Have you ever needed to connect a new device, like a phone or tablet, to your Wi-Fi but couldn’t quite remember that long, complicated password? You’re not alone. We often type these passwords once on our laptop and then trust it to handle the rest, leaving us in a bind when we need it again. The good news is that your laptop has likely saved that password for you, and with a few simple steps, you can easily find it.
Finding Your Current Wi-Fi Password on Windows
If your Windows laptop is currently connected to the Wi-Fi network, retrieving the password is straightforward. First, right-click on the network icon in your system tray and select Network and Internet settings. From there, click on Advanced network settings and then More network adapter options. This opens a window showing your network connections. Right-click on your active Wi-Fi connection and choose Status. In the new window, click the Wireless Properties button, then navigate to the Security tab. Here, you will see the network security key. Check the box that says Show characters, and your Wi-Fi password will be revealed.
Using Windows Settings to See Saved Passwords
For networks you’ve connected to in the past, Windows provides another method. Open the Settings menu and go to Network & Internet. Select Wi-Fi and then click on Manage known networks. Choose any network from the list and click Properties. Next to the Network security key field, you will find a Show button. Clicking this will display the password for that specific saved network, allowing you to reconnect other devices or share it with a guest.
Locating Saved Wi-Fi Passwords on a Mac
For Mac users, the process is just as simple thanks to the Keychain Access app. You can find this app by using Spotlight search or looking in your Applications folder under Utilities. Once Keychain Access is open, select System from the list on the left. Then, in the search bar in the top-right corner, type the name of the Wi-Fi network you need the password for. Double-click on the network name in the list that appears. This will open a new window. Check the box at the bottom that says Show password. The system will likely ask you to confirm your administrator username and password for security reasons. After you enter them, your Wi-Fi password will be visible.
Knowing how to find your saved Wi-Fi passwords is a simple but incredibly useful skill. It saves you the hassle of resetting your router and reconnecting all your devices. With these methods for both Windows and Mac, you can quickly find that elusive password and get any new gadget online in no time.
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