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Enabling/Disabling Wireless Adaptor without Admin Rights (Win 7. 64bit)

Anonymous
2012-08-02T16:23:56+00:00

Is there a way to Enable/Disable wireless adaptor without running it as Administrator? Our laptops are subject to IT policy where user access is restricted and admin password is required to install any software. Since enabling/disabling wireless adaptor requires Admin rights, users by default are not able to enable/disable wireless. However, our IT department has confirmed that their policy has nothing to do with the wireless adaptor and that it's a Win 7 setting. Is there a fix to that? Thanks.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

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Anonymous
2012-08-12T20:40:10+00:00

There is no Windows 7 control that will enable a Standard user account to enable or disable the WiFi adapter.

A Standard user account is limited to the secondary action of switching WiFi on & off using the F7 / Fn+F5 key or whichever key it is for that model [a switch is often provided in the WindowsKey-X dialog as well, The "Windows Mobility Center"].

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-03-24T15:14:10+00:00

    Hello,

    I am not sure how this got marked as answered, but yes there is a way. member of the local built in group "Network Operators" can diasable and re-enable the netowrk adapters. If UAC is set to default, an elevation windows will still appear, but any regular user in that group can use their credentials to disable and then re-enable the adapter.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-05-02T14:03:13+00:00

    Is there a way to Enable/Disable wireless adaptor without running it as Administrator? Our laptops are subject to IT policy where user access is restricted and admin password is required to install any software. Since enabling/disabling wireless adaptor requires Admin rights, users by default are not able to enable/disable wireless. However, our IT department has confirmed that their policy has nothing to do with the wireless adaptor and that it's a Win 7 setting. Is there a fix to that? Thanks.

    There is a 4th situation where users can get into trouble accidentally.  If the user is experiencing some sort of network connectivity issue, Windows will offer to repair the connection.  Part of the repair involves disabling the adapter and re-enabling it.  If the user does not have admin rights, the re-enable part of the process will fail and the user will be locked out of the network connection.

    This is clearly a bug.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-09-23T01:58:41+00:00

    can you send me my username and my password of my wifi cause i forgot it all TNX ^_^

    if you can help me only...

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-08-02T16:50:42+00:00

    There might be some misunderstanding here.

    1  Whilst you need to Admin approval to enable or disable an adapter within Windows 7, you do not need admin approval to switch it on or off unless your IT dept have set up special limitations on that [and it sounds as though they have not].  Check that it is enabled in your BIOS or get the IT dept to check that. 

    2  Does the Network & sharing center, Change adapter settings show the adapter as being disabled?  If so then right-click on it to confirm that it is disabled & that admin approval is required to enable it then tell the IT dept.  [this enabling is normally in addition to enabling it in BIOS]

    3  To switch it on or off you need to check your PC manual as it varies between PCs.  There might be a switch on the side of the PC or there might be a keyboard key with a drawing of a transmitting mast on it.  The PC manufacturer might also have provided for it to be switched on or off in the Windows Mobility Center - press the WinLogo key and the x key to have a look at this or go through Control panel.

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