Windows 10: How can I disable auto-connecting to unknown open wifi networks?

I see this question asked a lot, and I see the same answer posted a lot as well.


Here's the scenario. I have a secure wifi network at home. I have a desktop running windows 10. My desktop doesn't go traveling with me and there is no need for it to ever connect to a different wifi network.


However... I come home from work and I boot up my PC and rather than connecting to my currently available and secured home wifi network, Windows decides that a new wifi network named COXWIFI would be preferable even though I've never connected to COXWIFI before. COXWIFI is an open and unsecured wifi network.


So, while I am usually safer than this, I begin logging into some of my accounts before I realize I have no internet connection. I check the modem and my router, and then have my "0h-%$^#" moment and run back to my computer to check my wifi connection. Sure enough, it's done it again. I disconnect, and reboot, connect to my correct wifi network, and then reset passwords for the accounts I logged into.


The answer that I typically see to this question is how to disable auto-connection to KNOWN networks, That's not what I want to do here. I want to stop my computer from EVER connecting to an unsecured wifi connection. EVER.


I've spent hours searching and maybe I'm just not using the right search criteria, but I can't seem to find an answer on how to stop this from happening.

:)

 

Cannot disable auto-connect on Wifi

I did try the other options including the command line. Only the wifi network that I was actively connected to showed up in the command line. The other ones, the ones that don't let me uncheck "auto" in the taskbar, they did not show up in the command line. How can I get the networks in the picture to show up in the command prompt? What steps would I use to disable the auto-connect from there?

 

disabling the auto-connecting of unknown networks!

I give up... thank you for your `help`._)

And it is a pity you cannot access the link (remove 'ref:')

In any case, a quick search leads to dozens of similar threads reporting the issue.

On page 9 of another long thread, an apparently savvy user has something to say that represents me and my frustration.

I give up.

source:

Cannot turn off 'automatically connect' option on WIFI connections

 

disabling the auto-connecting of unknown networks!

My Wifi home network is going down all the time, because whatever unknown Wifi Connection can take the lead, as they are all marked as `Automatically` BUT mine. Every time I click on them one by one to uncheck `automatically connect`, seconds later, they
are again all marked as default BUT mine.

Because they are Unknown, I cannot use go to Settings and forget them, nor I can chose to disable automatic connection, apparently.

This is causing me interruption in meetings and important online tasks with clients, and it has been like this for 2 weeks now.

I find unbelievable that I dont have an option to simply block a network, and no other options under WiFi right panel besides check/uncheck for Connect Automatically! And there is no clear section to deal with unknown connections. In my case they are many
in my building, all competing with mine, which for mysterious reason is the only one that do not stay checked but it is unchecked all the time.

What is the solution for this? I see question dating back to 2015 with similar issues.. and no clear solution, really?