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Windows 11 uses “network credentials” to mean more than one thing. If you need the password for a Wi‑Fi network, find it in Settings. If you need the username or password for a shared folder, server, or network drive, check Credential Manager instead.
The correct method depends on what you are trying to connect to. A Wi‑Fi password is not the same as a Windows account password, router administrator password, VPN password, or network-share credential.
Find a saved Wi‑Fi password in Windows 11
Use this method when you want to connect a phone, tablet, another PC, or other device to a wireless network that this Windows 11 PC has used.
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- Select Network & internet.
- Open Properties.
- Find Wi‑Fi network password.
- Select Show.
Windows displays the saved security key for the selected Wi‑Fi network. This is the wireless password you enter when joining that network.
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Find the password for another saved Wi‑Fi network
If the PC is not currently connected to the network, use the saved-network list:
- Open Settings → Network & internet.
- Select Wi‑Fi.
- Select Manage known networks.
- Select the saved Wi‑Fi network.
- Next to Wi‑Fi network password, select Show.
The network must be saved on the PC. Windows cannot display a password for a network that the computer has never joined or stored as a profile.
Get to Wi‑Fi settings from the taskbar
Select the Network, Sound, or Battery icon on the taskbar. In the Wi‑Fi quick-settings panel, select Manage Wi‑Fi connections. This takes you to the wireless settings, where you can open the relevant network details.
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Use Credential Manager for credentials saved for Windows network resources, such as:
- A shared folder on another computer
- A NAS or file server
- A mapped network drive
- A server or application that uses Windows sign-in credentials
- Click the taskbar search box, or press Windows+S.
- Type credential manager.
- Select Credential Manager Control Panel.
- Select Windows Credentials.
- Expand the entry that matches the server, computer, or network resource.
An expanded entry may show the saved username and related information. Depending on the credential type and Windows security restrictions, Credential Manager may not provide a plain-text password-reveal option. Do not confuse an entry’s target name with its password.
Web Credentials versus Windows Credentials
| Section | Used for |
|---|---|
| Web Credentials | Saved website and browser-related sign-ins |
| Windows Credentials | Network shares, servers, connected applications, and other Windows sign-ins |
For a shared folder or network drive, start with Windows Credentials, not Web Credentials. For a Wi‑Fi password, do not start with Credential Manager; use Network & internet settings.
What if “Show” is missing?
Several situations can prevent Windows 11 from displaying a Wi‑Fi password:
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- The network was never saved: connect to it first, or ask the network owner for the password.
- You selected the wrong network: open Manage known networks and choose the exact saved SSID.
- The profile was removed: a network that was previously used is no longer available if its saved profile was deleted.
- The connection is not Wi‑Fi: Ethernet connections do not have a Wi‑Fi network password to display.
- The PC is managed by an organization: company policies may restrict access to wireless profiles or stored credentials.
Windows must have connected to the Wi‑Fi network previously or have its profile saved. If neither is true, the Settings page cannot recover the password from that PC.
Do not use the wireless report to retrieve the password
Windows includes a useful diagnostic command, but it is not a password-recovery command. From Command Prompt started with Run as administrator, you can run:
netsh wlan show wlanreportThis creates an HTML wireless-network report covering Wi‑Fi events from approximately the last three days. Its Profile Output section lists stored wireless profiles, but Microsoft states that security keys and passwords are encrypted and are not displayed there.
In other words, netsh wlan show wlanreport can help diagnose connection failures; it will not reveal your saved Wi‑Fi password. For password retrieval, use the Windows 11 Settings path above.
Which credential do you actually need?
| If you are connecting to… | Look for… |
|---|---|
| A wireless router or access point | Settings → Network & internet → Properties → Wi‑Fi network password |
| A saved but currently disconnected Wi‑Fi network | Wi‑Fi → Manage known networks |
| A shared folder or mapped drive | Credential Manager → Windows Credentials |
| A website | Credential Manager → Web Credentials, where applicable |
| The router’s configuration page | The router administrator username and password, usually provided by the owner or ISP |
| A Microsoft or Windows account | The account password or sign-in method; this is not a Wi‑Fi credential |
Windows 10 note
The Windows 10 procedure is different from the current Windows 11 Settings layout. On Windows 10, open Settings → Network & Internet → Status → Network and Sharing Center. Select the Wi‑Fi name beside Connections, choose Wireless Properties, open the Security tab, and select Show characters. The password appears in Network security key.
That older Network and Sharing Center route should not be treated as the normal Windows 11 procedure. Windows 11 uses Wi‑Fi network password and Show in Settings.
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Are network credentials the same as my Wi‑Fi password?
Not always. A Wi‑Fi password is the security key for a wireless network. Network credentials can also mean the username and password used for a shared folder, server, mapped drive, or connected Windows application.
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- Excellent Anti-interference: The ethernet cable comes with 4 shielded foiled twisted pairs (F/FTP), pure copper core and gold-plated RJ45 connector, reducing interference, noise and crosstalk, making network speed faster and more stable
- Marvelous Durability: Internet cable wrapped with quality cotton braided cord, which makes the LAN cable stronger and more durable. The test proves that this internet cable can be bent at least 10000 times without broken, very suitable for long-term use
- PoE Supported: All lengths of ethernet cord can support the PoE power supply function except 65ft. You don't need additional power supply when installing a PoE camera, which is very convenient and safe
- Wide Compatibility: With the RJ45 Connector, network cable can be perfectly compatible with computers, laptops, modems, routers, PS5, X-Box and other networking devices. It can also be fully backward compatible with Cat7, Cat6e, Cat6, Cat5e, Cat5
Where does Windows 11 store saved Wi‑Fi passwords?
Open Settings → Network & internet → Properties and select Show beside Wi‑Fi network password. For another saved network, open Settings → Network & internet → Wi‑Fi → Manage known networks, select the network, and select Show.
Why can’t I see the Wi‑Fi password in Windows 11?
The network may not have a saved profile, the wrong network may be selected, or the PC may never have connected to it. Windows needs a saved Wi‑Fi profile or a previous connection before it can display the key.
Can Credential Manager show my Wi‑Fi password?
Credential Manager is not the normal Windows 11 location for a saved Wi‑Fi password. Use Network & internet settings for Wi‑Fi. Use Credential Manager → Windows Credentials for saved server, shared-folder, and network sign-in credentials.
Does netsh wlan show wlanreport reveal saved Wi‑Fi passwords?
No. It creates a diagnostic HTML report covering recent wireless events. The report can list profiles, but saved security keys and passwords are not displayed.
How do I find the password for a shared folder?
Search for credential manager, open Credential Manager Control Panel, select Windows Credentials, and expand the entry for the relevant computer, server, or network resource. If the password is not available there, contact the account owner or network administrator.
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For a Wi‑Fi password, use Settings → Network & internet → Properties → Show beside Wi‑Fi network password. For a shared folder, server, or mapped drive, open Credential Manager and check Windows Credentials. The wireless-report command is for troubleshooting and does not display passwords.
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