Connecting to WiFi networks on your Windows 11 device allows you to access the internet wirelessly. However, over time you may connect to many different WiFi networks, some of which you no longer need access to. Forgetting these old WiFi network connections removes them from your saved networks list and also deletes any saved passwords.
Forgetting unused WiFi networks helps keep your saved networks list clean and can also improve security by removing stored passwords you no longer need. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to forget and remove saved WiFi networks in Windows 11.
Table of Contents
Why You Should Forget Old WiFi Networks
Here are some key reasons to forget WiFi networks you no longer use:
- Keep your saved networks list clean: Forgetting old networks you don’t use anymore keeps your list of saved WiFi networks uncluttered and easier to navigate.
- Improve security: When you connect to a password-protected WiFi network, Windows stores the password to automatically connect next time. Forgetting unused networks also removes these saved passwords.
- Fix WiFi connection issues: Sometimes failing to connect to WiFi can be fixed by forgetting the network and re-entering the password on your next connection attempt.
How to Forget a Single WiFi Network
Forgetting unused WiFi networks in Windows 11 only takes a few steps. Follow these instructions to forget a single WiFi network:
- Open Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks
- Find the WiFi network you want to forget and click on it
- Click the Forget button
- Confirm forgetting the network when prompted
The network is now forgotten and removed from your saved WiFi networks list in Windows 11.
Tip: You’ll need to re-enter the password next time you connect to this WiFi network.
How to Forget All Saved WiFi Networks
You can also forget all WiFi networks saved on your Windows 11 device with just a few commands:
- Open the Windows Start Menu and search for Command Prompt
- Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator
- Type the following command:
netsh wlan delete profile name=* - Press Enter – this will forget and delete all your saved WiFi networks
- Type
exitand press Enter to close the Command Prompt window
After running these commands, your WiFi networks list will be cleared and you’ll have to re-enter passwords when connecting again.
Finding Your WiFi Network Security Key
If you forget a password-protected WiFi network, you’ll need to re-enter the password to connect again. Here’s how to find your WiFi network security key or password in Windows 11:
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi
- Click on your connected WiFi network name
- Look for Security type – this shows your encryption method
- Click Show password to view your WiFi network security key
You can also view saved WiFi passwords by going to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > your WiFi network name > Wireless Properties > Security tab > Show characters.
Knowing your exact WiFi password makes reconnecting to forgotten networks quick and easy.
Tips for Securing Your WiFi Network
Along with periodically forgetting unused WiFi networks, here are some tips to keep your wireless network safe:
- Use WPA2 or WPA3 encryption on your router
- Create a strong WiFi password with upper/lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols
- Change your WiFi network password every 3-6 months
- Use MAC address filtering to limit device access
- Turn off WiFi broadcasting when not in use
Conclusion
Forgetting unused WiFi networks helps declutter your saved networks list and improves the security of your device by removing saved passwords. It only takes a few clicks to forget a single network or a few commands to forget all saved WiFi networks in Windows 11.
Be sure to find your current WiFi network security key before forgetting password-protected networks so reconnecting is fast and simple. Follow some basic security practices as well to keep your wireless network safe from unauthorized access.
