This post shows students and new users the steps to prevent Windows from automatically connecting to a Wi-Fi network that it previously connected to. You can tell Windows not to automatically connect to certain Wi-Fi networks at any time.
When you do that, Windows 11 will still remember the password and other connection details, but it won’t automatically connect every time you’re in range. A connection will only be established when you start it manually.
This can be useful if you’ve previously connected to a public Wi-Fi network, but don’t want to automatically reconnect when in range. Some public networks will show an authentication page when you have to accept the terms of use. If automatically every time, and you do not proceed to the second step to accept their terms of use, the Internet access will not work.
You may want to use this in Windows 11 if you see the need. If not, just ignore it and keep disconnecting when you need to.
How to prevent Windows 11 from automatically connecting to a Wi-Fi network
As mentioned above, Windows will automatically connect to a previously connected Wi-Fi network whenever it is in range. If you want to avoid that, the steps below should help you.
First, disconnect from the Wi-Fi network if you are already connected. Click on the Quick settings and expand Wi-Fi connection settings, then select the Wi-Fi network you are connected to and click Disconnect.
Once disconnected, uncheck the box next to: Connect automatically for the Wi-Fi network you do not want to connect to automatically.
You should do that!
How to disable automatic connection to Wi-Fi in Windows settings
If it is not within the network range, you will not be able to see it on the Wi-Fi connection in the list of the Quick settings window. You will have to go to Windows Settings to edit the behavior of the connection.
Windows 11 has a centralized location for most of its settings. From system settings to creating new users and updating Windows, everything can be done from your System settings crystal.
To access the System Settings, you can use the Windows key + i shortcut or click Start ==> Settings as shown in the following picture:
Alternatively, you can use the search box on the taskbar and find Settings. Then select to open it.
The Windows settings panel should look similar to the image below. In Windows settings, click Network and Internetand select Wifi on the right panel of the screen shown in the image below.
About him Wifi settings panel, under the network you do not want to automatically connect to, uncheck the box next to Automatically connect when in range as shown in the picture below.
You should do that!
The details of the Wi-Fi connection are kept and will be connected when you start the connection. However, Windows will not automatically connect to the Wi-Fi network when it is in range.
Conclusion:
In this tutorial we have seen how to prevent Windows from automatically connecting to a Wi-Fi network. If you find any errors above, have something to add, use the comment form below.
