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6 Effective Methods to Forget a Wi-Fi Network in Windows 11

2024/08/09
PC Repair

Key Notes

  • Easily forget networks using Quick Settings or Settings app.
  • Use Command Prompt or PowerShell for advanced network management.
  • Delete all saved networks quickly using terminal commands.

Ultimate Guide: How to Forget Wi-Fi Networks on Windows 11

Managing your Wi-Fi connections is crucial for maintaining privacy and ensuring a hassle-free experience. This guide provides effective methods to forget Wi-Fi networks you no longer wish to connect to on your Windows 11 device.

How to Forget Wi-Fi Networks and Network Profiles

There are several simple methods to effectively forget Wi-Fi networks saved on your Windows 11 PC, ranging from intuitive settings to command-line options. Let’s explore these methods step by step.

Method 1: Forget a Network Within Range from Quick Settings

Access your Wi-Fi connections quickly via Quick Settings to forget networks you’ve connected to before.

  1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray.
  2. Select the arrow next to your Wi-Fi connection.
  3. Right-click on the desired network and choose Forget.

Pro Tip: You can only forget networks that you have previously connected to.

Method 2: Forget a Saved Network from the Settings App

If the network is no longer in range, use the Settings app to remove it.

  1. Right-click the Wi-Fi icon and select Network and Internet settings.
  2. Under Wi-Fi, click on Manage known networks.
  3. Locate the network you wish to delete and click Forget.

Method 3: Forget a Network from Command Prompt

Command Prompt provides a quick method to forget networks.

  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Type: netsh wlan show profiles and press Enter to list saved networks.
  3. Use: netsh wlan delete profile name='network name' to delete the specific profile.

Method 4: Forget a Network from PowerShell

The steps for PowerShell are similar to Command Prompt.

  1. Open PowerShell as an administrator.
  2. Enter: netsh wlan show profiles to see your saved profiles.
  3. Then use: netsh wlan delete profile name="network name" to delete the network profile.

Method 5: Delete All Known Network Profiles Instantly from the Command Prompt

To clear all saved networks, use this command:

  1. Open Command Prompt and enter: netsh wlan delete profile name=* i=*.
  2. Press Enter to remove all saved networks.

Pro Tip: This will delete all saved Wi-Fi networks, be sure before executing.

Method 6: Remove Network Profiles from the Registry Editor

For advanced users, network profiles can also be deleted from the registry:

  1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
  2. Navigate to: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Profiles.
  3. Right-click the profile you want to delete and select Delete.

Pro Tip: Editing the registry can cause issues if done incorrectly; proceed with caution.

Summary

Mastering the management of your Wi-Fi networks on Windows 11 is essential for device security and user control. This guide offers various methods to forget saved networks, ensuring you can quickly and efficiently tailor your connections.

Conclusion

Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge to forget Wi-Fi networks on Windows 11, you can maintain your privacy and security with ease. Take control of your network profiles today and modify them according to your preferences.

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