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
    2017-12-12T07:40:00+00:00

    Windows 10: Cannot turn off 'Connect automatically' option on WIFI connections 

    Recently I am experiencing the same problem in Windows 10. Every time at startup nearly all available WiFi connections are automatically checked 'Connect automatically' without my permission. An unwanted web page then automatically tries to open in Google Chrome (my default browser), but the firewall of Google Chrome blocks it. This was not a problem in the past.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-20T22:51:46+00:00

    Windows 8 Auto-connection to open wireless networks.  Serious security flaw.

    As an IT support consultant i can confirm i have experienced this on numerous machine, with numerous "unknown networks" - which is a major concern - especially as I travel, and operate in numerous locations....  I constantly discover my machine has connected to a new "unknown wireless" network.

    I cannot believe there is nothing official from Microsoft on this.

    This is from what i can observe quite a serious security flaw in the Windows 8 system.  And i wish that "well meaning" support people would endeavor to understand this issue.

    1. we are not connecting to a known or existing wireless connection.
    2. Disabling autoconnection to a known wireless network does not resolve this issue.  New open networks are still connected to.
    3. Even manually disconnecting from that network - and disabling autoconnect - does NOT prevent that same network reconnecting again when it is in range.

    Why can i not - on windows 8 - simply disable connection to an unknown network...??

    All i can see is that this is a "feature" which allows "someone" to track a laptop by enabling a laptop to "automatically" connect to a wireless network, without the users control or knowledge...  but that would be bizarre since most of the time the strategy seems to be the opposite.

    Please advise how to resolve this issue.

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  3. 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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  4. Anonymous
    2013-06-19T19:10:02+00:00

    Hi,

    Have you made any changes prior to the issue?

    You may try the following and let us know.

    a. Click Windows key + X.

    b. Click Control Panel. In the search box, type wireless, and then click Manage wireless networks.

    c. Right-click the network profile you want to modify, and then click Properties.

    d. Click the Connection tab, clear the Connect to a more preferred network if available check box, and then click OK.

    For reference: How do I prevent my computer from switching between two preferred networks?

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows7/How-do-I-prevent-my-computer-from-switching-between-two-preferred-networks

    How do I prevent my computer from switching between wireless access points

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows7/How-do-I-prevent-my-computer-from-switching-between-wireless-access-points

    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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