Windows 10: How can I get Windows 10 to keep the known networks separate for multiple WiFi adapters?

This is a duplicate of a previous question I asked that was never answered but has been locked for further discussion. i have added a bit more detail since the only person who responded to my previous question could not figure out what was actually being asked.For many years I have had Windows 10 setup so that the integrated WiFi adapter in my laptop is used to connect to various DHCP networks for internet access, while a 2nd USB WiFi dongle is used with a static IP address exclusively to connect to a wireless access point that I use to communicate with various air gapped networks for troubles

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How can I get Windows 10 to keep the known networks separate for multiple WiFi adapters?

Thank you for responding, but this does not answer the question. Once upon a time Windows 10 would remember which adapter I used to connect to a particular WiFi network and would not do so from any other adapter. The network settings and credentials were clearly kept separate, just as they still appear to be now but actually are not any longer as I have proven through frustrating troubleshooting.

This is a very basic functionality which quite recently broke, and I am looking for how to fix that. There is no need for advanced networking steps or bridging. When the correct adapters are connected to their appropriate networks, my system still works as it should. The issue is that Windows no longer predictably or reliably connects as directed and instead switches the networks around at random without user input, breaking communication on both adapters until I realize that it messed everything up in the background and manually force them back, which could become a critical issue if it happens in the middle of a hardware firmware update, for example.

 

How can I get Windows 10 to keep the known networks separate for multiple WiFi adapters?

Hello, JJKocher

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

You may consider bridging. By bridging, you can connect two WiFi adapters to the same network, allowing them to share the network connection while maintaining their respective configurations and settings. This way, you can use one adapter to connect to a DHCP network and the other adapter to connect to a static IP network without interfering with each other.

To bridge the connections, you can follow the steps outlined here: How to bridge WiFi with Ethernet in Windows 10? - Microsoft Community

Please note that bridging may require administrator privileges and can interrupt the network connection during the process. Make sure to save any unsaved work before bridging and inform other users sharing the network in advance.

Additionally, bridging within a corporate network may require specific permissions and settings. If you are within a company network, it is advisable to consult with the network administrator before proceeding. They may require detailed information and reasons to assess whether bridging is allowed.

If bridging the network doesn't work for you and you need further assistance, feel free to continue asking your questions here: Windows 10 Network - Microsoft Q&A. This is a community dedicated to discussing advanced networking technologies. Your questions on Microsoft Community will remain available for others to participate in the discussion.

Yuhao Li

Microsoft Community Technical Support

 

How can I get Windows 10 to keep the known networks separate for multiple WiFi adapters?

For many years I have had Windows 10 setup so that the integrated WiFi adapter in my laptop is used to connect to various DHCP networks for internet access, while a 2nd USB WiFi dongle is used with a static IP address exclusively to connect to a wireless access point that I use to communicate with various air gapped networks for troubleshooting and maintenance.

This has always been quite easy to do. I only join my WAP SSID from WiFi 2, and so it has appeared as the only 'Known Network' under that adapter and is set to auto connect, and all other networks only autoconnect from WiFi 1.

At some point in the last 6 months or so, Windows stopped working this way, and now every network I connect to, both wireless cards try to use it, apparently at random and incoherent fashion, with infuriating results since the DHCP and Static settings guarantee that nothing works approximately 50% of the time. If I 'Forget' the network under the settings for one wireless card, it is forgotten under the other one as well. Is there some new setting that has been introduced that I can use to return my system to rational behavior?