How to Find Passwords on This PC

Introduction

Every day, you enter passwords to log into websites, connect to Wi‑Fi networks, or access applications on your Windows PC. Over time, many of these credentials are saved locally so you do not have to type them repeatedly. But what happens when you forget a password or need to move it to another device? Fortunately, Windows and common browsers offer several legitimate ways to view saved passwords directly on your computer. This article provides a complete guide on how to find passwords on this PC using built‑in tools, including the Chrome and Firefox browsers, Microsoft Credential Manager, the Windows Terminal, and even the Registry. Each method requires your own account authentication to prevent unauthorized access, ensuring that you only retrieve your personal data.

Using Chrome’s Built‑In Password Manager

If you use Google Chrome as your main browser, all saved passwords are stored in an encrypted format. To view them, open Chrome and navigate to Settings > Autofill and passwords > Google Password Manager. Alternatively, you can type chrome://settings/passwords directly into the address bar. Once there, click the eye icon next to any saved entry. Chrome will ask you to verify your identity with your Windows login PIN or password. After authentication, the password is revealed in plain text. This same manager also syncs across all devices where you are signed into your Google account. For a complete overview of every password tied to that account, you can visit Google Password Manager online. The online portal gives you a similar interface and allows you to export your passwords if needed. Remember to always keep your Google account secure with two‑factor authentication.

Using Firefox’s Password Manager

Mozilla Firefox also keeps a local database of saved logins. To access it, open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top‑right corner. Go to Options > Privacy & Security. Scroll down to the Logins and Passwords section and click Saved Logins. Firefox will display a list of all websites and usernames for which you have stored credentials. To see a password, select an entry and click Show Password. As with Chrome, Firefox prompts you to enter your system login password before revealing the text. This extra step protects your saved passwords from anyone else sitting at your computer. Firefox also includes a Generate option and a Master Password feature, which you can enable for even stronger protection. If you ever need to transfer your logins to another device, you can export them as a CSV file from the same menu.

Using Microsoft Credential Manager

Windows itself stores many passwords outside of browsers. These include credentials for network shares, remote desktop connections, and even some applications. The tool for managing them is called Credential Manager. To open it, go to Control Panel > User Accounts > Credential Manager. You will see two categories: Web Credentials and Windows Credentials. Web Credentials contain passwords saved by browsers that integrate with Windows (such as Edge) and passwords for websites visited through Internet Explorer mode. Windows Credentials contain network passwords, mapped drive credentials, and login details for domain accounts. Click any entry to expand it, then click Show to view the password. Like browsers, Credential Manager requires your Windows login password or PIN before displaying the text. This method is especially useful if you need to recover a password for a shared folder or a remote desktop connection that you no longer remember.

Using Windows Terminal to View Saved Wi‑Fi Passwords

Your PC also stores the passwords for every Wi‑Fi network it has connected to. To view them, you can use a simple command in the Windows Terminal (run as Administrator). Open the Start menu, type Terminal, right‑click, and choose Run as administrator. Then execute the following command: rundll32.exe keymgr.dll,KRShowKeyMgr. This opens the Stored User Names and Passwords dialog, where you can see a list of saved credentials, including Wi‑Fi network names (SSIDs) and their corresponding passwords. For each Wi‑Fi network, you can also use the command netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clear (replacing “NetworkName” with the actual SSID). The output will display a Key Content field with the plain‑text password. The command‑line approach works on all modern Windows versions and is a quick way to recover a wireless password without having to reset your router.

Advanced Method: Windows Registry

For advanced users, some system‑related passwords (such as autologon credentials) are stored in the Windows Registry. This method should be used with caution because editing the Registry incorrectly can break your system. To view the default password used for automatic logon, open the Registry Editor (regedit) and navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon. Look for a value named DefaultPassword. If it exists, double‑click it to see the password in the Value data field. This setting is only present if you have configured Windows to log in automatically. Most users will not find a DefaultPassword value, but it is one place where passwords can be stored. For other Registry‑stored credentials, you may need to look in application‑specific keys, such as those belonging to remote desktop clients or FTP programs. Always back up the Registry before making any changes, and only use this method on your own computer.

Using Google Password Manager Online

Because many people use Google services across multiple devices, Google offers a centralised password manager accessible from any browser. Simply go to passwords.google.com and sign in with your Google account. You will see a list of all passwords saved through Chrome and Android devices. Click any entry to view the username and password. The online manager also allows you to check for compromised passwords, generate strong new ones, and export your data. This is a convenient way to access your passwords even when you are not at your main PC, but it relies on the security of your Google account. Enable two‑factor authentication and avoid using public computers when loading this page. The online manager syncs in real time with Chrome, so any change you make on the website is reflected in your browser instantly.

Important Considerations When Retrieving Saved Passwords

While the methods above are legitimate and built into your operating system and browsers, you should always observe a few best practices:

• Only retrieve passwords on your personal, trusted device. Never attempt to view credentials on a shared or public computer.
• Ensure you are the sole user of the Windows account. If other people have access to your PC, they could also use these methods unless you set a strong Windows login password.
• Use a dedicated password manager (such as Bitwarden or 1Password) to store all your credentials securely instead of relying on many separate storage locations.
• Regularly review the saved passwords list. Delete entries for old or unused websites to reduce your attack surface.
• Enable two‑factor authentication on your Google account and Microsoft account for an extra layer of security.
• When using the Windows Terminal or Registry, be careful not to modify any settings unless you fully understand the impact.

Comparison of Methods

The following table summarises the main approaches, where they are used, and what authentication is required.

References

The information in this article is based on official support documentation and trusted technology sites:

Google Chrome Support: How to view saved passwords in Chrome – support.google.com/chrome
Microsoft Support: Manage/view your passwords in Microsoft Password Manager – support.microsoft.com
Mozilla Firefox Help: View and edit saved passwords in Firefox – support.mozilla.org
Mediatechnesia: How to find and view saved passwords on Windows 11 – mediatechnesia.com
Google Password Manager – passwords.google.com