Wireless - Managing network profiles in Windows 8.1
Action
Some functions for managing wireless network profiles have been removed from the graphical interface of Windows 8.1, instead, only being accessible via command prompt. To work around this, there are three main options, outlined below.
Instructions
PC Settings
If you need to change a wireless connection profile, you can usually do it by following these steps:
- Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings
(If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.) - Tap or click Network, tap or click Connections, and then tap or click the connection you want to change
- On the page that appears, make the changes you want
You can also view details of the connection here.
Network and Sharing Center
Certain settings are available by opening Network and Sharing Center (search or navigate through Control Panel), then clicking on the connected network's name on the right.
Command prompt
Some tasks, such as deleting a profile, must be done at the command prompt. To do these tasks, open Command Prompt, and then type the appropriate command from the following table.
Open Command Prompt by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering "Command Prompt" in the search box, and then tapping or clicking Command Prompt
Task | Instructions |
|---|---|
Delete a profile | At the command prompt, type: netsh wlan delete profile name="ProfileName" |
Show all wireless profiles on the PC | At the command prompt, type: netsh wlan show profiles |
Show a security key | At the command prompt, type: netsh wlan show profile name="ProfileName" key=clear |
Move a network up in the priority list | Connecting to a new network and choosing Connect automatically will place it at the top of the list. |
Stop automatically connecting to a network within range | Tap or click the network in the network list, and then click Disconnect. |
Stop automatically connecting to a network that's out of range | At the command prompt, type: netsh wlan set profileparameter name="ProfileName" connectionmode=manual |
Additional Information
This article is based on Microsoft's article at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/manage-wireless-network-profiles.