I have no idea because they haven't come back to the thread since I posted it...

Win 7 it should be possible to get the network information and to tell it to show it as characters following what I posted - I haven't got anything here I can test it on so it is possible they removed the option in an update but I am certain it used to be there.

I did have ... however, I have been battling with a Win7 to Win10 upgrade since 9:00 this morning!

I will have a look on Win10 later!

I can readily see my router's WiFi password on my Win10 Pro laptop.

We are surely talking about the router login password not the wifi security key?

I wouldn't have thought so , no.

They could connect via ethernet without the need for the router password, to me it sounds like they want to use WiFi.

It is the WAP key that is printed on the back of the router, not the admin password , and nobody should be running WiFi with the default key, it should have been changed.

I am tipping most users keep the default pw, I do not see a huge risk keeping it default.

That WiFi PW is printed on the router and on several routers I have seen it is also on the box and instruction sheets where it can be read and copied by anyone.

Packaging gets tipped in the bin ..........

All advice I have seen has always been to change the WAP key immediately and make it a decent length/complexity.

That's really just stupidity to throw out documentation with your password.

Usually it is on the router and on a card in the original box.

Even thrown out it is unlikely your neighbours will rummage the garbage hoping for a BT home hub box. It is likely to end up at a landfill where users have no idea of the originating location.

I personally feel it is poor advice to recommend changing the password, as users often choose dictionary words or easy to remember passwords which are easier to brute force.

The only security tip I have is to disable WPS as I have personally got a 64 digit WPA2 password in 25 seconds via WPS flaws.

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

We are surely talking about the router login password not the wifi security key?

I'd be very surprised at that. I can see no valid reason for a temporary occupant of a house needing the router admin password. They certainly wouldn't get it in this house. If so minded they could log in, change the WiFi network key and stop me accessing my own broadband link.

No, I'm sure it's the WiFi password (network key) which, as the OP said, is on the back of the router which is locked away.

Personally I've never had an ISP supplied router so my network key is a generated one by KeyPass and is long and all but impossible to remember.

You can get it from windows quite easily.

https://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/netw...