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
    2013-07-25T15:33:32+00:00

    Hi,

    Thank you for the reply.

    Method 1: Try to perform a system file checker (SFC) scan.

    System File Checker Tool will try to help you in fixing all the corrupted files and folders in the computer.

    a. Type “cmd” on the Start screen.

    b. Right-click on it and select “Run as administrator”.

    c. Type the following command and press Enter:

    sfc /scannow

    Method 2: Create a new user account and check.

     a. Press the “Windows Key + i”

    b. Click More PC Settings

    c. On the left, click Users

    d. Click “Add a User”, and follow the onscreen instructions to create a new user account.

    Please post back if you are still experiencing the issue. I will be glad to provide you with the additional options available that you can utilize to get the issue resolved.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-07-02T13:30:17+00:00

    Hi,

    Same problem here, my laptop tries to connect to every unsecured network.

    All network automatically get the "connect automatically" checked and tying to uncheck it does not work.

    The only solution at the moment is to set the "airplane mode" on ... really annoying.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-07-02T02:59:01+00:00

    Thanks but unfortunately as per my original posting, I cannot turn off the auto connect for that network because of my original issue, that is, ALL the other connections (as per original post) are set to 'automatically connect'. I do not want to have my system connecting to unsecured networks that come into range.

    In brief again:

    • all connections in wireless network screen have 'connect automatically' box checked
    • unchecking the boxes does not work as they automatically recheck immediately
    • when getting in range of an unsecured free network, my system connects to it automatically (not good!)

    Surely there is some file edit I can do that automatically defaults all available wifi networks to not be set to connect automatically by default when they come into range. This was easy in Windows 7.

    What is the point of the 'connect automatically' box if I cannot deselect it for networks that I cannot connect to or do not want to? I can only deselect it for the network I DO want to autoconnect to.

    Further, I cannot 'forget network' except or networks I am connected too...again meaning its a pointless option.

    The only security option I have therefore at the moment is to keep my system in flight mode, or to turn WIFI off using the Intel connection utility I downloaded.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-06-29T11:46:55+00:00

    Hi,

    Thank you for the reply.

    Windows 8 by default automatically connects to the previously connected/known Wi-Fi network. Listed below are steps to disable the automatic connection to known Wi-Fi network.

    Step 1: Right click on Wi-Fi icon and select Open Network and Sharing Center menu option

    Step 2: In the Network and Sharing Center window, click the Wi-Fi connection link.

    Step 3: This should display the Wi-Fi Status windows as shown below.

    Step 4: Now click the Wireless Properties button in W-Fi Status.

    Step 5: Un mark the check box with label as Connect automatically when this network in rangeoption available under the Wireless Network Properties window. Click Ok button to confirm and the save the changes.

    Hope it helps.

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