WiFi Management

jaftwo · 15 Aug 2019

Thanks Ed, I did that (mentioned in an earlier post) however, it only shows 1 profile -- my AT&T connection profile. It doesn't show any of the other profiles I see when clicking on the Internet Access icon, and I can connect to some of those and the stored password is present (so I assume those are profiles?)

What started all this was after I got my AT&T Internet (see my first post) I noticed my Amazon Dot was still using the old building access connection. So I went to the Dot app. to change it, but it (app) kept hanging so I could'n't change the WiFi connection. It turns out that building WiFi, though it shows "all bars" has some problem. Building management doesn't want to reset it (it's worked when this happened past after a power outage -- forcing a reset.)

I'm thinking of installing an Ethernet cable to my AT&T gear, but I don't think that will change anything.
I may

bro67 · 15 Aug 2019

jaftwo said:

I want to "forget" those other networks or at least change them to not automatically connect, but I need to do it from Manage know networks or the command line process, but they aren't listed (but they are real and I can connect to them.)

Why are they not displayed in the Manage know networks?

There are no networks to forget if all that it is seeing are those radios sending out a beacon. Wifi works just like FM/AM radio and tv but with a key needed to connect.

jaftwo · 15 Aug 2019

I can connect to those without entering a password (I would assume that's stored.) Two of them are also set to auto connect, and they do auto connect sometimes when I disconnect my AT&T connection (at times I don't want to be on the Internet.) If I un-check the auto connect option, it really doesn't (look at it again a few moments later and it's checked.) So I assume it's stored somewhere -- I'd like to edit that "somewhere."

- - - Updated - - -

It's not really solved, but I'm pretty sure when that building WiFi connection is fixed by a reset or a power off/outage, I can edit that one and it will allow me to edit all four of the building connections.

Kari · 15 Aug 2019

Disconnect all wireless networks. Open folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Wlansvc\Profiles\Interfaces. Notice that ProgramData is a hidden system folder, only shown when you have selected to show hidden items.

To get to folder in question without showing hidden items, type the following in File Explorer's addressbar and hit Enter:

%programdata%\Microsoft\Wlansvc\Profiles\Interfaces

In that folder is one subfolder, its name being a unique 32-bit hexadecimal string. Open the folder:

(Click to enlarge.)

Now you can see XML settings files for each saved wireless network. The XML file names are named according to their GUID. One by one, open each XML file in a code or text editor. In screenshot I use Code Writer app, but you can also open them in Notepad.

Check the name of the connection (#1 in screenshot). When you have found the XML file of the wireless network you want to stop auto connecting, change ConnectionMode value from auto to manual (#2):

ProgramData is a protected system folder, you can not save there by default. Save the modified XML file to desktop, and then copy it to wireless profile folder replacing the original.

Restart PC. Now the auto connection is forgotten.

Kari

jaftwo · 18 Aug 2019

Thanks Ed. I added an Ethernet cable so my PC is not using WiFi now. I suspect your blog post would have solved my problem and will try it one of these days.