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Original Title: Why can't I prevent Windows 8 from automatically trying to connect to ALL networks in range?
I just purchased a new HP laptop with Windows 8, and this is my 1st experience with Win 8.
I have noticed that when I view the Network List of all networks within range, all of them have the "Connect Automatically" box ticked. I only wish to attempt to connect automatically to my own network. If I un-tick this box for all other networks it makes no difference -- when I look at it again, the box is ticked.
After researching this on the internet I found some advice which suggested right-clicking on the name of the network and selecting "Forget this network" from the menu that pops up. However, right-clicking on the name of any network other than my own does nothing -- no menu appears. If I right-click on the name of my own network this menu DOES appear ("Show estimated usage, Set as metered connection, Forget this network," etc.)
I have read a similar question posted here, as well as the answers given. It did not help. Stopping and starting the WLAN Autoconfig Services makes no difference:
It does not appear to me that this person got his/her question resolved adequately, and it seems I have the same concern.
Why is Win 8 configured to connect automatically to ALL networks on the list of available networks, and why am I unable to un-check the "Connect Automatically" box for networks I do not wish to automatically try to connect to? To clarify, I can un-check the box, but the change does not persist; if I move my mouse away from that network name, and then click on it again, "Connect Automatically" is checked again, regardless of the fact that I have just un-checked it.
And why can't I right-click on networks other than my own to access the menu choices which include "forget this network?"
I am a VERY frustrated Windows 8 user. I am about to wipe this stupid hard drive clean and install Linux instead. :(
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Hello,
Thank you for your reply.
I appreciate your time and patience.
It is possible that a virus is causing the issue. I would suggest you to run Microsoft safety scanner and check if it helps.
Refer:
Microsoft safety scanner
http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx
Note: Any data files that are infected may only be cleaned by deleting the file entirely, which means there is a potential for data loss.
I hope it helps.
Thank you
THANK YOU SO MUCH to Very Frustrated NEW Windows 8 userfor explaining in exact detail what I too find to be VERY FRUSTRATING. This user could not have been more specific with the problem. And now its affecting my other wireless products (Smart TV) because its constantly trying to auto connect with all of these different users in my area. Come on Microsoft ... It shouldn't be this complicated. And honestly the replies received from the experts were of no help. Ya might have a virus! REALLY??? That's as good as you can do. It needs to be fixed. PLEASE!
Thanks for starting this thread and to all who've commented. I'm running Windows 10. Never noticed this issue before but now seeing, like many others, that EVERY network in range is set to connect automatically. I can "uncheck" this for each network, great way to waste a couple minutes, but it just goes back to being checked. Another great MS innovation!
I don't want to SEE another network except the one I connect to every day. Right click does nothing, not even for my network. It is utterly amazing to me how something like this, either intentionally or unintentionally, ends up in the MS experience.
On top of this, my network is almost always the last one to display as available. Really!?
MS, please allow us to PERMANENTLY REMOVE ANY NETWORK from the available WiFi list AND an option to set AUTO-CONNECT FOR A SINGLE SSID.
p.s. MS safety scanner results. 40,000+ files scanned, none infected
Gotta love these MS answers. One "MS support engineer" disappears after requesting information (and getting it). The other says "do a virus check" after reading one post and disappears. I'd be better off dialing a random number in India. Why did I even think there would be help on a MS forum?
On Wed, 14 Oct 2015 19:09:38 +0000, JanLMiller wrote:
Gotta love these MS answers. One "MS support engineer" disappears after requesting information (and getting it). The other says "do a virus check" after reading one post and disappears. I'd be better off dialing a random number in India. Why did I even think there would be help on a MS forum?
There are hardly any Microsoft support engineers here. There are
Microsoft contractors (many of whom are in India), but these forums
are primarily peer support forum. We are all just users of this
version of Windows here, helping each other if and when we can. We are
not Microsoft employees (not even those of us with "Microsoft MVP"
behind our names; that's an honorary title for having provided
consistently helpful advice) except for an occasional Microsoft
contractor or employee.
So we are all different. Some of us know more about Windows than
others, some of us know more about the particular area of Windows that
a question is about, some of us are better at explaining things than
others, and so on. You should judge the individuals here, not the
entire group.
And in my opinion, most of the better replies here come from
individuals who are not Microsoft contractors.
