Windows 10 stop automatically connecting to random new wi-fi networks

johnny234 · 29 Jul 2018

Hi,

I have searched a lot, but all the tutorials I found only explained how to not connect automatically to a known wi-fi network or how to disable wi-fi sense... but this is not what I am looking for...

PROBLEM:

When my laptop (Windows 10 Pro X64) is not connected to a network and the wireless adapter is on, it will automatically connect to any random new unsecured wi-fi network... The only way I have now to avoid this is to disable my wi-fi adapter.

UNUSEFUL TUTORIALS I FOUND ON THE INTERNET:

How to manually uncheck the option for a particular wi-fi network not to connect automatically in Network Properties. This is not what I am looking for. This would suggest that everytime I power my computer. I would have to manually go through all the available wi-fi networks and unclick them all...
How to disable Wi-Fi Sense. This is not useful, because I don't even have a Wi-Fi sense option in my computer where the tutorials say it should be.

EXPECTED BEHAVIOR:

I am looking for an option to tell my computer to stop connecting randomly to unknown wi-fi networks like an hyperactive, reckless idiot.

PERSONAL COMMENT:

Honestly, why would any respectable company think that it could be somewhat wise or secure to do this... Anyone's computer could just randomly connect to any hacker's wi-fi network without the user even knowing it...

Any solutions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

dalchina · 30 Jul 2018

Hi, which build of Windows are you using? (Windows key + R, winver).

Note that Wi-fi sense has been withdrawn... so I wonder if you're using an older build?
Microsoft Quietly Kills Controversial Wi-Fi Sense Feature | The first stop for security news | Threatpost

Windows 10 stop automatically connecting to random new wi-fi networks-1.jpg

Do you have 'Connect to suggested open hotspots' off?
That said, 'Learn more' gives this somewhat confusing page which seems relevant:
Windows 10 open Wi-Fi hotspots â€“ Microsoft privacy

johnny234 · 30 Jul 2018

Hello and thank you for answering!

I am using Version 1803 (OS Build 17134.165). As I said in my original post, I do not have Wi-Fi Sense on my computer...

In my Wi-Fi Properties, everything is set to "off", but I don't even have as many options as on your picture. The only options I have is "Random hardware addresses", which is set to "off", and "Hotspot 2.0 networks", which is also set to "off".

JAM83 · 30 Jul 2018

@johnny234

Can you go into your actual Wi-Fi Adapters Settings (Not Microsoft), and see if there are any options you can mess around with in there?

johnny234 · 30 Jul 2018

@vgkfan83

I checked everywhere I thought there could be something related to this, and I found nothing....

First step that could help would be to know if my issue is a default Windows 10 behavior or if I have a problem with my computer. I would think it is a Windows expected behavior, because the computer has been doing this since I can remember and I don't remember doing any particular setting that could change anything... It's just that lately, I have been travelling a lot with the laptop, and I am very, very, very, very sick and frustrated of Windows deciding for me to connect to any random wi-fi as soon as I open it...

taquion · 31 Jul 2018

Hi,
I have same problem!! and I live next to a hotel so my computer always connects to a freeWifi and not to my wifi.
Also with W10 Pro 64 Build 1803, I've tried to add to the register the DWORD but as spectated it doesn't works.

Try3 · 01 Aug 2018

taquion said:

I live next to a hotel so my computer always connects to a freeWifi and not to my wifi.

Add or Remove Wireless Network from Filter - TenForumsTutorial

Denis

Try3 · 01 Aug 2018

Johnny,

I have one computer that also lacks many of the entries that my other computers have in Settings, Network, WiFi.
- I have always assumed that this was either caused by its chipset driver or its BIOS. {Changing the WiFi adapter does not affect this page so it is not the WFi driver causing this}
- The computer concerned is really just a tablet with a keyboard attached.

I would urge you to check with your computer maker for both hardware updates and for BIOS updates because hardware behaviour depends on it.

Other than that, I can suggest a workaround based on Add or Remove Wireless Network from Filter - TenForumsTutorial
- You can create a list of the WiFi networks that you always want to let your computer connect to.
- You can create a batch file to implement this allowed-only list.
- You can create another batch file to undo this allowed-only list i.e. let your computer see all the available networks again.
- You can then run the allowed-only batch file when you are on the move and run the undoer when you reach a safe place & want to see what's there.
- Not ideal, I realise.

If you are interested then I'll post my own allowed list, batch file, undoer batch file to serve as examples for you.

Denis

johnny234 · 03 Aug 2018

Hi again!

Sorry for late response... For some reason I stopped receiving the update emails for this thread...

I have a Lenovo laptop, quite recent. My Bios is the latest and I did not touch my drivers since I bought it...

Not sure about the batch files... If this implies running the files often, I guess I better just keep enabling/disabling my wifi adapter when I open my computer.

Really, I don't understand how come this is happening and no one seems to have a solution on the web... I've seen a few posts talking about this problem, but everytime, the answers are just unuseful answers like I stated in my original post.

This is a SERIOUS security issue in my opinion... I think it just doesn't make any sense that my computer has this behavior...

Try3 · 03 Aug 2018

If you have not updated your drivers despite Windows updates having been run then it is possible that the problem could be addressed by installing the latest Lenovo hardware drivers [not just the WiFi driver, all the provided drivers].

If the problem remains afterwards then I suggest you post your equivalent of the picture that dalchina posted above so that others can see what options are available to you in that dialog.

Denis