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I lost my pin for my wireless connection what can I do?

Anonymous
2011-07-03T18:48:19+00:00

I am trying to connect another computer to my wireless connection... it is asking for a pin or password... but I don't know what they are... what can I do??

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-07-03T20:11:07+00:00

    If you have another computer connected via wifi to the same wireless router, you can click on the wireless icon in the taskbar (lower right) on that computer, then right click on the name of the connection (the one that shows "Connected") and click on Properties and then on the Security tab it will show the "Network Security Key" -- click "Show characters" below that. 

    Another way to get to the Network Properties dialog is Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center and then click on the Wireless Network Connection listed beside Connections (again assuming the computer is connected via wifi) and then click on Wireless Properties and then on the Security tab it will show the "Network Security Key" -- click "Show characters" below that.

    If you no longer have any computers that will connect via wifi with the router, you will have to go to the router settings and get the key there.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-07-03T21:24:29+00:00

    You can sometimes find a sticker on the router or home hub. Did your ISP provide the router?

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-07-03T21:06:09+00:00

    I cannot connect via wifi but I am connected thru a wired connection. so how do I "go to the router settings and get the key there"?

    Generally wireless routers are addressed at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 or something similar. Check the users manual for your router or the manufacturers support pages for specific help or tell us the exact make and model of wireless router for further help.

    If the router will not display the wireless encryption key/password/passphrase in clear text you may need to simply create a new key/password/passphrase and apply that to both the wireless router and any wireless clients you have. If you do that make sure your match exactly the encryption type (ie. WPA2 or WPA for example) and the encryption key/password/passphrase on the the router and all of your clients.

    An easy way to do that is to use Windows Connect Now [WCN] to save off the wireless profile on a flashdrive for later use adding clients or to recover a forgotten profile.

    http://theillustratednetwork.mvps.org/LAN/SoHoWirelessSecurity.html#Windows_Connect_Now

    You can simply plug in the flash drive into a Windows 7, Vista or XP client and load the profile automatically. If the client can not use WCN, ie. like a MAC or Linux client for example, the wireless key is in plain text in the \Smrtntky\Wsetting.txt file on the flash drive. Simply copy-n-paste to the client.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-07-03T21:04:47+00:00

    If you have instructions that came with your router I would follow them.  They should tell you how to set up the wireless security on the router.  If not, click on the "Set up the router" link in the following and part way down the page under "If WCN isn't available, you can also follow these steps to set up the router manually" are instructions for how to get into most routers.  Once there look for the wireless security area and that will show you the key (may be labeled "WPA Shared Key" or similar).  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/set-up-a-wireless-router

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-07-03T20:49:21+00:00

    I cannot connect via wifi but I am connected thru a wired connection. so how do I "go to the router settings and get the key there"?

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