How to Forget a WiFi Network on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Forgetting a WiFi Network on Windows 11: Real Aussie style

So, forgetting a WiFi network on Windows 11 isn’t some fancy techy thing only IT nerds do. It’s dead handy for keeping your device’s connections in check. Maybe you’ve got an old network still hanging around that you don’t even use anymore, or you want to stop your laptop from jumping onto dodgy public WiFi. Sounds easy enough until you end up lost in Settings like you’re in a maze. No worries, mate — there’s a fair dinkum way to get through all that without pulling your hair out.

Why’s It Worth Forgetting Networks?

Here’s the crack: sometimes your PC just won’t let go of those forgotten networks. It keeps trying to connect, causing a bit of a headache with your internet. Or maybe you once happily logged onto a café WiFi and now your laptop’s got nostalgia for it. Forgetting those networks can sort out connection dramas or just clear up that long list of Wi-Fis you’re never gunna use again.

How to Find Your Way in Windows 11

First off, open Settings. Click on Start and look for that little gear icon — yep, Windows loves making things just a tiny bit tricky. If the Start menu is chock-full, you might miss it at first. But no worries — you can also hit Windows key + I and be straight in.

Getting into Network & Internet Settings

Inside Settings, find Network & internet. It’s basically the hub for all your connection stuff. Not sure why they named it that? Neither is anyone else. Anyway, once you’re in, select Wi-Fi from the sidebar. This is your Wi-Fi playground where all the magic happens.

Accessing Manage Known Networks

Here’s the good bit — look for Manage known networks. It’s like the secret club for all the WiFi your device remembers. The list can get pretty wild if you’re someone who hops around WiFi networks like it’s a party. Kinda annoying, right? A quick tip: you can also get there by searching for ms-settings:network-wifi in the Settings search bar.

Forget the Network for Good

Once you’re in Manage known networks, scroll through until you see the network you want to say goodbye to. Click on it, then hit the big Forget button. Done and dusted! Your device won’t try reconnecting anymore. Just beware — sometimes people forget networks they might want back later, which can be a pain when they pop up again.

If clicking around isn’t your thing, you can also do it via PowerShell. Open PowerShell as an admin and run:

netsh wlan delete profile name="NetworkName"

Make sure to swap out NetworkName with the exact name of the network — case-sensitive, so watch out. Want to see all your profiles first? Just run:

netsh wlan show profiles

After all that, your device might still remember some basic settings, but it won’t keep trying to connect unless you tell it to again.

Heads up: Sometimes forgetting a network doesn’t go to plan. Folks forget to hit “Forget,” and then it’s a headache when the network stubbornly pops up again. Or Windows just caches stuff — typical, right?

Managing Your WiFi the Easy Way

If you’ve got the hang of clearing out old networks, it’s a good idea to give your WiFi names a bit of a Aussie twist. Changing network names can be done through your router’s setup page — usually by bunging in its IP address in your browser (like http://192.168.1.1). Gives you a bit more control and saves confusion down the line. Plus, a good clean-up of your saved networks makes life easier, especially if you’re swapping between setups at home or in the share house.

If you forget a network and then think, “Oops, I wanted that,” reconnecting is dead easy — just find it in the Wi-Fi list and punch in the password again. No dramas.

Quick Tips to Manage WiFi:

• Click the Wi-Fi icon in the bottom right corner of the taskbar, right-click on the network you want to ditch, and select Forget. Too easy!

FAQs About Forgetting WiFi Networks

• Can I reconnect after forgetting a network?
  Absolutely. Just pick it from the list of available WiFis and put in the password again.

• Does forgetting a network wipe all my settings?
  Yep, it clears out saved passwords and connection info. You’ll need to put all that in again later.

• Are there limits on how many networks I can forget?
  No worries, mate — forget as many as you want!

• Will this bugger up my other devices?
  Nope. Forgetting a network only affects that specific Windows 11 setup.

• Can I set which networks my device connects to first?
  Not directly, but you can manage your known networks. If you’re keen, have a look at the netsh wlan set profileorder command for some fine-tuning.

So, in summary — head to Settings, select Network & internet, go to Wi-Fi, find Manage known networks, click on the network you want gone, and smash that Forget button. Or, if you’re into the CLI, jump into PowerShell and run that delete command. Fair dinkum, it’s easy as. Keeps your list tidy and your connection smooth as.

And reconnecting? No worries — just find the network in the list, pop in your password, and you’re away. The trick’s really knowing where all this junk lives in the Settings — might take a couple of goes, but anyone can get there with a bit of patience. Regularly tidying up your saved networks isn’t just good bloke behaviour — it makes sure your device stays in control of who it hangs out with.