The Simplest Way To Reveal Passwords Behind Asterisks

*Updated 25 May 2010* Introducing an even simpler method!

Using saved password to login all the time and you'll tend to forget what's behind the "******" asterisks. Here's the simplest way to reveal it.

To reveal password in a web browser (tested in IE, Firefox and Chrome)

1) Copy the whole code below, paste it in the URL address bar of your browser and press Enter. Try it now to reveal the password below!

javascript:(function(){var s,F,j,f,i; s = ""; F = document.forms; for(j=0; j<F.length; ++j) { f = F[j]; for (i=0; i<f.length; ++i) { if (f[i].type.toLowerCase() == "password") s += f[i].value + "\n"; } } if (s) alert("Passwords in forms on this page:\n\n" + s); else alert("There are no passwords in forms on this page.");})();

Note that you may create a bookmark using the above code as the URL so that whenever you need to reveal the password, it is just one click away :) For browsers with bookmark toolbar, you may drag this link below directly to the toolbar to create the bookmark:
Reveal Password

To reveal password in any other programs (such as FTP client)

1) Launch Password Spectator. Hold down 'Ctrl' key and Left Click on any password to reveal it.

Limitations: Doesn't work with programs that do not actually store the password "behind" the asterisks. Many programs store user passwords elsewhere and only use asterisks as placeholders.

Q: Does Password Spectator work with web browsers? 
A: Only Internet Explorer is supported. Try revealing the password above if you're using IE.