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List saved Wi-Fi profiles with netsh wlan

Enumerate every wireless network Windows remembers, inspect a profile's settings, and export profiles for backup or transfer to another PC.

WindowsnetworkWi-FisecurityMedium risk
Run `netsh wlan show profiles` to list saved networks, then `netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clear` to see that network's settings and stored password.

01Command

Command
$ netsh wlan show profiles

02What it does

Profiles are per-user or all-user; `netsh wlan show profiles` shows which list each belongs to. Drill into one profile to see authentication type, whether it connects automatically, and — with key=clear — the plaintext pre-shared key, which is handy when a colleague needs the office Wi-Fi. Back up profiles to XML with `netsh wlan export profile name="NetworkName" folder=C:\wlan key=clear` and restore on another machine with `netsh wlan add profile filename=C:\wlan\NetworkName.xml`. Remove stale networks with `netsh wlan delete profile name="NetworkName"`.

03Risk

RiskMedium risk
RequirementsNo elevation needed to list profiles; viewing a stored key may require an administrator prompt on some setups.
!Warning: key=clear exposes the Wi-Fi password in plaintext on screen — never run it on a shared machine while others can see the display, and avoid the exported XML ending up in cloud-synced folders.

04Undo

Undo
$ netsh wlan delete profile name="ProfileName"

05Sources

  • Netsh contexts and commands | Microsoft Learn
    Microsoft · vendor-doc · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Microsoft documents the netsh wlan context with commands to show profiles, delete profiles, and display stored WLAN settings.
  • Netsh - Network Shell - Windows CMD
    SS64 · technical · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: SS64 lists netsh wlan commands including 'show profiles' and 'show profile name=... key=clear' for revealing saved Wi-Fi keys.

Last verified: 2026-09-17 · Category: Network

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