Windows 10: Disable automatic connection of a wireless network

Question

I have a number of available networks in my area but I wish to connect automatically only to my secured Home network. The problem is that one of the unsecured building networks is checked to connect automatically. I have tried to uncheck the box but it always comes back as "connect automatically". I keep getting hundreds of notifications that "UD Tower Network requires attention"  that are making me slightly insane. How do I turn off the connect automatically button for this network? WIndows 10, 64 bit

Original Title: Connect Automatically Network

***Post moved by the moderator to the appropriate forum category.***

Answer 1

Hello Fred,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

Sorry for the inconvenience caused with Windows 10.

You may follow the below steps to turn off the “connect automatically” option.

1. Press Windows key + A to open action center and click on All Settings.
2. Now select Network and Internet.
3. In the left panel, select Wi-Fi.
4. Now in the right panel, select the option Change Adapter Options.
5. The Change Adapter Options will open the Network Connections. You will find the network connection to which your computer or tablet is connected.
6. Double click on the wireless connection to open the Wi-Fi status. Go to Wireless Properties.
7. Under Connection tab, find out “Connect automatically when this network is in range“. By default it is enabled. To disable it, uncheck the option and tap ok.

Hope the information helps, do reply if you need further assistance.

Thank you.

Answer 2

To further explain this question, let's start with a comparison between the steps you've outlined vs what I am seeing elsewhere. Your steps do provide the list of wifi networks that I use and are secured. However, when I click on the network symbol on the lower right of the desktop screen (sorry, don't know what to call this area), it shows other networks that probably belong to the neighbors. Some of them are checked to 'automatically connect. I don't want to automatically connect to them. How can those networks be permanently unchecked for 'automatically connect.' It cannot be permanently done on this list. Thanks, Joyce

Answer 3

Hi,

Thanks for the update and response.

For better information I suggest you to refer the article on Manage wireless network profiles and check if it helps.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-8/manage-wireless-network-profiles

(Also applies to Windows 10)

Hope this information is helpful. Please do let us know if you need further assistance, we’ll be glad to assist you.

Answer 4

I am experiencing the same issue. Every detected wifi network/signal in my vicinity is picked up and 'Connect Automatically' is checked by default for all. Whether I uncheck the 'Connect Automatically' for all of these unknown networks by clicking on the wifi icon in the task bar, or via Settings/Network & Internet/wifi settings screen the selection does not save. The very next time I view the list of wifi networks, 'Connect Automatically' is checked again for every wifi network in the list.

Answer 5

I am having the exact same issue described by JoyceMcDonald0133.

I want to:

1. Permanently disable 'Connect Automatically' for all current found wifi networks, and
2. Change the default behavior so that - by default - my device does not enable the 'Connect Automatically' option.

How do I do those 2 things?