La key WIFI It is one of those data that we must keep safe if we do not want illegitimate intrusions into our network. However, passwords can be so complicated that we may forget them ourselves.
If you are working with your computer and you need to know what the connection password is to the router, we are going to explain how you can find out without having to start looking for where you wrote down the password at the time.
Why is the WiFi key so important?
The set of figures, letters and symbols that make up the access code to our router, has great importance:
- Improve security. It is responsible for protecting the network from unauthorized access. Without it, anyone could connect to the router and compromise your security, because it would not be difficult for them to access your personal information. This is why experts recommend that we do not connect to public WiFi networks.
- Access control. Through the password you can control who can connect to the network and who cannot.
- Avoid interference. In blocks of flats where there are multiple routers, the WiFi password prevents interference and conflicts between different networks.
- Bandwidth. If the network is open, there is greater consumption of bandwidth, which slows down the Internet connection. Therefore, the key guarantees that you will enjoy better service.
How to access the WiFi key that Windows 11 saves
If you have a computer that you have connected to your WiFi at some point, that password has been stored immediately, and is still on your computer, what happens is that you may not know how to get to it.
In fact, if it is a laptop and you have connected it to different Wi-Fi networks, you will be able to access the keys of all those networks that you used at a certain time. And the good thing is that you can do it directly from your device, without having to install any third-party applications.
WiFi key to which you are connected
With these steps that we are going to see, you can know what the password is for the router to which your computer is currently connected.
Start by accessing Windows settings and then click on “Network and Internet”, is an option that you will see in the column that appears on the left of the screen. In the menu that appears then choose “Advanced network settings”.
On the new screen you access you can see data about your connections, but the Wifi key is not yet shown here. To see it click on the option “More network adapter options”. This opens a window in which you will see different alternatives, and in which you have to click with the right mouse button on "Wifi", then choosing the “Status” option from the context menu.
In the window “Wi-Fi Status” you can see the connection data and, if you click on “Wireless properties button” You access the data of the WiFi network you are on. Now go to "Security" and click on “Show characters” (it will ask you for the Windows administrator password), and you will see your WiFi password.
It seems like a lot of steps, but it's not complicated. Here we summarize it:
- Access Windows 11 settings.
- Network and Internet.
- Advanced network settings.
- More network adapter options.
- Right click on “WiFi”.
- WiFi status.
- Wireless properties button.
- Security.
- Show characters.
WiFi keys from other networks
As we said before, Windows 11 stores all the keys of the routers to which you have connected, and you can review this information.
In this case you have to open the Windows Terminal application, which is responsible for unifying the command prompt with PowerShell. Next you have to type some commands to access the saved WiFi passwords.
On the line that indicates “PS C:\Users\(username)>” write below netsh wlan show profile
It should look like this: PS C:\Users\(username)> netsh wlan show profile
This will display a list of all the WiFi networks that you have saved on your computer. To see the key of any of them write the command “netsh wlan show profile name =(name of the Wi-Fi network whose password you are interested in) key=clear”.
It would look like this: PS C:\Users\(user name)> netsh wlan show profile name=XXX key=clear
Below you will see a set of data about that WiFi network. In the section that indicates “Key content” is where you can see the WiFi key.
Tricks to improve the security of your network
Now that you know how access your WiFi key from your computer, Perhaps you have realized that this is not as safe as it should be, or that you have been applying it for a long time. In both cases, it is advisable that you value making a change.
To improve the security of your network, keep these tips in mind:
Use a strong key
Create a complex password that combines uppercase letters and lowercase with numbers and special characters. Try not to use personal information that is easily deduced, such as your date of birth or the name of your pet.
Change your password periodically
Do not leave the router with the password that comes by default. ANDIt is recommended that you renew it every three months. This way, if you have someone connected, that access will be cut off sooner or later.
Enable WPA2 or WPA3 encryption
These security protocols are more difficult to implement. violate older standards such as WEP.
Hide network name
Hiding the SSID does not give you complete security, but it does make it difficult to access your WiFi network by users not authorized to do so.
Filter MAC addresses
You can configure your router to only allow the connection of devices whose MAC addresses (code that individually identifies devices connected to the Internet) are on a white list.
This security measure is rarely used, but it is very effective. Because it helps restrict which devices can connect and which cannot. If a device that It is not part of the white list, it tries to connect to your network, you will not be able to do it even if you have the access code.
You already know how to access your WiFi key and you know some useful tricks to give more security to your home or business network, so don't hesitate to take advantage of this information.