How to connect to a Wi-Fi network on Windows 10

Source: Windows Central

If you use a laptop, tablet, or even a desktop computer, it likely has a Wi-Fi connection, as it’s the most convenient medium to access a network and the internet without messing around with cables.

However, it’s only convenient as long as you know the steps to connect. If you’re using Windows 10, there are multiple ways quickly connect to the internet using a Wi-Fi connection, whether you’re setting up a device for the first time, connecting in a new place, or if you’re simply looking for an efficient way to connect multiple devices to the same network.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to connect to a Wi-Fi network using the network flyout in Taskbar, Settings, Control Panel, and using command lines with Command Prompt.

How to connect to Wi-Fi network using Taskbar

To connect to a Wi-Fi network using the network flyout in taskbar, use these steps:

Click on the Network icon in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar. (If you don’t see the button, click the up arrow button on the left.)

Note: Alternatively, you can open Action Center (Windows key + A), and then click the Network button in the Quick actions section to access the network flyout.

Click the Connect button.

Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: If you don’t see any network listed, click the Wi-Fi button to turn on the adapter from the flyout.

Confirm the network security key (password).

Source: Windows Central

Click the Next button.

Once you complete the steps, the device will connect to the network using the wireless connection.

Reconnect automatically

Windows 10 also offers an option to re-enable and reconnect the device automatically after disconnecting the adapter manually.

To schedule automatic reconnect to Wi-Fi networks, use these steps:

Click on the network icon in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar.

Click the Wi-Fi button to turn off wireless connectivity.

Source: Windows Central

Use the drop-down menu and select when to re-enable and re-connect:

• Manually.
• In one hour.
• In four hours.
• In one day.

Source: Windows Central

After you complete the steps, Windows 10 won’t try to re-establish a wireless connection until the schedule you specified.

When you use this feature, the computer will only auto-connect to those networks that you’ve previously configured to connect automatically.

How to connect to Wi-Fi network using Settings

On Windows 10, you can also use the «Network & Security» settings page to pre-configure Wi-Fi connections manually, and then when the network is in range, it’ll connect automatically.

To set up a Wi-Fi connection with the Settings app, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Security.
3. Click on Wi-Fi.

Click the Manage known networks option.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Add a new network button.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Save button.

Source: Windows Central

After you complete the steps, the computer will connect automatically to the Wi-Fi network you specified when it’s range.

How to connect to Wi-Fi network using Control Panel

To connect to a wireless network with Control Panel, use these steps:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Click on Network and Internet.
3. Click on Network and Sharing Center.

Under the «Set up a new connection or network» section, click the Set up a new connection or network option.

Source: Windows Central

Select the Manually connect to a wireless network option.

Source: Windows Central

(Optional) Check the Connect even if the network is not broadcasting option.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Next button.

Click the Close button.

Once you complete the steps, the device will automatically connect to the Wi-Fi network.

How to connect to Wi-Fi network using Command Prompt

Alternatively, you can connect to a Wi-Fi network using the netsh command-line tool using Command Prompt.

To connect to a wireless access point with command lines, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

Type the following command to view the available network profiles and press Enter:

netsh wlan show profile

Type the following command to connect to the Wi-Fi network and press Enter:

netsh wlan connect ssid=YOUR_WIFI_SSID name=PROFILE_NAME

In the command, remember to specify the SSID of the network and profile name with the network settings you’re trying to connect.

For example, this command connects to the tsunami network using the tsunami profile:

netsh wlan connect ssid=tsunami name=tsunami

Source: Windows Central

Quick Tip: If you have more than one wireless adapter, you must also specify in the command which adapter you want to use. Here’s an example of the command: netsh wlan connect ssid=YOUR_WIFI_SSID name=PROFILE_NAME interface=Wi-Fi .

After you complete the steps, the device will connect to the wireless network.

New network connection

On Windows 10, you can use the netsh command tool to manage wireless adapters and networks. However, it only allows connections to previously known networks, because you must specify a network profile, which you can’t create with the tool.

If you must use Command Prompt to connect one or multiple devices to the same Wi-Fi network, there’s a workaround you can use. You can export the network profile that was created automatically during the first connection, and then import it using netsh to connect to the wireless network.

Export Wi-Fi profile

To export a Wi-Fi profile on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

Type the following command to view the available network profiles and press Enter:

netsh wlan show profile

Type the following command to export a profile and press Enter:

netsh wlan export profile PROFILE-NAME key=clear folder=PATH\TO\EXPORT\FOLDER

For example, this command exports the tsunami profile to the Documents folder.

netsh wlan export profile tsunami key=clear folder=C:\Users\m\Documents

Source: Windows Central

Once you complete the steps, you can import the same XML file to connect other computers to the same network or reconnect your device if the profile is no longer available.

Import Wi-Fi profile

To import a Wi-Fi profile on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

Type the following command to determine the name of the network adapter and press Enter:

netsh wlan show interfaces

Type the following command to import the network profile and press Enter:

netsh wlan add profile filename=»PATH\TO\PROFILE.XML» Interface=»YOUR_WIFI_ADAPTER_NAME» user=current

In the command, make sure to specify the path to the XML file and interface name.

For example, this command imports the xml profile located in the Documents folder to the Wi-Fi adapter:

netsh wlan add profile filename=»C:\Users\m\Documents\wi-fi-tsunami.xml» Interface=»WI-FI» user=current

Source: Windows Central

Type the following command to connect to the wireless network and press Enter:

netsh wlan connect ssid=YOUR_WIFI_SSID name=PROFILE_NAME

In the command, make sure to specify the SSID and profile name.

For example, this command connects to an access point using the tsunami SSID and tsunami profile name:

netsh wlan connect ssid=tsunami name=tsunami

Quick Tip: If you have more than one wireless adapter, you must also specify in the command which adapter you want to use. For example, netsh wlan connect ssid=YOUR_WIFI_SSID name=PROFILE_NAME interface=Wi-Fi

After you complete the steps, the device should connect to the network automatically.

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How to manage wireless network connections on Windows 10

Although, for the most part, setting up a wired network connection on a Windows 10 device is as easy as plugging in an Ethernet cable, connecting using a wireless adapter requires some additional steps depending on the security of the network.

Windows 10’s Settings app that makes it super easy to manage many aspects of a Wi-Fi connection. Using the «Wi-Fi» page in the «Network & Security» section, you can connect and disconnect from a network, view configuration properties, change the network profile, manually add and remove network connections, set your connection as metered to reduce data usage on capped internet plans, and a lot more.

In this Windows 10 guide, we’ll walk you through many ways you can manage wireless network connections on your device using the Settings app.

How to connect to a Wi-Fi network

Connecting to a wireless network is an easy process, you only need to know the network you want to connect and the security key to authenticate (sometimes also referred as a Wi-Fi password).

1. Click the wireless icon in the notification area.
2. Select the network you want to connect.
3. Check the Connect automatically option.

Click the Connect button.

Click the Next button.

If the network flyout is not reporting any wireless network, you can try the steps shown below to turn off and on again Wi-Fi to see if that fixes the problem.

How to disconnect from a Wi-Fi network

Removing your device from a wireless network is also a straightforward process that can be done in a few different ways.

Disconnecting using the flyout menu

The easiest way to disconnect is using the network flyout menu.

1. Click the wireless icon in the notification area.
2. Select the network you’re currently connected.

Click the Disconnect button on the network connection.

Alternatively, you can click the quick action Wi-Fi button at the bottom to turn off the adapter and disconnect from the network using flyout menu.

Quick Tip: The same Wi-Fi button can also be found in the Action Center’s Quick Actions section (Windows key + A).

If you don’t select a schedule, then you’ll need to enable the adapter manually by clicking the Wi-Fi button again from the flyout menu. Also, note that using the flygout menu, it’s possible to turn on or off Airplane mode and Mobile hotspot.

Disconnecting using the Settings app

Alternatively, you can enable or disable Wi-Fi using the Settings app.

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Security.
3. Click on Wi-Fi.
4. Turn off the toggle switch for the adapter you want to disconnect.

Use the drop-down menu to select an option to turn on the wireless adapter on schedule.

How to view a Wi-Fi connection properties

Sometimes, in order to troubleshoot a problem or set up an application, you’ll need to know your network hardware information, such as network band, IP address, the name of the adapter and others. While there are a number of ways to find out this information, you can quickly identify these and other information about your wireless connection using the Settings app.

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Security.
3. Click on Wi-Fi.

Under the wireless network, click the Hardware properties link.

In the properties page, you’ll find information, such as SSID, protocol, security type, network band and channel, IP and MAC address.

How to connect to a Wi-Fi network on range automatically

If you didn’t select the option to connect to a wireless network automatically while setting up a new connection, or you enabled the option, but you don’t need the configuration anymore, it’s possible to control this feature using the Settings app.

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Security.
3. Click on Wi-Fi.

Click your current Wi-Fi connection.

Turn on or off the Connect automatically when in range option.

How to change the Wi-Fi connection network profile

In order to increase network security, starting with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, you can now more easily set your wireless connection as Private on a network you trust, or Public on the network you don’t trust, such as at a coffee shop or airport.

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Security.
3. Click on Wi-Fi.

Click your current Wi-Fi connection.

Under «Network profile,» select one of the two options:

• Public – makes your PC hidden from other devices on a public network and disables file and printer sharing.
• Private – makes your PC discoverable by other devices in a local network and allows them to use printer and file sharing (if it was configured).

If you’re not running the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, you’ll see a Make this PC discoverable option, which works in the same way as the options shown in the above steps (toggle switch off means Public, and toggle switch on means Private).

How to set a Wi-Fi connection as metered

Out of the box, Windows 10 has unlimited access to the internet to download system and app updates, sync settings across your devices, connect to cloud services, and to connect you to the mighty internet.

The problem is that if you’re on a limited internet connection, it’s possible to go over the data cap very quickly. A metered connection helps to reduce Windows 10’s data usage to prevent exceeding your data plan.

If you’re connected to a limited data plan, you can use the Settings app to set your wireless connection as metered.

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Security.
3. Click on Wi-Fi.

Click your current Wi-Fi connection.

Under «Metered connection,» turn on the Set as metered connection toggle switch.

After completing the steps, Windows 10 will only have restricted access to an internet connection, which also prevents it from downloading updates. However, some critical updates may download over this type of connection.

In addition, using a metered connection will prevent the Start menu from downloading Live Tiles updates, and some apps will no longer receive updates automatically.

How to add or remove Wi-Fi connections

Using the Settings app is also possible to add or remove a Wi-Fi network manually in those cases when you may need to connect to a network that doesn’t broadcast its SSID (Service Set Identifier), or when you need to set up a wireless connection beforehand to save time.

Adding a Wi-Fi network

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Security.
3. Click on Wi-Fi.

Click the Manage known networks link.

Click the Add a new network button.

Click Save.

Once you’ve completed the steps, whenever your device is within range of the network, it’ll connect automatically without any further steps.

Removing a Wi-Fi network

If you must remove (forget) a Wi-Fi network, the Settings app makes it a very straightforward process.

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Security.
3. Click on Wi-Fi.

Click the Manage known networks link.

Click the Forget button (there is no confirmation dialog using this button, so make sure that you really want Windows 10 to forget this connection before clicking the button).

After completing the steps, your device will no longer try to connect with the network you’ve removed.

How to manage wireless services

The Wi-Fi settings page also offers a few nifty features for users that are always on the move.

Wi-Fi services

Windows 10 offers two additional features to help you get connected no matter where you are located. If you turn on the Find paid plans for suggested open hotspots near me toggle switch, then you’ll be able to purchase data plans from the Windows Store form affiliated networks.

In addition, you can also turn on the Connect to suggested open hotspots toggle switch, which allows Windows 10 to connect automatically to open wireless networks, even connecting through landing pages thanks to a database of known networks.

While using suggested open hotspots is a good option, remember that some networks can be reliable but not secure.

Hotspot 2.0 networks

Hotspot 2.0 is a relatively new networking standard that makes connecting to public Wi-Fi networks a simple and secure process.

If you’re in a public place like at a coffee shop, airport, or hotel, Hotspot 2.0 will identify and connect to the right network automatically without having to go through a list of networks which can be fake or malicious.

Hotspot 2.0 networks is enabled by default on Windows 10, but if you’re planning to make use of this feature, you can go to Settings > Update & Security > Wi-Fi to make sure is enabled. You can also check this guide for more details.

Wrapping things up

While it’s now possible to configure many wireless options using the Settings app, Windows 10 has yet to include every networking feature in this experience. This means that to change some options, such as advanced network adapter settings, power management, and set up specific protocols, you still need to use Control Panel.

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