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
    2014-09-06T23:53:04+00:00

    I am using a new Alienware laptop with Windows 8 and have the same problem.  I too have tons of internet connectivity issues (constantly getting disconnected from the network/internet; whether or not this is due to me being automatically connected to other networks I do not know.  However, I do not like being automatically connected to these other 20 networks...).

    I cannot believe there is no option to disconnect from these other networks or prevent the PC from connecting to them in the first place.  This is a huge flaw.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-09-07T01:02:22+00:00

    I found a site that shows you how to add networks to your blocked list using the command prompt.  It seems to help if you are in a stationary place, but as soon as you move to another location more networks will pop up that you will have to block so it can be time consuming and tedious.  However, it is a temporary fix until Microsoft implements something that prevents you from connecting to networks automatically.  As to whether or not this will help my internet connectivity problems I'll have to wait and find out.  It is nice to know that I'm not connected to these other networks though...

    NOTE: If the network name is "Hidden network" this block command doesn't seem to do anything.  I was able to get rid of a majority of the other unwanted networks though.

    http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/45598-wireless-networks-allow-block-filter-windows.html

    Command prompt to use:

    netsh wlan add filter permission=block ssid="NETGEAR26" networktype=infrastructure

    (Just change the NETGEAR26 to whatever the name of the network is you want to block)

    To get to the command prompt use the Windows key+x and select the "Command Prompt (Admin)."

    If you need to reset your filter or remove a network from the blocked list that same web page tells you how to do that as well.

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  3. 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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  4. 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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