How to Find the SSID of a Hidden Network in Windows 11 and 10?
A hidden WiFi network does not broadcast its name publicly, which means it does not appear in the list of available wireless networks on your computer. Many users hide their network’s SSID for additional privacy and to prevent unauthorized users from easily discovering it. However, there are situations where you may need to find the SSID of a hidden network. For example, you may have previously connected to it, forgotten its exact name, or need to reconnect another device.
In both Windows 11 and Windows 10, you can find the SSID of a hidden network if your computer has connected to it before. The system stores wireless profiles, including the SSID and security details. Using built-in tools like Settings, Control Panel, and Command Prompt, you can retrieve this information safely and legally.
This complete guide explains how to find the SSID of a hidden network step by step in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
So let’s begin!
How to Find the SSID of a Hidden Network in Windows 11 and 10?
To find and show the SSID of a hidden network in Windows 11 or Windows 10, open Command Prompt as administrator and type netsh wlan show profiles. Press Enter to see saved WiFi profiles. The hidden network’s SSID will appear in the list if your PC has connected to it before. You can also check it through the Control Panel under Network and Sharing Center by viewing saved wireless connections.
Before proceeding, it is important to understand what an SSID is. SSID stands for Service Set Identifier, which is simply the name of a wireless network. When a network is hidden, its SSID is not broadcast publicly. This means devices cannot automatically detect it unless they already know the network name.
If your Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer has connected to the hidden network before, the SSID is stored as a wireless profile. You can access this information using built-in Windows tools. These methods do not require third-party software and work on both operating systems.
There are three primary ways to find the SSID of a hidden network:
- Accessing saved WiFi profiles using Command Prompt
- Viewing network details through Control Panel
- Checking router settings if you have administrative access
Below are detailed step-by-step instructions.
Use Command Prompt
Step 1: Open Command Prompt with Administrative Privileges
The most reliable way to find the SSID of a hidden network is by using the Command Prompt and the netsh wlan command.
First, click on the Start Menu. In Windows 11, it is centered on the taskbar. In Windows 10, it is located on the left side. Type Command Prompt in the search box.
When Command Prompt appears in the search results, right-click on it and select Run as administrator. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes to allow administrative access.
Opening Command Prompt as an administrator is important because some network commands require elevated permissions.
Step 2: Display All Saved WiFi Profiles
Once Command Prompt is open, type the following command carefully:
netsh wlan show profiles
Press Enter.
This command will display a list of all saved wireless network profiles on your computer. Under the section labeled User Profiles, you will see the names of all networks your PC has previously connected to.
If your hidden network was connected before, its SSID will appear in this list, even if it is not currently visible in the available networks section.
Take note of the exact network name displayed.
Step 3: View Detailed Information of the Hidden Network
If you want more information about the hidden network, such as its security type and authentication method, you can run another command. Type the following command and replace NetworkName with the exact SSID shown in the previous step:
netsh wlan show profile name=”NetworkName”
Press Enter.
This will display detailed information about the selected network profile, including:
Profile name
SSID name
Security settings
Connection mode
If you also want to see the saved password, you can use this command:
netsh wlan show profile name=”NetworkName” key=clear
Scroll down to find Key Content, which shows the WiFi password in plain text.
This confirms the hidden network’s SSID and its configuration details.
Use the Control Panel to Find the Hidden SSID
If you prefer a graphical method instead of Command Prompt, you can use the Control Panel.
First, press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type control and press Enter.
In the Control Panel window, click on Network and Internet. Then select Network and Sharing Center.
On the left side, click Manage wireless networks if you are using Windows 10. In Windows 11, this option may redirect you to advanced network settings.
Here you will see a list of saved wireless connections. Hidden networks that were previously connected will appear in this list. You can right-click on the network and choose Properties to view additional details.
This method works well for users who are not comfortable using command-line tools.
Check Windows 11 Network Settings to View Saved Networks
Windows 11 also allows you to view saved networks through the Settings app.
Click the Start button and select Settings. Then go to Network and Internet.
Click on Advanced network settings and then choose More network adapter options.
Right-click on your active WiFi adapter and select Status. In the new window, click Wireless Properties.
Under the Connection tab, you can see the network name if you are currently connected. If the network is hidden but connected, its SSID will be displayed here.
You can also switch to the Security tab to view the saved password by checking the box labeled Show characters.
Access Router Settings to Confirm the Hidden SSID
If you cannot find the hidden network on your computer, you may need to check your router settings.
Open a web browser and type your router’s IP address into the address bar. Common router IP addresses include 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
Log in using your router’s administrator credentials.
Navigate to the Wireless Settings or WiFi Settings section. Here you will find the network name listed as SSID. If the network is hidden, there will usually be an option labeled Hide SSID or Disable SSID broadcast.
From here, you can view or modify the SSID if necessary.
This method requires access to the router’s admin panel and is useful when the network has never been connected to your Windows computer.
Why Hidden Networks Do Not Appear Automatically?
Hidden networks do not broadcast their SSID in beacon signals. Normally, when you open the list of available WiFi networks, your computer scans for nearby signals and displays their names. However, hidden networks only respond when a device specifically requests them by name.
This is why you must manually enter the network name when connecting to a hidden WiFi network for the first time.
It is important to note that hiding your SSID does not provide strong security by itself. Proper WPA2 or WPA3 encryption is far more important for protecting your network.
FAQs
Can I find the SSID of a hidden network if I never connected to it?
No. If your Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer has never connected to the hidden network, the system will not store its profile. You will need access to the router settings or ask the network administrator.
Does hiding the SSID improve security?
Hiding the SSID provides minimal security benefits. It prevents casual users from seeing the network name, but does not stop advanced users from detecting it. Strong encryption like WPA2 or WPA3 is essential.
Is it legal to find the SSID of any hidden network?
You should only access networks that you own or have permission to use. Attempting to access unauthorized networks may violate laws and regulations.
Why does my hidden network still appear after I disable SSID broadcast?
If your device was previously connected, it may still display the saved profile. Removing the network profile from saved networks can resolve this.
Can I unhide a network in Windows?
You cannot unhide a network directly from Windows. You must log into the router settings and enable SSID broadcasting.
Ending Lines
Finding the SSID of a hidden network in Windows 11 and Windows 10 is simple if your computer has previously connected to it. By using Command Prompt, checking saved wireless profiles, or accessing the Control Panel, you can quickly retrieve the network name and related details.
If the network has never been connected to your PC, accessing the router settings is the most reliable solution. Remember that hiding an SSID is not a replacement for proper WiFi security. Always use strong encryption and secure passwords to protect your network.