Cannot turn off 'automatically connect' option on WIFI connections

Anonymous
2013-06-19T04:07:13+00:00

This I think is either really strange or normal.

I have windows 8 on my notebook and an Inter Centrino N-2230 wireless adapter.

Recently, all WIFI connections that appear as available have the 'connect automatically' option checked. I uncheck the box, but they automatically get checked again.  I am sure that previously, all wifi connections had the box unchecked by default.

However this is NOT the case with the one wifi connection I primarily use, ie my home cable connection. I can uncheck the option for this one and it stays unchecked. Bizarre.

I am a bit concerned that if I use my notebook near an unsecured connection, it will automatically connect to this without my knowing resulting in security concerns.

Any idea if this is an issue, and how to resolve it?

Thanks

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

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Anonymous
2014-03-08T01:36:03+00:00

I assume that all of the trouble machines that are automatically connecting are using Intel PROSet Wireless Tools.  Simple fix.

Goto the Control Panel.  

Type Wireless in the search panel.

If Intel PROSet Wireless Tools is an option click it (if not then you may have another issue)

Under the option Intel Wifi HotSpot Assistant click Settings

Uncheck Automatically Connect to free WiFi Hotspots.  

Click Close 

Your DONE!

Problem Solved Unless you are not using Intel PROSet Wireless Tools.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-10-29T03:55:18+00:00

    I totally agree, unacceptable. I've been having the exact same problems for the last year. I've had Comcast come out multilpe times and no one has been able to fix the problem not to mention all the time all of us have spent trying to figure out the problem! Come on Microsoft step up to the plate and get this fixed!

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-10-29T03:36:55+00:00

    I am having all of the exact same problems listed above, including connectivity issues with *my own wifi.*I don't travel, but I live in the city, which means there are multiple other wifi connections around me. Every single one is checked "automaticall connect" no matter what I do--including all the "quick fixes" above--except for my own wifi. Furthermore, my wifi frequently stops working or kicks me off. Just to make this post, I had to turn wifi off and back on and disconnect and reconnect no less than *four times.*This is nothing short of unacceptable.

    I'm going to try blocking the other networks to see if that works, but I'm actually livid that Microsoft isn't actively doing anything to fix this. It's unsafe, it messes everything up, and it's just plain inexcusable.

    HELP.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-10-25T16:29:58+00:00

    Sorry, but I don't think you ever understood the problem. I'm in Windows 8 on a brand new XPS 12. I have connected to my HomeGroup. I want to freely share within my HomeGroup, but I'm scared to because when I view networks in the area, I can't block any of them. A neighbor next door has an unsecured network and no matter how many times I uncheck "Connect automatically," it shows up as checked the next time I view networks. Windows 8 is therefore actively undoing my efforts to prevent my computer from connecting to the non-HomeGroup networks. 

    I therefore have to either not share wirelessly within HomeGroup at all, completely isolating my W8 machine, or risk opening it to other networks that I can't block. Pretty much defeats the reason I bought the machine from my perspective. 

    Please, please if there's any way to automatically block other networks while continuing to share on an approved network, tell us!

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-09-11T03:13:39+00:00

    did the netsh command and it deleted the selected network in my list :) thanks!

    did the other steps suggested by other users .. will post here if problem still occurs.

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