Wi-Fi Recover

How to Recover a Lost Wi-Fi Password in Windows 11

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Keep forgetting the Wi-Fi password can be a frustrating experience especially when you want to connect a new device or share the password with someone else. With Windows 11, you have multiple options, all remarkably simple. There’s no need to reset your router, call tech support or even leave your home or office, all you need is to access a built-in Windows tool or any third-party application to recover a lost Wi-Fi password.

recover a lost Wi-Fi password

This guide will show you how to recover lost Wi-Fi passwords using the latest tools and settings available in Windows 11.

Method 1: Recover WiFi Password Via Control Panel

You can find your saved Wi-Fi password using the Control Panel on Windows 11 if you’ve already connected to that network before.
Step 1: Press Windows Key + R, type control panel, and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
WPA3
Step 2: In the Control Panel, click on “Network and Internet,” then select “Network and Sharing Center.”
Step 3: On the right side of the window, next to “Connections:” click on your Wi-Fi name (displayed in blue text).
Step 4: Click on the “Wireless Properties” button.
Lost Wireless password
Step 5: In the next window, go to the “Security” tab, check the box labeled “Show characters,” and the password will appear in the Network security key field.
Lost Wireless Password

This method is available only for Wi-Fi networks which your computer has previously connected to and may require admin access to view the password.

Method 2: Recover Wi-Fi Password via Command Prompt

If you’ve forgotten your Wi-Fi password or want to verify past connections, you can use the Command Prompt to view saved Wi-Fi profiles and their passwords for networks your system has previously connected to in Windows 11.
Step 1: Press the Windows Key, type cmd, then right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
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Step 2: Type the following command and press Enter:

netsh wlan show profiles

Step 3: Type the following command, replacing WiFiName with the name of the network you want to check:
netsh wlan show profile name=”WiFiName” key=clear
Replace “YourNetworkName” with the exact Wi-Fi network name
Step 4: Scroll down to the Security settings section to find the Key Content, which displays the password.
This method only works for Wi-Fi networks saved on your computer, and you need to run Command Prompt as an administrator to view the saved password.

Method 3: Recover Wi-Fi Password via Powershell

PowerShell is a modern alternative to Command Prompt which provides users with a more sophisticated means of recovering saved Wi-Fi passwords by quickly accessing saved network profiles and credentials with better automation, a cleaner interface. This advanced Windows utility enables comprehensive automation and scripting with PowerShell commands.
Step 1: Press the Windows Key, type Windows PowerShell, then right-click on Windows PowerShell and select Run as administrator.

Step 2: Type the following command and press Enter:

netsh wlan show profiles

Step 3: Type the following command, replacing WiFiName with the name of the network you want to check:
netsh wlan show profile name=”WiFiName” key=clear
Replace “YourNetworkName” with the exact Wi-Fi network name
Step 4: Scroll down to the Security settings section to find the Key Content, which displays the password.
This method only works for Wi-Fi networks saved on your computer, and you need to run Windows PowerShell as an administrator to view the saved password.

Method 4: Recover Wi-Fi Password via Windows 11 Settings App

If you use a Microsoft account to sign into Windows 11 and have Wi-Fi syncing enabled, your saved Wi-Fi passwords can be synced across your all devices. This means you can view the password of a synced network directly through the Settings app.
Step 1: Press Windows + I to open the Settings app, then click Network & Internet from the left sidebar.
Step 2: Under the Wi-Fi section, click on Manage known networks.
Step 3: Select the network for which you want to retrieve the password.
Step 4: Click on View Wi-Fi security key to see the saved password.

Method 5: Using a Third-Party Tool to Recover Wi-Fi Passwords

If you wish to find out saved Wi-Fi passwords, you can use third-party applications. These tools are made in such a way that they scan your Windows computer and show all saved Wi-Fi profiles with their passwords in a single window.
WirelessKeyView (by NirSoft)
WirelessKeyView is a lightweight and reliable tool developed by NirSoft which helps you recover all previously saved Wi-Fi passwords on your Windows PC.

Step 1: Go to the Nirsoft website and download WirelessKeyView from there.

Step 2: Extract the .zip file and run the WirelessKeyView.exe program. Simply running the program will show your Wi-Fi profiles and their passwords.
WiFi Password Revealer (by Magical Jelly Bean)

WiFi Password Revealer is a free and easy-to-use tool developed by Magical Jelly Bean that allows users to recover and see saved Wi-Fi passwords on a Windows computer.

How to Delete an Old Wi-Fi Profile in Windows 11

Over time, your Windows 11 stores Wi-Fi networks you’ve connected to including their names and passwords. If you no longer use a specific network, maybe it’s from a previous home, office, or a public hotspot, you can delete (or forget) it to keep your system clean and secure.

Step 1: Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app, then click Network & Internet in the left sidebar and select Wi-Fi on the right side.
Step 2: Under the Wi-Fi section, click Manage known networks to view a list of all saved Wi-Fi networks on your PC.
Step 3: Find the network you want to remove from the list, click on it, then click the Forget button to delete the network profile.
Lost wireless password
When you click on forget a network, your computer deletes the network name (SSID) and its stored password, which means you cannot connect to that Wi-Fi automatically anymore, and you have to enter the password manually if you want to reconnect later.

Final Thought: How to Recover a Lost Wi-Fi Password in Windows 11

Recovering a lost Wi-Fi password in Windows 11 has become easier than ever due to system built-in tools, cloud syncing, and PowerShell enhancements. Whether you’re accessing it through the Control Panel, Command Prompt, or a PowerShell script, you can quickly recover passwords saved on your Windows device—even from years ago.

Still confused or stuck about How to Recover a Lost Wi-Fi Password in Windows 11 ? Leave your questions in the comments or call me at +1– 844-405-0212. I am here to help!

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