Interacting with the network icon on your Windows laptop or PC reveals multiple available Wi-Fi networks. However, this can lead to a cluttered pop-up filled with unwanted access points, making it difficult to find your preferred connection. Moreover, some of these networks may be open and unencrypted, posing security risks. This comprehensive guide will empower you with various methods to block and allow specific Wi-Fi networks on your Windows device.
Blocking Wi-Fi Networks in Windows
While Windows does not directly allow blocking networks through the Settings app or Control Panel, there are straightforward methods you can employ to achieve this.
Method 1: Using Command Prompt to Block One Wi-Fi Network
The Command Prompt is a powerful tool for managing your Wi-Fi settings. With it, you can quickly remove unneeded networks by using their SSID (Service Set Identifier).
- Begin by searching for “Command Prompt” (or “cmd”) in the Windows search menu. Right-click on it and select Run as Administrator.
- To find the SSIDs you might want to block, click on the network icon in the taskbar and select the Manage Wi-Fi connections arrow. This will display a list of available Wi-Fi connections in your vicinity.
Next, type in the command below in your Command Prompt window to block the desired network. Make sure to replace “Wi-Fi Network Name” with the actual network name.
After executing the command, you should see a confirmation message stating: “The filter is added on the system successfully.” You can repeat this command for each network you wish to block, entering them one by one.
Blocked networks will no longer appear in your network connections pop-up, effectively improving your user experience. To verify, navigate to Settings -> Network & Internet -> Wi-Fi -> Show available networks. You should see that the blacklisted SSID is gone.
Method 2: Command Prompt for Bulk Blocking of Wi-Fi Networks
For a more efficient approach to managing Wi-Fi networks, you can block multiple networks at once. This is particularly useful if you want to simplify your list of connections significantly.
Enter the elevated command prompt again and type the following command. Before pressing Enter, note the SSID of the network you are currently connected to, as this command will disconnect you from it.
Now, start adding exceptions for the networks you want to retain access to, beginning with the current one. Ensure you replace “Wi-Fi SSID” with the actual names of the networks you want to permit:
With this bulk command, your Wi-Fi icon will appear much less cluttered, allowing only the connections you intend to use to show up.
If you forget to note the SSID of your current connection, you can always check it by accessing your router’s dashboard on another device or using your mobile hotspot as a reference.
Note: It’s best to use this bulk “deny all” method only when near trusted networks, such as your home router, to avoid losing connectivity while on the go.
Method 3: Managing Known Networks
As you use various Wi-Fi networks, the SSIDs get saved on your device, and irrelevant ones may linger long after they’re no longer needed. You can clean up your device by permanently deleting these from the list.
Navigate to Settings -> Network & Internet -> Wi-Fi -> Manage known networks. Here, you can select Forget for any Wi-Fi network you no longer wish to see on your device.
Allowing Wi-Fi Networks
Just as you can block undesired Wi-Fi networks, you can also allow them back into your connection list. The techniques used mirror those applied in blocking configurations.
Method 1: Allowing One Wi-Fi Network via Command Prompt
To remove a specific network from the block list, reopen the Command Prompt and utilize the following command, replacing “Wi-Fi Network Name” with the exact name of the blocked network:
Once the command executes successfully, the previously blocked SSID should reappear in your network connections.
If you’re uncertain about the SSID name, input the command shown below. This will list both allowed and blocked Wi-Fi networks:
Method 2: Bulk Allowing Wi-Fi Networks
If you previously utilized the “deny all”command to block all Wi-Fi networks, you can revoke that setting easily. Just enter the command below in the elevated Command Prompt:
This command will eliminate the “deny all”filter, re-enabling access to all Wi-Fi networks, including those you previously allowed as exceptions.
Method 3: Undoing Forgotten Wi-Fi Networks
To retrieve forgotten Wi-Fi networks on your Windows device, simply restart the device while remaining near the deleted SSID. Upon reconnection, you’ll need to enter the password for it to be saved again.
If this does not work, you can perform a network reset. One effective way to achieve this is by executing ipconfig/flushDNS, which refreshes the network stack and can help reconnect your device with previously blocked Wi-Fi networks.
Managing Wi-Fi networks effectively is crucial, especially to avoid the interference of other users’ networks with your primary connection. If you are facing slow Wi-Fi issues, consider exploring methods to restore optimal Internet speed.
Image credit: DALL-E 3. All screenshots by Sayak Boral.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know if a Wi-Fi network is blocked?
If a Wi-Fi network is successfully blocked, it will no longer appear in the list of available networks in the Windows settings. You can verify this by navigating to Settings -> Network & Internet -> Wi-Fi -> Show available networks.
2. Can I block multiple Wi-Fi networks at once?
Yes, you can block multiple networks simultaneously by using the “deny all”command in the Command Prompt and then specifying exceptions for the networks you want to allow.
3. What if I forget the SSID of my current Wi-Fi network?
If you forget the SSID, you can check your router’s admin dashboard from another device or use a mobile device to identify the name of the Wi-Fi network.
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