How to Manage Wi-Fi and View Passwords in Windows 11

Managing your saved Wi-Fi connections and retrieving forgotten passwords in Windows 11 is a straightforward process. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions on how to view saved Wi-Fi network security keys, remove old networks, and adjust connection settings using both the Windows Settings app and the Command Prompt.

How to View Saved Wi-Fi Passwords

Method 1: Using Windows Settings

  1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
  2. Select Network & internet from the left sidebar.
  3. Click on Wi-Fi, then select Manage known networks.
  4. Click on the Wi-Fi network whose password you want to view.
  5. Locate the Wi-Fi security key section and click the View button next to the hidden password.

Method 2: Using the Command Prompt

  1. Press the Windows Key, type cmd, and select Run as administrator.

  2. To see all saved networks, enter the following command and press Enter:

    netsh wlan show profiles

  3. To view the password for a specific network, enter:

    netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clear

    (Replace "NetworkName" with the actual name of your Wi-Fi network).

  4. Look under the Security settings section next to Key Content to find the plain-text password.

How to Manage Saved Wi-Fi Networks

Windows 11 allows you to forget unused networks and modify connection preferences from the Settings menu.

Forget a Saved Network

  1. Navigate to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks.
  2. Find the network you wish to remove from the list.
  3. Click the Forget button next to the network name. Windows will permanently delete the network configuration and saved password.

Modify Network Connection Properties

  1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks.
  2. Select the specific network to access its properties.
  3. You can configure the following options:
    • Connect automatically when in range: Toggle on or off depending on whether you want Windows to connect to the network without prompting.
    • Network profile type: Choose between Public (recommended for public hotspots) and Private (for trusted home or work networks to allow device discovery).
    • Metered connection: Enable this option to limit background data usage when connected to bandwidth-capped networks.