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
    2013-11-24T02:14:40+00:00

    For me the fix was as simple as going to:

    "C: \ProgramData\Microsoft\Wlansvc"

    And to delete this entire WLANSVC folder!

    No need to stop any service or anything, just disable wireless beforehand (either using a switch on your laptop etc, or by disabling the adaptor) then delete the entire folder.

    When you restart wireless and enter your credentials again, it will recreate the folder and all the subfolders beneath it and store the details permanently.

    You may want to try the above as a last resort -  I did, worked for me.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-03T08:43:41+00:00

    A small detail... Mine was at the 'Services' tab instead of the startup tab. Thank you!

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-10-18T15:10:34+00:00

    try this..

    open search, type "services.msc" open services.

    Scroll down to "wlan auto config" right click, stop the service.

    Navigate to

    "C: \ProgramData\Microsoft\Wlansvc\ (ProgramData is hidden folder)delete everything in this folder leaving only a folder called "profiles" delete everything in the "profiles" folder except for a folder called "interfaces" delete everything in the "interfaces" folder)

    Restart "wlan auto config" connect to your wireless network, enter

    your passkey, (ensure the connect automaticly box is checked)

    Restart your computer job done, your computer will now connect to your wireless network automaticly on boot.

    This works but a very important point is missing!

    After you enter your passkey, ensure that you make the Interfaces folder 'Read Only'. Otherwise when you reboot, Windows will overwrite the folder that was created in Interfaces and all will be lost. By making the folder read only, Windows can not overwrite and your passkey will be remembered.

    Problem solved!

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-10-16T13:50:59+00:00

    I suffered from the same problem.  I use a desktop PC with a third party wireless network interface card installed.  I wanted Windows 7 to forget one wireless network and remember the password to another wireless network.  Every time I logged on I would have to manually switch between the two networks and input the Wi-Fi key within the 'Wireless Network Properties' in Windows. 

    The vendor software for the wireless NIC seems to override any configuration done via the 'Network and Sharing Center' in Windows.  I had to open my third party vendor application and adjust the wireless profile within that application.

    I removed the profile associated with the old wireless network which allowed Windows to forget that network (Control Panel > Network and Internet > Manage Wireless Networks).

    I created another profile within my third party vendor application which meant that Windows would remember the Wi-Fi key every time I restarted the computer.

    I hope this helps.

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