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
    2012-07-19T13:42:55+00:00

    You could check the power saving options on the wireless card or the drivers for the wireless device...if power saving options are set for max then this could cause problems too...

    This worked perfectly for me. I went to Network and Sharing Center>Change Adapter Settings(left menu)>Wireless Network Connection(right click)>Properties( menu item)>Sharing>Configure(button)>Power Management(tab)  and then unchecked the option, "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power".  This feature seems irrelevant to me, anyway, since this is a desktop computer.  Anyway, this did this trick!

    Update:  OK, I THOUGHT this did the trick, but it did not.  Instead, my problem was a mismatch between my NetGear startup program and the Windows configuration for the network adapter.  Updating the NetGear software to use the correct Wifi security protocol did the trick.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-11-28T16:15:07+00:00

    I just ran into the same issue and solved it by disabling the Realtec service so it is related to autostart / automatic startup of services. I'm using an Edimax adapter.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-12-05T17:31:02+00:00

    I went into the realtek RTL8188CU wireless adapter in Contol Panel>Network and Internet>Network Connections.

    Then Advanced tab.  Wireless Mode property and changed it to IEEE 802 1 b/g from IEEE 802 b/g/n

    It seems to not be dropping wireless, or saying connected but no internet.

    Maybe thats what the support guy meant when he said turn off IEEE authentication. ?

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-12-30T20:23:55+00:00

    Thank you for your remarks! I couldn't find my wifi adapter in startup program but instead I went to services (within the system configuration dialog box)  and unchecked the box.

    The problem is solved!

    thank you again

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