Security Key

[zjackrandall]

Hello, I just purchased a mini computer for my wife. In trying to set it up for her, it asked for a security key. What is it and where do I find it?

 

[henydiah]

admin

 

[bmathews]

If you are trying to set up a security key for a wireless network then take a look at the link below.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Set-up-a-security-key-for-a-wireless-network

If you are trying to recover your security Key then follow the steps below:

1. On your Home PC, that connects to your Wi-Fi Network, click on the Wi-Fi Network Icon on the taskbar.

2. Right-click on your wireless network connection and click “Properties”.

3. In the Wireless Network Properties, click on “Security” tab. You can see the Network Security Key that you entered during setup of Wi-Fi Network. But by default, it will not be in readable format.

4. To make the password readable, check the box “Show Characters” and voila your Network Key is readable!

I hope this helps!

Brett M,
Windows Outreach Team

 

[dneiltracey]

Hi Brett, I am using Vista and having a similar problem. I go to the control panel, manage wireless networks and right click on the network I want and select properties. I go to the security tab but the Show Characters button is grayed out. Any suggestions?

If you are trying to set up a security key for a wireless network then take a look at the link below.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Set-up-a-security-key-for-a-wireless-network

If you are trying to recover your security Key then follow the steps below:

1. On your Home PC, that connects to your Wi-Fi Network, click on the Wi-Fi Network Icon on the taskbar.

2. Right-click on your wireless network connection and click “Properties”.

3. In the Wireless Network Properties, click on “Security” tab. You can see the Network Security Key that you entered during setup of Wi-Fi Network. But by default, it will not be in readable format.

4. To make the password readable, check the box “Show Characters” and voila your Network Key is readable!

I hope this helps!

Brett M,
Windows Outreach Team

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Is it your network? If so you should know the key

 

[Saga Lout]

Hi Brett, I am using Vista and having a similar problem. I go to the control panel, manage wireless networks and right click on the network I want and select properties. I go to the security tab but the Show Characters button is grayed out. Any suggestions?

Of course it's greyed out otherwise anyone would be able to read it and the M$ Outreach Team should know better. That facility is only open to the person typing in the key so that they can see what they're inputting and check it as they go along.

Follow the guide I posted in post number 3 in this thread http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/28102-18-suppoort-setupwirless.

If you can get close enough to the router to cable into it and find the security key, it probably does belong to you.