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
    2014-12-16T15:10:58+00:00

    Windows 7, desktop, nano wifi. Will not save wireless network setup beyond reboot. All is blank after reboot. I have reinstalled drivers, uninstalled and reinstalled device, added connection by all three means. I do not need to be told to do what is already obvious since after 8+ hours over three days and reading this entire thread and all the other ones listed it still does this. Its amazing that after years of patches and service packs this does not function properly especially since it has worked correctly since the days of 3.1. I'd love to meet the geniuses who managed to finally break it. Exactly how does one get this fabulous improvement on XP to actually work?????? Its been years Microsoft. YEARS!!!! Please post a solution or make a patch.

    For all the other people you just forced to buy this upgrade I say the following, shout it indeed>>>>> HOW DOES ONE GET THIS TO WORK?????????????????????????????????

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-12-18T11:32:56+00:00

    This I was able to figure out myself,  I ran msconfig by typing "msconfig" on the "Search programs and files" just above the windows orb. on the general tab/ I found out that instead of having a normal startup. mine was set to do selective startup.  Just to see if anything will happen if I change the setting, I set it to normal startup and restarted my PC.  That actually put my issues into rest.  Hope that this will apply to you too

    Yes! This solution worked for me on Windows 8. Thanks :)

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-01-01T02:48:07+00:00

    None of this fixes the problem. I have the wireless networks showing but windows 7 WILL NOT save the password key or connect automatically. When I click on the network icon on the bottom right of the screen it shows the connect automatically box checked, it fails on the connect and then asks for the network key. It will not save it.

    WHY? After this many YEARS this should have been solved long ago.

    HOW about NOW?

    Now?

    Maybe NOW?

    Could you give an estimated year in which it might be corrected?

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-01-24T08:46:02+00:00

    None of this fixes the problem. I have the wireless networks showing but windows 7 WILL NOT save the password key or connect automatically. When I click on the network icon on the bottom right of the screen it shows the connect automatically box checked, it fails on the connect and then asks for the network key. It will not save it.

    WHY? After this many YEARS this should have been solved long ago.

    HOW about NOW?

    Now?

    Maybe NOW?

    Could you give an estimated year in which it might be corrected?

    Hi,

    in my case the problem lies with 3rd party software.... 

    (That software is "Intel Wireless LAN PROset" and the "Intel wifi connection utility".)

    • If i change wifi networks with the windows interface, i have to re-enter the password.
    • If i use the intel software everything works smoothly.

    So in my case it's not really a windows error, other than it allows itself to be hijacked by the 3rd party (intel) software. 

    I suggest, to people who haven't solved this issue yet, to do either or all of these options:

    • re-install your wireless drivers
    • check your system for 3rd party wifi connection software (test it)
    • check the internet for compatible wifi software
    • un-install any 3rd party software (maybe then the windows interface will work again)
    • or install 3rd party (compatible) software if you cant get windows to work. Because then you'll at least have the functionality, and wont have to enter the damned pw each time :)

    good luck

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