Windows 10: WiFi attempts to automatically connect to unknown networks

I've seen other people ask this same exact question as far back as 2013 and it appears Microsoft are well aware of thissecurity flaw and have no interest in addressing it as I've yet to find a response which resolves this. Many replies don't even appear to comprehend the question being asked!


For fun* I shall "bump the thread" as it were:

*it's not actually fun at all​

My Windows 10 laptop has a tick in the "Connect automatically" box for every single WiFi network which is within range for me.


I un-tick the "Connect automatically" box yet when I check to confirm this choice has been appliedI find the "Connect automatically" box is ticked again.


There is apparently no way to tell my computer to not automatically attempt connections to any network other than my own. This is completely backwards, asthe only network I do want to automatically connect to is my own one.


Apart from being a significant security risk, this also causes frustrating regular disconnects from games as it periodically briefly disconnects from my own network in order to attempt to connect to these.


My question is - how can I switch off WiFi auto-connect altogether?

I don't mind if that means I have to manually type my WiFi password every time. It would be well worth the supposed hassle of typing a few characters to know that my operating system isn't trying to connect to any other and especially unknown networks.


It's clear from the amount of time this issue has existed that Microsoft aren't interested in fixing this but I'm wondering if any geniuses out there have figured out a way to shore up this security risk other than switching off WiFi and using a cabled LAN instead which I'm aware is actually the better option for both security and performance...

:)

 

Device attempts to connect to all UNKNOWN and KNOWN networks within range via "connect automatically"

Hi Jon,

I checked the registry values you suggested and the only network listed under the profiles is my home network.

The issue appears to be a misunderstanding on my part of how the connect automatically feature is written for the GUI.

It seems the "connect automatically" box is checked by default for all password protected networks to save clicks on the users end.

I may have a different unknown issue as to why I am having issues automatically connecting to my home network.

Thank you very much for your response.

 

Windows 10: Disable automatic connection of a wireless network

I am experiencing the same issue. Every detected wifi network/signal in my vicinity is picked up and 'Connect Automatically' is checked by default for all. Whether I uncheck the 'Connect Automatically' for all of these unknown networks by clicking on the
wifi icon in the task bar, or via Settings/Network & Internet/wifi settings screen the selection does not save. The very next time I view the list of wifi networks, 'Connect Automatically' is checked again for
every wifi network in the list.

 

Connect to a WiFi network automatically

Hi everyone!

I was wondering if I could connect to a WiFi network (A) automatically even though I'm already connected to another WiFi network (B). The thing is, that network A is very unstable but is faster than B, and when A goes down, Windows 10 connects automatically
to B. But can Windows 10 reconnect to network A when it goes up again?

I already modified the network priorities so that A is first and B is second on the list.

Thanks!