
2. With Command Prompt
The command prompt is a powerful tool for handling various tasks on Windows. If you want to view the password for a specific network, you can use Command Prompt to find it. Here’s how: Note: replace “Wi-Fi name” in the command with the name of the Wi-Fi network you’re trying to access (in this example, it’s Kim).
3. Try PowerShell
Windows PowerShell is an advanced version of Command Prompt. This task-based command-line interface is essentially a scripting language used to simplify administrative tasks. You can use PowerShell to view a list of all the Wi-Fi passwords saved on your PC. Here’s how to go about it:
4. Use Wi-Fi Password Revealer
You can also use third-party software to access Wi-Fi passwords saved in your Windows PC. One such tool is Magical JellyBean Wi-Fi Password Revealer. Here’s how to go about it:
5. Use WirelessKeyView
WirelessKeyView is another third-party software for viewing saved passwords. The difference with Wi-Fi Password Revealer is that WirelessKeyView is a portable application. This means you don’t have to install the app to use it, so it’s very popular with sysadmins. Here’s how to use WirelessKeyView: Note: The zip file password is Wkey4567#, as indicated on the download page. While Windows Security might detect WirelessKeyView as malware, it’s perfectly safe. Whitelist the app to run it without interruption.
Alternative: Check the Router
Another possible route is to check whether the password in use is the default one that came with the router. Usually, you’ll find the password indicated on the actual router. The default password should appear after “Wi-Fi password”, “WPA passphrase”, “Wireless security key”, “Default password,” or some combination of any of those words. If this fails, you have one more option – checking the Wi-Fi router’s admin panel. Note: you’ll need permission from the owner of the router. Also, the method uses the router’s default password, so it might not work if the owner has changed it. Once you’re in, you can find the Wi-Fi password in the wireless network settings of the router. The process will vary based on the model of your router. Check the router’s user manual in case you’re having difficulties. Image credit: Pixabay | All screenshots by Richard Kanyoro.
