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
    2015-10-19T17:25:55+00:00

    Me, too

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-06-24T01:28:21+00:00

    I'm having the same issues as listed throughout this thread. I do have the Intel ProSet, but oddly enough, have no options at all (it's not that they are greyed out).

    When the Intel window opens, there is a small box in the middle of the window. The header says "Administer" and inside the box is only one option - an "Import" button next to the words "Import wireless profiles".

    There are no options, no check boxes, nothing about Wireless Asisstant, etc.

    I also see every WiFi netowkr with the checkbox checked to automatically connect. I am less worried about that - it could be that Windows defaults to having it on but only actually embeds that preference once you've connected for the first time. For example, if you unchecked and THEN connected, would that help? I haven't wanted to test that for all the main reasons we're talking about - I don't know the network.

    My bigger concern is the underlying problem, that I will randomly connect to networks I don't know. It doesn't happen everywhere (or even at home anymore), so that's why I don't think the issue is directly related to the "Connect Automatically" checkbox...it seems to be an underlying and not totally consistent issue with actually latching on to networks.

    I am shocked this hasn't been addressed. I am running a brand new (2 weeks) Lenovo X1 Carbon 3rd generation.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-12-30T23:48:59+00:00

    the only thing that works is the command line options given by Vindic8eds on Sept 7.

    Terrible that this issue is ongoing for well over a year without being fixed....or even ADDRESSED by MS.

    The whole WIFI admin section needs to be re-done. Lots of issues. 

    Right now I've filtered out the annoying network that my laptop ALWAYS connected to first. Even when I manually disconnected from it and connected to my preferred one, Windows would knock me back to  the un-preferred one after about 60 seconds.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-08-08T17:03:23+00:00

    This is not the problem we are having.  The networks we want to uncheck the box for are NOT known networks.  They are networks that are in the vacinity.  For example, I have never used an neighboring networks.  But...They show up under available networks and all have the "connect automatically" box checked.  Since they are not previously known or used networks, you cannot change settings in the manner you suggest.  They would not show up in the network and sharing box.

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