If you are looking for passwords saved on a Windows 11 computer, the right place depends on the type of password. Windows Credential Manager stores credentials used by Windows, apps, websites, and network resources, while browsers such as Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome have their own password managers. Wi-Fi passwords are available through Windows network settings. There is not one screen that reveals every password on your PC.
Where Are Saved Passwords Stored in Windows 11?
Before opening Credential Manager, identify the kind of password you need. This saves time because modern browsers and Windows do not keep every credential in the same place.
- Windows, app, server, shared-folder, or network credentials: Check Credential Manager.
- Passwords saved in Microsoft Edge: Check Microsoft Password Manager in Edge.
- Passwords saved in Google Chrome: Check Google Password Manager in Chrome.
- Wi-Fi passwords: Check the Wi-Fi network’s properties in Windows Settings.
- Your Windows or Microsoft account password: Windows does not provide a normal screen that reveals your current account password. If you have forgotten it, use the appropriate password-reset or account-recovery process.
- Windows Hello PIN: Your PIN is different from your Microsoft account password. You can change or reset it from Windows sign-in settings, but Windows does not display the existing PIN.
How to Find Saved Credentials in Windows 11
Use Credential Manager when you are looking for credentials Windows has saved for connected apps, websites, network shares, servers, and other resources.
Step 1: Search for Credential Manager
Click the Search box or Search icon on the taskbar, type Credential Manager, and select Credential Manager from the results.
You do not need to go through Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options first. Searching for Credential Manager takes you directly to the correct Windows tool.
Step 2: Choose Web Credentials or Windows Credentials
Select Web Credentials or Windows Credentials, depending on what you are trying to find.
Windows Credentials is especially useful for saved sign-in information associated with Windows resources, applications, network shares, servers, and similar connections. Web Credentials can contain web-related credentials stored through Windows, but you should not assume that it contains every password saved by a modern browser.
Step 3: Expand the Credential
Find the entry you want and select it to expand its details. What Windows lets you view or change depends on the type of credential. Some entries expose management options rather than a readable password.
If the password you need is not listed, check the application or browser that originally saved it. For website passwords, that is often Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or another password manager rather than Credential Manager.
How to Find Passwords Saved in Microsoft Edge
Passwords that you saved while browsing in Microsoft Edge are managed through Microsoft Password Manager.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge Settings
Open Microsoft Edge, select the three-dot Settings and more button in the upper-right corner, and choose Settings.
Step 2: Open Microsoft Password Manager
Select Passwords and autofill, then select Microsoft Password Manager.
Step 3: Select the Saved Login
Find the website or account you need and select the arrow beside it. Select the eye icon to view the stored password. Edge may require you to verify your identity with your device PIN, password, Windows Hello, or another supported device sign-in method.
If you use Edge sync with a personal Microsoft account, saved passwords can also be available on other devices where you use the same Edge profile.
How to Find Passwords Saved in Google Chrome
Chrome normally manages its saved website passwords through Google Password Manager rather than Windows Credential Manager.
Step 1: Open Google Password Manager
Open Chrome, select the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner, choose Passwords and autofill, and then select Google Password Manager.
Step 2: Choose a Saved Password
Under Passwords, select the website or account whose saved login information you want to inspect.
Step 3: View the Password
Use the password-view option for the selected entry. Chrome may ask you to authenticate before it reveals the password.
If you are signed in to Chrome and password sync is enabled, some saved passwords may be associated with your Google Account and available on your other signed-in devices as well.
How to Find a Saved Wi-Fi Password in Windows 11
Windows 11 provides a separate way to view passwords for Wi-Fi networks that your computer knows.
Step 1: Open Wi-Fi Settings
Open Settings, select Network & internet, and open the properties for your Wi-Fi connection.
Step 2: Show the Wi-Fi Password
Find Wi-Fi network password and select Show. Windows can display the password and may also provide a QR code that another device can scan to join the network.
Step 3: Check a Previously Saved Network if Necessary
For another network your PC has previously joined, go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks, select the network, and use Show next to its Wi-Fi network password when that option is available.
What About Passkeys?
A passkey is not a password that Windows can simply reveal as text. If you use passkeys, manage them through the service that stores them. Windows can also provide passkey management under Settings > Accounts > Passkeys, while browser password managers and other credential providers can store passkeys of their own.
Why Can’t I Find the Password I’m Looking For?
If a password is missing from Credential Manager, that does not necessarily mean it was never saved. The most common reason is that you are looking in the wrong password store.
- Website login missing: Check the password manager in the browser you normally use.
- Network or server login missing: Check Windows Credentials in Credential Manager.
- Wi-Fi password missing: Check Windows Wi-Fi settings instead of Credential Manager.
- Password manager user: Open the third-party password manager where you saved the login.
- Password was never saved: You may need to reset the password through the website, app, network administrator, or account provider.
Can You See Your Windows 11 Login Password?
Do not confuse a saved website or network credential with the password you use to sign in to Windows. Windows does not provide a normal option that simply displays your current Microsoft account or local account password. If you have forgotten that password, use Microsoft’s account-recovery process or the appropriate Windows password-reset method instead.
The same distinction applies to a Windows Hello PIN. The PIN helps authenticate you on that device, but it is not your Microsoft account password and is managed separately.
Tips for Managing Saved Passwords Safely
- Only reveal a saved password when other people cannot see your screen.
- Use unique passwords for important accounts instead of reusing the same password.
- Enable multifactor authentication or passkeys on accounts that support them.
- Keep your Windows sign-in protected because your device authentication may be required to reveal browser passwords.
- Be careful when exporting browser passwords. An exported CSV can contain readable passwords and should not be left sitting on the computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Windows 11 have a list of all passwords saved on my computer?
No. Credentials can be split among Windows Credential Manager, browser password managers, Wi-Fi settings, third-party password managers, and other credential providers. Start with the location associated with the type of password you need.
Does Credential Manager show my Chrome passwords?
You should use Google Password Manager for passwords saved by Chrome. Do not rely on Credential Manager as a complete list of Chrome logins.
Where are Microsoft Edge passwords stored?
Passwords saved through Edge are managed with Microsoft Password Manager. In Edge, open Settings, select Passwords and autofill, and then open Microsoft Password Manager.
Can I view my saved Wi-Fi password?
Yes. Windows 11 can show the password for your current Wi-Fi connection from its network properties, and it can also show passwords for saved networks through Manage known networks on supported current versions of Windows 11.
Why does Windows ask for my PIN before showing a saved password?
Password managers can require device authentication before revealing sensitive credentials. Depending on your configuration, that verification can use a Windows Hello PIN, device password, biometric sign-in, or another supported method.
Summary
To find passwords saved on a Windows 11 computer, first determine what kind of password you need. Search for Credential Manager for Windows, app, and network credentials. Use Microsoft Password Manager for Edge passwords and Google Password Manager for Chrome passwords. For Wi-Fi passwords, open the network’s properties in Windows Settings and select Show. Keeping these password stores separate makes it much easier to find the credential you actually need.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.