In today’s world, a good internet connection must be emphasized. However, a Wi-Fi or router is the backbone of a good connection. A good network connection is needed in homes, offices, and even educational institutions to carry out tasks. With the importance of a good connection and Wi-Fi, this article will discuss ways to find and access passwords.
Wi-Fi passwords are synonymous with the magic words that open a magic door. The password is required to access the internet connection provided by the Wi-Fi device. Under normal circumstances, the Wi-Fi owner is supposed to have access to the passwords, but what happens when they misplace it or need to share it with someone else? Therefore, Windows users must know how to find their Wi-Fi passwords in their system.
How to Find Wi-Fi Password on Windows Systems
Windows systems are endowed with one quality: the ability to tackle one issue using several methods. There are different ways to find Wi-Fi passwords. Below are four primary reasons to find your password on a Windows system.
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Command Prompts
The command prompt is a powerful command-line interface available on all Windows operating systems. Although the command prompt has an old-looking interface, it is one of the most valuable tools for carrying out administrative tasks using various systems commands. The command prompts allow you to interact directly with the underlying systems components responsible for managing network connections. It is an efficient method that will enable you to easily access network information, including saved Wi-Fi profiles and passwords. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use the command prompt.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Use Command Prompts to Find a Password
- Press the Windows key on the keyboard to open the start menu.
- In the search bar, type ‘cmd.’
- In the search results, you will locate the command prompt option.
- Right-click on the Command prompt option
- Select run as administrator to access the command prompt with administrative privileges.
- To show a list of network names, type the following command:
Netsh wlan show profile
- After typing in the command, select the Wi-Fi you wish to know details of.
- After clicking on the desired Wi-Fi, the details of the Wi-Fi will be revealed.
- The details will include Profile information, connectivity settings, security settings, cost settings, and critical context.
- Click on the critical context, and the password will appear next.
- The command prompt method is one of the most accessible ways to retrieve forgotten Wi-Fi passwords.
Using Network and Sharing Center
The network and sharing center is a centralized hub for managing network connections and settings in the Windows operating system. This center can easily be accessible through the control panel or the system tray. Like the command prompts, the network and sharing centers can be used to tackle network issues and access information about a particular network. However, in contrast to the command prompt method, the network and sharing center have a user-friendly design and interface. It is also easy to use and navigate. Below are the simple steps to get a Wi-Fi password using the network and sharing center.
Step-by-Step Method on How to Get a Wi-Fi Password Using the Network and Sharing Center
- Click on the start menu.
- Search for the control panel in the search bar.
- In the control panel window, look for the network and internet category.
- Click on the network and internet options.
- Click on the Network and Sharing Center option to have access to it.
- Go to the Change your Settings category.
- A list of network connections will be displayed.
- Find the Wi-Fi network whose password is to be retrieved.
- Right-click on the Wi-Fi name and select properties.
- In the property window, locate the security tab. This tab will contain security-related information.
- Select the password option.
- While this method seems long, it is swift and does not require you to have advanced computer knowledge. It is suitable and can be used by anybody.
Powershell
One big truth is that Microsoft designed a tool that can help individuals access passwords of Wi-Fi networks. This tool is a powerful scripting language and command shell called Powershell. Powershell was designed to help Windows users efficiently interact and control different aspects of Windows. One such aspect is navigating the network settings and getting detailed information when needed.
Although Powershell is similar to the command prompts, it has its unique feature. Owershell can access and manipulate system resources through a series of commands called cmdlets. The cmdlets command helps to perform a wide range of tasks, including getting the passwords to Wi-Fi.
Step-by-step Process of Using Powershell
- Click on the start menu.
- In the search bar, search for Powershell.
- Right-click on the Powershell in the result panel.
- Select run as administrator.
- Type in the proper command using the cmdlets to access the list of Wi-Fi networks that have been connected to the device
netsh wlan show profile name=”WiFi_SSID” key=clear
- Select the name of your Wi-Fi and extract the password from it.
- The extraction process will require another command.
- After inserting the command, all the necessary details about the Wi-Fi network, including the password, will be displayed.
Advantages of Knowing How to Retrieve Your Password from a Window System
Most people might ask who goes through this stress to retrieve your Wi-Fi password. While this might seem absurd, it is essential to know that there are several reasons why you should always always know your password. And when you can’t remember the password, you can quickly get it back. Below is the importance of knowing your Wi-Fi password
- It allows you to easily set up a new device by quickly adding it to the network using the password.
- It is convenient for guests to connect and use the internet connection easily.
- Knowing the password of your router allows you to troubleshoot when your network has issues quickly.
- You can quickly secure your network by knowing the password and changing it to another password.
Conclusion
Knowing the password of your Wi-Fi is essential; however, what is more important is that you should not share this password with unauthorized persons and those you do not trust. When you forget or misplace the password, you can easily retrieve it from any of the three methods above.
