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
    2013-06-24T09:40:21+00:00

    Any further assistance available on this issue?

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-06-28T00:30:00+00:00

    have come to the conclusion that windows 8 wireless connection is completely stuffed. I am experiencing several more issues now, for example auto disconnection from my mobile phone wifi hotspot around the house as the computer then tries to connect to my home cable network, even though its the wifi hotspot I want to use in some circumstances 9for example when im too far from my cable modem to get a decent signal).

    Time to go back to windows 7.

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  3. 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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  4. 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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