How to connect to a Wi-Fi network on Windows 10
Windows 10 allows you to connect to a wireless network in multiple ways, and in this guide, we’ll look at four of them.
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A Wi-Fi adapter eases the process of connecting your Windows 10 laptop or desktop to the network and internet without dealing with cables. However, it’s only convenient if you know where to find the settings.
Whether setting up a device for the first time, connecting in a new place, or looking for an efficient method to connect multiple computers to the same network,Windows 10offers multiple ways to connect to the internet using a Wi-Fi connection quickly.
In this Windows 10 guide, we will walk you through the steps to connect to a Wi-Fi network using the network flyout in Taskbar, Settings, Control Panel, and command lines with Command Prompt.
How to connect to Wi-Fi network using Taskbar
To connect to a Wi-Fi network through the taskbar on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the laptop will connect to the network using the Wi-Fi connection.
Reconnect automatically
In addition, Windows 10 also offers an option to reconnect the device automatically after disconnecting the adapter manually.
To set the Wi-Fi adapter to reconnect automatically, use these steps:
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After you complete the steps, Windows 10 won’t try to connect to a wireless connection until the time you selected. When using this functionality, the device will only connect automatically to previously known networks.
How to connect to Wi-Fi network using Settings
Using “Network & Security” settings, you can also add wireless connections manually, and then when the network is in range, the laptop will connect automatically.
To prevision a Wi-Fi connection on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the device will connect automatically when the wireless network is in range.
How to connect to Wi-Fi network using Control Panel
To connect to a Wi-Fi network with Control Panel, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the computer will automatically connect to the Wi-Fi network.
How to connect to Wi-Fi network using Command Prompt
How to connect to Wi-Fi network using Command Prompt
Alternatively, you can also use thenetshcommand-line tool in Command Prompt to connect to a Wi-Fi network.
To connect to a Wi-Fi access point with commands, use these steps:
In the command, remember to specify the name (SSID) of the network and profile name with your network settings. For example, this command connects to the “tsunami” network using the “tsunami” profile:netsh wlan connect ssid=tsunami name=tsunami.
After you complete the steps, the device will connect to the wireless network.
New network connection
The netsh tool also lets youmanage Wi-Fi adapters and networks. The only caveat is that you can only manage previously known networks since you cannot create new network profiles with this tool.
When you need to use Command Prompt to connect one or multiple computers to the same wireless network, you can export the network profile created automatically during the first connection. Then you can import it using the netsh tool to connect using the command-line tool.
Export Wi-Fi profile
To export a Wi-Fi profile with commands, use these steps:
For example, this command exports the tsunami profile to the “Documents” folder:netsh wlan export profile tsunami key=clear folder=C:\Users\m\Documents.
Once you complete the steps, you can import the same XML file to connect other devices to the same network.
Import Wi-Fi profile
To import a Wi-Fi profile on Windows 10, use these steps:
In the command, make sure to specify the location of the XML file and network interface name. For example, this command imports the xml profile located in the “Documents” folder to the Wi-Fi adapter:netsh wlan add profile filename=“C:\Users\m\Documents\wi-fi-tsunami.xml” Interface=“WI-FI” user=current.
In the command, specify the SSID and profile name that corresponds to your network. For example, this command connects to an access point using the “tsunami” SSID and “tsunami” profile name:netsh wlan connect ssid=tsunami name=tsunami.
After you complete the steps, the computer should connect to the wireless network automatically.
More Windows resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
