What is a Microsoft wi-fi direct virtual adapter?

Hello Frieda, this is Emily.

Microsoft wi-fi direct virtual adapter is what enables your computer to be wifi hotspot so other devices can connect to it to get internet.

Thank you. I did not instal these adapters. I need to uninstall & or delete. I have tried restting network. They do not go away. There are 4 networks i do not know. They only show theirselves when i hit the wifi icon on taskbar to conect. They are set to conect auto. I take auto off, it comes right back. They do not show through network settings, so i can not

"forget " them. I can not manage them. There are 4, one of them is "mriroscreen" another is Hidden network, TP-Link_A0A5, & Netgear (not there all the time)

Anyway i really want to get rid of the virtual adapters, that may fix all. I do not need my laptop to be a hotspot.anybody know a good quick phone number for MS ??🤔

Frieda, you cannot uninsttall the virtual adapter. It is part of Windows that supports the hotspot feature. It doesn't mean your hotspot is turned on automatically, but it is just the behind-the-scene techology that supports the feature. It is not related to the issue you described in your previous reply.

Now, regarding those network names.

If you see the "forget" option, those are Wifi networks that you have connected to at one point. For example, if you went to a certain hotel next town and used their Wifi, the wifi name could be remembered. So if next time you are at the same hotel again, it will automatically connect. You can use the forget option to remove it, so next time you are at the same hotel, you will go through the whole new process to find the wifi network and connect again.

Now, if you see the option "connect automatically". Those are the Wifi options near you that Windows detects. They can be from your neighbors, including your own wifi, or any devices (printer, smart-TV, etc) that provides direct connect. There is no way to get rid of those. But you did the right thing, you can uncheck the "connect automatically" and keep it checked for your own home wifi only.

Thank you Frieda. After you take a screenshot, you can just right click in your reply and choose the paste option.

Frieda, it sounds like some of these can be devices in your home network environment that allows direct connect. I don't want to make any assumption, but do you mind sharing a screenshot?