Any user who knows that it is a WiFi network can see the password from the properties window. This could affect your security as the key is leaked. Therefore, if you want to protect and prevent your WiFi from being stolen, we recommend reading this tutorial in which you will learn the steps to follow to hide it on your computer.
Index( )
- Where is the WiFi password displayed in Windows 10?
- How to remove the option to show characters in the WiFi key?
- Warning to create a system restore point
- Enter the Windows registry
- Locate the registry key
- Back up the key to be able to revert if desired
- Change permissions and delete the registry key
Where is the WiFi password displayed in Windows 10?
The system provides a section in order to store the password to access the WiFi network. In this way, when the PC detects this wireless connection, it can connect automatically. So, saving the password is an advantage because it facilitates a fast use of the internet. This represents a risk, since other users will be able to see your key.
If you want to see the password that has been saved in the system, open the control panel and click on ‘Network and Internet’. Then select the ‘Network Connections’. Right-click on ‘WiFi Network Adapter’ and choose ‘Status’. Then you will see a new window where you should press the ‘Wireless network properties’ button.
Then two tabs ‘Connection’ and ‘Security’ will be displayed. Click on the latter and check the ‘View characters’ box. Your password will immediately appear in the text box labeled ‘network security key’. You can also see the type of protection and encryption from this section.
How to remove the option to show characters in the WiFi key?
It is possible to carry out this operation not without first making a backup of your computer or creating a restore point. Thus, it will be possible to reverse the variations if you do not get the expected results or if there is an error. Afterwards, it is essential to change the Windows registry, back up the key and modify the permissions before removing this mode.
Warning to create a system restore point
This process facilitates a resolution of problems that arise when making changes to sensitive PC software . For this reason, Windows provides the alternative of backing up the current state of the computer, which is automatically stored, or following recovery options .
If you want to do this step, access the control panel from the start menu and click on ‘System and Security’. Then, press ‘System’ and choose the ‘Advanced settings’ option which is located on the left side area of the window . Choose the ‘System Protection’ tab, press the ‘Create’ button and ‘OK’.
Enter the Windows registry
Press the key combination ‘Win + R’, type ‘regedit’ (without quotes) and click ‘OK’. Also, you can access the system search bar , copy regedit and click ‘Run as administrator’. In this way, it will be possible to apply changes without any problem or any type of restriction.
Locate the registry key
When you open the editor, you will find a list of folders organized in a panel on the left of the window. There, look for the following path: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT AppID {86F80216-5DD6-4F43-953B-35EF40A35AEE} which corresponds to the registry key you are going to change.
Back up the key to be able to revert if desired
It is convenient that you protect this element in order to return to a previous state when failures occur. For this reason, you must select the key you found , press ‘File’ and ‘Export’. Thus, you will be able to save a backup in any space on your computer’s hard drive and maintain WiFi performance on your computers.
Change permissions and delete the registry key
Then, proceed to modify a parameter of the object that you have found in the Windows editor. To do so, right click on the folder you located and click ‘Permissions’. Press ‘Advanced’ and choose the ‘Change’ link. Select the admin user and press the ‘Search Now’ option. Then click ‘OK’.
Go back to the ‘Security’ section to enable the administrator account. Provides full control and reading before applying changes. Go back to system ‘regedit’ and delete this key {86F80216-5DD6-4F43-953B-35EF40A35AEE}.
Therefore, ‘Show characters’ which is always visible in the network properties will be disabled . The foregoing will permanently hide all the texts that could give a sign of your password. Finally, you can check who is connected to your network and restrict those unknown devices.