How to Share Wi-Fi Network Connections in Windows 11

When someone asks you to share your PC’s Wi-Fi connection, what do you do? You can hand them the Wi-Fi password so they connect their device directly to the network. Or, you could share your PC’s internet using the Windows “Mobile hotspot” feature that converts your computer into a makeshift router.

If you don’t remember the network’s security key, we’ll show you how tofind saved Wi-Fi passwords in Windows. This tutorial also covers steps to set up and usemobile hotspotto share your computer’s internet.

View Wi-Fi Password via Control Panel

The Windows Control Panel offers an easy and non-technical approach to checking the security details of your network connections. You can open the Control Panel settings app through Windows Search or Windows Settings. We’ll show you how to do both.

A quicker alternative is to right-click the Start menu or pressWindows key+Xand selectNetwork Connections.

See Wi-Fi Password in Windows Powershell

You can view Wi-Fi passwords in Windows 10 and 11 by running specific Powershell commands.

View Wi-Fi Password in Command Prompt

Run the commands below to view Wi-Fi network passwords in Windows 11 usingCommand Prompt.

Command Prompt will display allsaved Wi-Fi networks on your computer. Go through the profiles and note the WI-Fi network whose password you want to check.

If the network’s profile name is “ABC Wi-Fi,” the command should look like this:netsh wlan show profile name=ABC Wi-Fi key=clear. Network names are case-sensitive, so ensure you enter the profile name as it appears in step #2.

Use Third-Party Software

Viewing Wi-Fi passwords via Control Panel, Command Prompt, or WIndows Terminal can be stressful. They involve a lot of steps and commands that you most likely will forget.

WirelessKeyView is a popular app that provides a one-click solution for checking Wi-Fi network passwords in Windows. The app is free, easy to use, safe, and void of complex steps or commands.

Visit thedeveloper’s websiteand download either the 32-bit or 64-bit version of the software. Don’t know which version to download? Refer to this tutorial on checkingwhether you have a 32-bit or 64-bit Windows PC. Take note of the “Zip File Password” on the download page. You’ll need the password to unlock/unzip the installation file on your computer.

Install the WirelessKeyView software and launch the app. You’ll find information about all previously-used Wi-Fi networks on the app’s dashboard. Network passwords are in theKey (Ascii)row.

Select a network and pressF8to copy its password quickly. Alternatively, right-click the network and selectCopy Key (Ascii).

Share Wi-Fi Connection via Hotspot

Windows 10 and 11 have a “Mobile hotspot” functionality that lets you share your computer’s internet over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Add Mobile hotspot to the Windows Action Center to share your internet without going through the Settings app.

PressWindows key+Ato open the Windows 11 Action Center and select the pen icon in the bottom-right corner. SelectAdd, chooseMobile hotspot, and selectDone.

You should now be able to enable and disable mobile hotspot from the Action Center. To open the Mobile hotspot settings, right-click onMobile hotspotand selectGo to Settings.

Retrieve Wi-Fi Passwords and Share Your Internet

Some private network administrators frown against unauthorized Wi-Fi usage or password distribution. Before sharing a wireless network’s password, ensure you have permission to do so. If you’re having issues using mobile hotspot, disable VPN and firewall connections on your PC, and try again. Restart your computer if the problem persists. Likewise, ensure your device’s operating system is up-to-date.

Sodiq has written thousands of tutorials, guides, and explainers over the past 4 years to help people solve problems with Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows devices. He also enjoys reviewing consumer tech products (smartphones, smart home devices, accessories, etc.) and binge-watching comedy series in his spare time.Read Sodiq’s Full Bio

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