Windows 7 will not remember wireless network key

Anonymous
2010-02-17T14:25:04+00:00

I have two wireless networks in my home, which are both secured with WPA - Personal TKIP encryption. For some reason, every time I reboot and login, I must re-enter my network key. I've been living with this for about six months but now its getting on my nerves.

I have Windows 7 Home Premium x64

I would be very grateful if anyone could solve this problem as it is extremely annoying and would save me a lot of time.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

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Anonymous
2011-08-24T19:24:59+00:00

I have been banging my head against a wall with this issue for some time but I have finally found the solution.

If you are having trouble with Windows 7 not saving your network security key, or reverting to some old key, the solution is as follows:

run msconfig (start > run (or just type into the "Search programs and files" field above the windows orb) > msconfig)

this brings up the System Configuration dialog box

click the Startup tab

scroll to find your wifi adapter's startup program (in my case it was NETGEAR)

uncheck the box next to this startup item

restart your computer. problem solved.

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-11-18T16:40:16+00:00

    I have Windows 10 and had the exact same issue. Your fix worked for me as well, thank you!

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-07-15T05:08:50+00:00

    Worked for me as well. My wireless program said Intel wireless.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-06-19T19:24:01+00:00

    Thanks dear Austin,

    This method is working well

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-03-27T15:38:15+00:00

    Hi, I've just recently changed my broadband service and come up against this exact problem.

    Not sure if my solution will be the same as yours, but I use an external Wireless adaptor. I fixed my problem when I realised that the little 5 bar "internet access" icon in the bottom right of the Start bar wasn't the only connection settings icon. If you hit the little arrow to show the hidden icons, there may be another set of green bars "connection" icon. I right clicked that and selected "open config utility", and I could see that only my old broadband details were in the "profiles" section. I just needed to select "add", type in the details and the WPA2-PSK password, and the problem was solved!

    Hope this helps as it's such a pain having to type that passcode everytime I started my PC up!

    N

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