As we increasingly rely on the internet, wifi has become one of the most commonly used methods of connecting to the internet. However, one of the stumbling blocks of wifi is remembering passwords. Given the sheer number of passwords we have to remember, it is easy to forget the password for our wifi network. Fortunately, if you’ve ever connected to the network before, there is a way to retrieve your wifi password on Windows 10.
Video Tutorial:
What Requires Your Focus?
Before we delve into the different methods of getting your wifi password on Windows 10, it is important to note that there are some requirements. One of the most important of these requirements is that you must have connected to the network before. The other is that you must have administrative privileges on your computer. Without these two requirements, retrieving your wifi password on Windows 10 will not be possible.
Different Methods to Get Your Wifi Password Windows 10
Method 1: Via Command Prompt
This is arguably the easiest method of retrieving your wifi password on Windows 10. It involves making use of the Command Prompt utility on your computer.
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type cmd into the box and press Enter. This will open the Command Prompt.
3. Type the following command: netsh wlan show profile
4. A list of all the wireless networks you’ve connected to will be displayed. Find the network whose password you want to retrieve and note its name.
5. Next, type the following command, replacing * with the name of the network whose password you want to retrieve: netsh wlan show profile * key=clear
6. The wifi password will be displayed under the Security Settings section.
Pros:
– Quick and easy method to get your wifi password.
– No need to download or install any additional software.
Cons:
– Requires some familiarity with using the Command Prompt.
– May not work if you don’t have administrative privileges.
Method 2: Using a Third-Party Software
Another way to retrieve your wifi password on Windows 10 is by using a third-party software. There are several such software available online, one of which is WirelessKeyView.
1. Download and install WirelessKeyView from the NirSoft website.
2. Run the program.
3. A list of all the wireless networks you’ve connected to will be displayed, along with their passwords.
Pros:
– Easy to use, even for those unfamiliar with the Command Prompt.
– Can retrieve passwords for multiple wireless networks at once.
Cons:
– Requires downloading and installing a third-party software.
– May be flagged by antivirus software as potentially harmful.
Method 3: Resetting Your Router
If the previous two methods don’t work, you can try resetting your router to its factory settings. By doing so, you will be able to set a new wifi password that you can remember.
1. Locate the reset button on your router.
2. Press and hold the reset button for 10-15 seconds. This will reset your router to its factory settings.
3. Connect to your router’s wifi network using the default username and password. These can usually be found in the documentation that came with your router.
4. Once you’ve connected to your wifi network, navigate to your router’s settings page using a web browser.
5. Set a new wifi password that you can remember.
Pros:
– Guaranteed to work.
– Can set a new wifi password that you can remember.
Cons:
– Resets all the settings on your router, not just the wifi password.
– May require reconfiguring your router’s settings.
Why Can’t I Get My Wifi Password on Windows 10?
There are several reasons for why you might not be able to retrieve your wifi password on Windows 10. Here are a few:
1. You don’t have administrative privileges on your computer.
Fix: Log in with an account that has administrative privileges.
2. You’ve never connected to the network before.
Fix: Connect to the network at least once before attempting to retrieve the password.
3. The network administrator has set a password policy that prevents showing the password in plain text.
Fix: Reset the router to its factory settings and create a new wifi password.
Implications and Recommendations
Knowing how to retrieve your wifi password on Windows 10 can come in handy in several situations, such as if you’ve forgotten your password or need to connect a new device to your wifi network. When retrieving your wifi password, it is important to keep in mind the security implications of doing so, as you are effectively giving someone access to your network. As such, it is recommended that you change your password regularly and use a strong password that is hard to guess.
5 FAQs about How to Get Your Wifi Password Windows 10
Q1. Can I retrieve my wifi password if I don’t have administrative privileges?
A1. No, you must have administrative privileges on your computer to retrieve your wifi password.
Q2. Can I retrieve the wifi password for a network I’ve never connected to?
A2. No, you must have connected to the network before to retrieve the wifi password.
Q3. Can I retrieve the wifi password using the Windows Settings app?
A3. No, the Windows Settings app does not provide a way to retrieve your wifi password.
Q4. What’s a strong wifi password?
A4. A strong wifi password is one that is at least 8 characters long, contains a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters, and is not easily guessable.
Q5. Should I change my wifi password regularly?
A5. Yes, changing your wifi password regularly adds an extra layer of security and reduces the risk of someone accessing your network without your permission.
In Conclusion
Retrieving your wifi password on Windows 10 is easy, as long as you have administrative privileges and have connected to the network before. You can retrieve your wifi password using the Command Prompt, a third-party software, or by resetting your router to its factory settings. It is important to keep the security implications in mind when retrieving your wifi password and to use a strong password that is hard to guess.