How to connect to a Wi-Fi network on Windows 10

A Wi-Fi adapter makes information technology convenient to connect your Windows 10 laptop or desktop to the network and internet without dealing with cables. Still, it's only convenient every bit long as you lot know where to find the settings to connect.

Whether you're setting up a device for the starting time time, connecting in a new identify, or if you're looking for an efficient method to connect multiple devices to the same network, Windows 10 offers various ways to connect to the internet using a Wi-Fi connection speedily.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you lot through the steps to connect to a Wi-Fi network using the network flyout in Taskbar, Settings, Control Panel and using command lines with Control Prompt.

How to connect to Wi-Fi network using Taskbar
How to connect to Wi-Fi network using Settings
How to connect to Wi-Fi network using Control Panel
How to connect to Wi-Fi network using Control Prompt

How to connect to Wi-Fi network using Taskbar

To connect to a Wi-Fi network through the taskbar, utilise these steps:

Click the Network icon in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar.

Quick annotation: Alternatively, you can open Action Centre (Windows central + A), and so click the Network button in the Quick actions section to admission the network flyout. If y'all don't see the button, click the up arrow button on the left.
Select the wireless network to connect.
(Optional) Cheque the Connect automatically option.
Click the Connect push button.

Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: If you do not see whatsoever wireless admission point in the list, click the Wi-Fi button to plough on the adapter.
Confirm the network security key (countersign).

Source: Windows Central
Click the Next button.
Confirm whether the device should be discoverable in the network by other PCs.

Once yous complete the steps, the laptop will connect to the network using the Wi-Fi connection.

Reconnect automatically

In add-on, Windows ten also offers an option to reconnect the device automatically after disconnecting the adapter manually.

To set the Wi-Fi adapter to reconnect automatically on Windows 10, use these steps:

Click the network icon in the system tray.
Click the Wi-Fi button to turn off wireless connectivity.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Employ the drop-downward menu and select when to re-connect automatically:
- Manually.
- In one hr.
- In four hours.
- In one twenty-four hour period.
Source: Windows Cardinal

After you complete the steps, Windows 10 won't endeavour to connect to a wireless connection until the time yous selected. When using this functionality, the device volition just connect automatically to the networks yous accept connected to in the past.

How to connect to Wi-Fi network using Settings

Using "Network & Security" settings, you tin can likewise add wireless connections manually, and and so when the network is in range, the device will connect automatically.

To prevision a Wi-Fi connection on Windows ten, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Network & Security.
Click on Wi-Fi.
Click the Manage known networks option.

Source: Windows Primal
Click the Add together a new network push.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Confirm the name of the network.
Utilise the drop-down carte du jour to select the Security type – For example, WPA2-Personal AES.
Confirm the network security key (password).

Source: Windows Primal
Bank check the Connect automatically option.
Cheque the Connect fifty-fifty if this network is not broadcasting option (if required).
Click the Save push.

One time you lot complete the steps, the device volition 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 Console, use these steps:

Open Control Panel.
Click on Network and Net.
Click on Network and Sharing Heart.
Under the "Change your networking settings" department, click the Gear up a new connection or network option.

Source: Windows Central
Select the Manually connect to a wireless network choice.

Source: Windows Key
Click the Next push.
Confirm the network name.
Use the drop-downward carte to select the Security blazon — for example, WPA2-Personal.
Ostend the network security key (password).
Cheque the Start this connexion automatically choice.
(Optional) Check the Connect fifty-fifty if the network is not dissemination option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Next button.
Click the Close push button.

One time y'all complete the steps, the laptop, tablet, or desktop will automatically connect to the Wi-Fi network.

How to connect to Wi-Fi network using Command Prompt

Alternatively, you tin can also employ the netsh command-line tool in Command Prompt to connect to a Wi-Fi network.

To connect to a Wi-Fi access point with commands, apply these steps:

Open Offset.
Search for Command Prompt, correct-click the meridian result, and select the Run as ambassador option.
Blazon the following command to view the available network profiles and press Enter:

netsh wlan testify profile
Confirm the Wi-Fi network contour with your preferred settings.
Blazon the following control to connect to the wireless network on Windows 10 and press Enter:

netsh wlan connect ssid=YOUR-WIFI-SSID name=PROFILE-Proper name

In the command, remember to specify the name (SSID) of the network and profile name with your network settings.

For example, this control connects to the "tsunami" network using the "seismic sea wave" contour:

netsh wlan connect ssid=seismic sea wave name=tsunami

Source: Windows Fundamental

Quick Tip: On devices with more than one wireless adapter, y'all must also specify in the command which adapter you desire to use. For case,: netsh wlan connect ssid=YOUR-WIFI-SSID name=PROFILE-NAME interface=Wi-Fi.

Subsequently you complete the steps, the device will connect to the wireless network.

New network connection

The netsh tool too lets you manage 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 employ Command Prompt to connect one or multiple computers to the aforementioned wireless network, y'all tin consign 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, utilise these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top event, and select the Run as administrator option.
Type the following control to view the available network profiles and press Enter:

netsh wlan show profile
Type the following command to export a profile and press Enter:

netsh wlan export contour Contour-Proper noun central=clear folder=PATH\TO\Consign\Binder

For example, this command exports the tsunami profile to the "Documents" folder.

netsh wlan consign profile tsunami key=clear folder=C:\Users\m\Documents

Source: Windows Central

Once you complete the steps, you can import the same XML file to connect other devices to the aforementioned network.

Import Wi-Fi contour

To import a Wi-Fi profile on Windows 10, utilise these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Control Prompt, correct-click the top result, and select the Run equally administrator choice.
Type the following command to determine the proper noun of the network adapter and press Enter:

netsh wlan bear witness interfaces
Confirm the proper noun of the adapter that volition connect to the network.
Type the following command to import the network profile and press Enter:

netsh wlan add together profile filename="PATH\TO\PROFILE.XML" Interface="YOUR-WIFI-ADAPTER-NAME" user=electric current

In the command, brand sure to specify the location of the XML file and network interface proper noun.

For case, this command imports the xml profile located in the "Documents" binder to the Wi-Fi adapter:

netsh wlan add contour filename="C:\Users\thousand\Documents\wi-fi-tsunami.xml" Interface="WI-FI" user=electric current

Source: Windows Fundamental
Blazon the following command to connect to the wireless network and press Enter:

netsh wlan connect ssid=YOUR-WIFI-SSID proper noun=Contour-NAME

In the command, specify the SSID and contour name that corresponds to your network.

For instance, this command connects to an access bespeak using the "seismic sea wave" SSID and "tsunami" profile name:

netsh wlan connect ssid=tsunami name=seismic sea wave

Quick tip: If yous have multiple wireless interfaces, y'all must likewise specify in the command which adapter you lot want to use. For example, netsh wlan connect ssid=YOUR-WIFI-SSID name=Contour-NAME interface=Wi-Fi.

Afterwards yous complete the steps, the computer should connect to the wireless network automatically.

More than Windows resources

For more than helpful articles, coverage, and answers to mutual questions most Windows x and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

Windows 10 on Windows Fundamental — All you need to know
Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
Windows 11 on Windows Central — All y'all demand to know

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