How to find the WiFi password in Windows 8.1

whenever you can’t connect to a WiFi network that previously worked, a good start is to tell Windows to forget the WiFi connection (right-click the connection). Unfortunately, this means Windows will also forget the password. Thus, you will find yourself again bothering the person who is managing the WiFi password.

In Windows 8, you could just click the WiFi icon on the systray and right-click the WiFi connection to access the View connection properties dialog. For some reason, Microsoft removed this feature in Windows 8.1.

View connection properties option: no longer available in Windows 8.1

However, in Windows 8.1, two other ways exist to access the WiFi password. You’ll find one way in the Network and Sharing Center for your current connection, and you can also use the netsh command to view the connection properties of previous WiFi connections.

1. Right-click the WiFi symbol in the systray and select Open Network and Sharing Center.
   
2. Click Change adapter settings.
   
3. Right-click the WiFi adapter. In the context menu, navigate to Status.
   
4. In the WiFi Status dialog, click Wireless Properties.
   
5. Click the Security tab and then check Show characters.
   

You now see the WiFi password of your current connection. Doing so takes a few more clicks than in Windows 8, but you won’t have to do this often.