Top 3 Ways to Stop Windows 11 From Automatically Connecting to a Wi-Fi Network

Windows 11 is designed to make life easy—sometimes too easy. One feature that can be more annoying than helpful is its habit of automatically connecting to known Wi-Fi networks, even when you don’t want it to. Whether you’re trying to save battery, troubleshoot a network issue, or simply don’t trust a certain hotspot anymore, here’s how to stop Windows 11 from jumping back on.

1. Disable Auto-Connect for a Specific Network

If there’s just one network you want to avoid, this is the cleanest fix.

Here’s how:

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar.
2. Select “Manage known networks” under your connected network.
3. Find the network you want to stop auto-connecting to.
4. Click it and turn off “Connect automatically when in range.”

Done. Your PC won’t latch onto that network unless you manually connect.

2. Forget the Network Entirely

If you’re sure you won’t use a network again, forget it completely.

Steps:

1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
2. Click “Manage known networks.”
3. Find the network and click “Forget.”

Windows erases the saved login and settings for that network. It won’t reconnect again unless you re-enter the password manually.

3. Use Command Prompt for a Quick Fix

Prefer a command-line solution or need to automate this? The Command Prompt has your back.

Try this:

1. Press Win + S, type cmd, and right-click Command Prompt > Run as administrator.
2. Type the following command to stop auto-connect for a specific network:

netsh wlan set profileparameter name="NetworkName" connectionmode=manual

Replace "NetworkName" with the actual name of your Wi-Fi network.

This tells Windows to only connect when you explicitly say so—no more surprises.

Final Thought

Stopping auto-connect gives you more control over your network behavior, improves security, and can help you avoid weak or unwanted hotspots. Use one of these methods—whichever fits your situation best—and you’re good to go.

Need help managing multiple networks or setting up custom profiles? Drop a comment below and I’ll cover that in a future post.

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!