Have you experienced a situation where yous have to add a calculator to your wireless network and yous tin't notice the network security primal? Windows vii, like previous versions of Windows, remembers (with your permission) the network security key when y'all first connect to a secured wireless (Wi-Fi) network protected by WEP, WPA, or WPA2. This allows Windows to automatically sign in to the Wi-Fi network when it starts up.

To use this procedure to recover your network security key, you must have a computer already connected to your Wi-Fi network. Windows 7, unlike previous versions of Windows, allows a fairly easy mode to view your network security cardinal on the screen in manifestly text.

NOTE: Considering the network security key will exist displayed in plain text, be very conscientious when and where you use this procedure. Make sure no one is around peering over your shoulder or glancing at your screen.

View Wireless Network Key

To begin, select Control Panel on the Kickoff carte.

01_opening_control_panel

If yous have selected Category as the Control Console view, click Network and Internet.

02_clicking_network_and_internet

On the Network and Internet window, click Network and Sharing Center.

03_clicking_network_and_sharing_center

If y'all take selected Small icons (or Large icons) as the Control Panel view, all available items on the Control Panel are available. Click Network and Sharing Eye.

04_network_and_sharing_center_small_icons

On the Network and Sharing Center, click the Manage wireless networks link in the left pane.

05_clicking_manage_wireless_networks

Your wireless networks are listed on the Manage wireless networks that use window. Correct-click on the wireless network for which you want to view the network security key and select Backdrop from the popup menu.

06_getting_properties_of_network_connection_orig

The Wireless Network Properties dialog box displays for the chosen network. Past default, the cardinal in the Network security central edit box is displayed equally dots rather than plain text. To view your network security key, select the Show characters check box so there is a check marker in the box.

Note: To protect the security of your network, equally before long as you accept your security key, select the Show characters check box once more so there is no check mark in the box and your security primal is displayed as dots again.

Click OK to close the dialog box.

07_clicking_show_characters_orig

Again, be very conscientious where you lot view your network security key in plain text to preserve the security of your network. Only use this procedure if you lot actually need to. If yous are using Windows eight or Windows 10, the procedure is a little different. Read my postal service on how to view your saved WiFi countersign in Windows ten. Savor!