How to Forget a Network on Windows 11
So, you want to ditch a Wi-Fi network on Windows 11, eh? Fair dinkum, it’s pretty straightforward, and it can save you heaps of trouble—especially when your device keeps trying to connect to a dodgy network or your saved Wi-Fi list becomes a cluttered mess. Forgetting a network basically tells Windows, “Don’t bother with this one anymore.” Slightly subtle, but dead handy.
Let’s get straight into it: it’s not too tricky, but a few clicks are involved. Here’s the gist to keep your Wi-Fi connections neat and tidy.
First up, open the Settings app. You can do this by clicking that Windows icon on the taskbar—the one that looks like a flag—and then selecting the gear icon. Alternatively, hit Windows + I if you’re into shortcuts. Or just type “Settings” in the Start menu search bar, and off you go.
Now, on the left side of the Settings menu—where it can feel a bit like wandering through a maze—find and click on “Network & Internet.” This is basically the hub for all your internet settings. For a quicker option, right-click the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar and select “Network & Internet settings,” or type ms-settings:network into the Run dialog (Windows + R).
In the Network & Internet section, click on “Wi-Fi.” Now it gets a bit more interesting. You’ll see options to turn Wi-Fi on or off and manage your saved networks. To find the list of your known networks, look for a link called “Manage known networks.” It’s usually at the bottom of the Wi-Fi settings—don’t skip it.
Clicking that, you’ll see all the networks your device has ever connected to. Chances are, it’s pretty full-up. Time for a bit of a tidy-up. Just click on the network you want to forget, and a “Forget” button should pop up. Or, you can right-click on the network name and select “Forget.” Easy as.
If you’re feeling a bit cheeky, there’s also a command-line way to handle this. Open PowerShell as an admin and run netsh wlan show profiles to see all your saved Wi-Fi spots. To delete one, run:
netsh wlan delete profile name="NetworkName"Just swap out "NetworkName" with the SSID you want gone. Once done, your PC won’t keep trying to connect—that’s a win when you’re juggling multiple networks.
Fair crack of the whip—sometimes it takes a couple of tries to get it right, especially if you’re not used to Windows 11 quirks. But it’s worth the effort. Just double-check the network name before you wipe it, or you might accidentally lose one you still need. Keeping your Wi-Fi list clean keeps things safer and less buggy, especially after updates or if random connections start acting up.
If you wanna reconnect later, just find the network among the available ones and punch in the password—that’s easy as. Forgot the password? No worries, you can retrieve it with:
netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clearLook for Key Content to find the password.
One quick tip: tidying up known networks regularly helps with both your security and connection stability. Sometimes updates can cause weird issues, and forgetting and reconnecting can sort out those pesky bugs that pop up out of the blue.
Got Questions? You’re Not Bloody Alone
Here are some FAQs you might find useful:
Why bother forgetting a network at all?
Keeping a messy list can lead to your device trying to connect to dodgy Wi-Fi spots or untrusted networks. Doing it clean saves connection drama and heaps of security risks. A tidy list is just smarter.
Can I reconnect to a forgotten network?
Absolutely. Just find it in the available networks, select it, and punch in the password again. If you’ve forgotten the password, check your saved passwords or use that command from earlier to grab it.
Does forgetting a network on one device affect my other gadgets?
Nah, not at all. Forgetting a network on your PC only affects that device. Your phone or tablet stays connected unless you do the same there too.
Can I forget loads of networks at once?
Nah, you’ll have to do it one by one—that’s just how it is. If you’re a bit handy with scripting, you might be able to automate it, but normally, it’s a bit of a chore.
Is there a way to undo forgetting a network?
Nah, once it’s gone, it’s gone. You’ll need to set it up again from scratch if you want to reconnect later.
Fretting over forgotten networks might seem minor, but keeping your Wi-Fi list in check can save heaps of time and hassle. Hope this helps you keep your connection game smooth as.