Windows 10 allows to define WiFi priority. This will order WiFi networks in a way that your PC will always try to connect to preferred access points first.
If you don´t define WiFi network priority, Windows 10 will usually pick the connection with the strongest signal.
To prioritize WiFi networks on Windows 10 makes sense when there are several access points in reach your computer can connect to.
If your PC keeps connecting to the wrong WiFi network, you can set WiFi priority to avoid the need to manually select access points over and over again.
There is also a possibility to block certain WiFi networks on Windows 10 which can be used to restrict access to selected access points.
Here we show you how to prioritize wifi networks using the networks fylout or via command prompt.
How to Prioritize WiFi on Windows 10 Using the Network Flyout
You can prioritize a certain WiFi network via the network flyout with the following method. There is however no distinction of different priority levels for a list of connections.
To give your favourite connection priority over other WiFi networks, simply check “Connect automatically” before hitting “Connect“. If you later want to remove this priority setting, you have to disconnect first and clear the checkbox before connecting again manually.
How to Change WiFi Priority in Windows 10 using the Command Prompt
Using the netsh command you can set and change the network connection priority of all saved WiFi access points.
- Open the Command Prompt
- Show stored wireless networks you have connected in the past
Type the following command to list all saved wireless networks you have connected in the past and press Enter:
netsh wlan show profiles
Take note of the wireless network you want to prioritize. They are shown as a list in the section “User profiles”.
- Identify the name of your wireless adapter
Type the following command to identify the name of your wireless adapter and press Enter:netsh wlan show interfaces
Take note of the adapter name you use to connect to Wi-Fi networks. (If your device only has one wireless adapter, the default name will be just “Wi-Fi”.)
- Set WiFi priority by assigning numbers
Type the following command to set the connection priority and press Enter. Replace “NETWORK-PROFILE-NAME” and “WI-FI-INTERFACE-NAME” according to what you have noted down before.
“priority=1” assigns the highest priority for the specified WiFi connection. You can use “priority=2”, “priority=3” and so on with separate commands to establish a priority hierarchy for multiple WiFi networks.netsh wlan set profileorder name="NETWORK-PROFILE-NAME" interface="WI-FI-INTERFACE-NAME" priority=1
How to See Stored WiFi Passwords and Activate the Windows 10 WiFi Hotspot
Windows 10 also allows to show previously stored WiFi passwords in the case you have lost them. You can also share your internet connection on Windows 10 by turning it into a WiFi hotspot for people nearby.
Last Updated on August 25, 2021 11:10 am CEST
