Connect to Wi-Fi Network in Windows 11 Tutorial | Windows 11 Forum

When you connect to a Wi-Fi network for the first time, Windows will automatically add a profile for the Wi-Fi network. The saved profile contains the

Ethernet
Wi‑Fi (wireless)
Mobile broadband (cellular)

Windows will automatically connect to your Wi-Fi network profiles based on a

If you check Connect automatically while connecting to a Wi-Fi network, that Wi-Fi profile will be placed at the top of the priority order list. If you have multiple Wi-Fi network connection profiles, you can change the

Starting with Windows 11 build 22557, TKIP and WEP are deprecated security standards and Windows 11 will no longer allow connections to those types starting with this build. Contact your network administrator or update your router to one that supports at least WPA2 (WPA3 is the current standard).

Starting with

Setting up a wireless network in Windows – Microsoft Support

Learn about modems and Internet connections, security, sharing files and printers, and how to set up a wireless network in your home.

Connect to a Wi-Fi network in Windows – Microsoft Support

Learn how to connect to a Wi-fi network in Windows and manage your current network connections.

This tutorial will show you how to add and connect to a Wi-Fi network in Windows 11.

Wi-Fi is a wireless local area network ( WLAN ) technology and standard that uses high-frequency radio waves to provide wireless Internet and network connections to your Windows device.When you connect to a Wi-Fi network for the first time, Windows will automatically add a profile for the Wi-Fi network. The saved profile contains the SSID (network name), security key (password), and security type information used to connect to this specific Wi-Fi network.Windows will automatically connect to your Wi-Fi network profiles based on a priority order when the Wi-Fi network is in range, and an Ethernet connection is not available.If you checkwhile connecting to a Wi-Fi network, that Wi-Fi profile will be placed at the top of the priority order list. If you have multiple Wi-Fi network connection profiles, you can change the priority order so the network profile you prefer will be the first one to use instead when in range.Starting with Windows 11 build 22610 , based on feedback from Windows Insiders, Microsoft is rolling back the change originally documented with Build 22557 where TKIP and WEP connections were no longer allowed. These connections are allowed again starting with this build as we go back to the previous behavior where a warning is given notifying you that these are not secured connections. As a reminder, TKIP and WEP are deprecated security standards and are planned for removal in a future release. Microsoft recommends updating your router or other devices to one that supports at least WPA2 (WPA3 is the current standard).See also:This tutorial will show you how to add and connect to a Wi-Fi network in Windows 11.

You will need to know the SSID (Wi-Fi network name), Security type (ex: “WPA2-Personal”), and Security Key (password) of the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to.

Contents

Option One: Connect to Wi-Fi Network in Quick Settings
Option Two: Connect to Wi-Fi Network in Settings
Option Three: Connect to Wi-Fi Network in Command Prompt
Option Four: Add Wi-Fi Network to Connect to in Settings
Option Five: Add Wi-Fi Network to Connect to in Control Panel

Option One

Connect to Wi-Fi Network in Quick Settings

Open

Click/tap on the Manage Wi-Fi connections arrow on the

Perform the following actions: (see screenshots below)

Click/tap on an available Wi-Fi network SSID (ex: “Brink-Router2”) you want to connect to.
If you want to connect to a hidden Wi-Fi network that doesn’t broadcasts its SSID, you will need to click/tap on Hidden Network instead.
Check or uncheck Connect automatically for what you want.
Click/tap on Connect.
If you are connecting to a Hidden Network, you will also need to type the Wi-Fi network SSID (ex: “Brink-Router2”), and click/tap on Next.

Type the Next. (see screenshots below)

You will now be connected to the Wi-Fi network. (see screenshot below)

Option Two

Connect to Wi-Fi Network in Settings

Open

Click/tap on Network & internet on the left side, and click/tap on Wi-Fi on the right side. (see screenshot below)

Perform the following actions: (see screenshots below)

Click/tap on Show available networks to expand it open.
Click/tap on an available Wi-Fi network SSID (ex: “Brink-Router2”) you want to connect to.
If you want to connect to a hidden Wi-Fi network that doesn’t broadcasts its SSID, you will need to click/tap on Hidden Network instead.
Check or uncheck Connect automatically for what you want.
Click/tap on Connect.
If you are connecting to a Hidden Network, you will also need to type the Wi-Fi network SSID (ex: “Brink-Router2”), and click/tap on Next.

Type the Next. (see screenshots below)

You will now be connected to the Wi-Fi network. (see screenshot below)

You can now close Settings if you like.

Option Three

Connect to Wi-Fi Network in Command Prompt

Open Quick Settings (Win+A).Click/tap on thearrow on the Wi-Fi (Available) quick setting button. (see screenshot below)Perform the following actions: (see screenshots below)Type the security key (password) for the Wi-Fi network, and click/tap on. (see screenshots below)You will now be connected to the Wi-Fi network. (see screenshot below)Open Settings (Win+I).Click/tap onon the left side, and click/tap onon the right side. (see screenshot below)Perform the following actions: (see screenshots below)Type the security key (password) for the Wi-Fi network, and click/tap on. (see screenshots below)You will now be connected to the Wi-Fi network. (see screenshot below)You can now close Settings if you like.

This option will only work for known Wi-Fi network profiles that have already been added.

Open a

Copy and paste the command below into the command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below step 3)

netsh wlan show profiles

Make note of the known Wi-Fi network profile name (ex: “Brink-Router2”) you want to connect to. (see screenshot below)

Type the command below into the command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

netsh wlan connect name="


<Wi-Fi network profile name>

"

Open a Command Prompt Copy and paste the command below into the command prompt, and press. (see screenshot below step 3)Make note of the known Wi-Fi network profile name (ex: “Brink-Router2”) you want to connect to. (see screenshot below)Type the command below into the command prompt, and press. (see screenshot below)

Substitute <Wi-Fi network profile name> in the command above with the actual Wi-Fi network profile name (ex: “Brink-Router2”) from step 3.

For example: netsh wlan connect name="Brink-Router2"

You can now close the command prompt if you like.

Option Four

Add Wi-Fi Network to Connect to in Settings

You can now close the command prompt if you like.

This option can be good to use to add a Wi-Fi network profile without having to connect to it right now so you can connect to the Wi-Fi network later when able.

Open

Click/tap on Network & internet on the left side, and click/tap on Wi-Fi on the right side. (see screenshot below)

Click/tap on Manage known networks. (see screenshot below)

Click/tap on the Add network button for Add a new network. (see screenshot below)

Perform the following actions: (see screenshot below)

Type the Network name (SSID) (ex: “Brink-Router2”) you want to connect to.
Select the Security type (ex: “WPA2-Personal AES”) for the Wi-Fi network.
Type the security key (password) for the Wi-Fi network.
Check or uncheck Start this connection automatically for what you want.
Check Connect even if the network is not broadcasting.
Click/tap on Save.

You can now close Settings if you like.

Option Five

Add Wi-Fi Network to Connect to in Control Panel

Open Settings (Win+I).Click/tap onon the left side, and click/tap onon the right side. (see screenshot below)Click/tap on. (see screenshot below)Click/tap on thebutton for. (see screenshot below)Perform the following actions: (see screenshot below)You can now close Settings if you like.

This option can be good to use to add a Wi-Fi network profile without having to connect to it right now so you can connect to the Wi-Fi network later when able.

Open the Network and Sharing Center icon.

Click/tap on the Set up a new connection or network link. (see screenshot below)

Click/tap on the Manually connect to a wireless network, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

Perform the following actions: (see screenshot below)

Type the Network name (SSID) (ex: “Brink-Router2”) you want to connect to.
Select the Security type (ex: “WPA2-Personal”) for the Wi-Fi network.
Type the security key (password) for the Wi-Fi network.
Check or uncheck Start this connection automatically for what you want.
Check Connect even if the network is not broadcasting.
Click/tap on Next.

Click/tap on Close. (see screenshot below)

Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on theicon.Click/tap on thelink. (see screenshot below)Click/tap on the, and click/tap on. (see screenshot below)Perform the following actions: (see screenshot below)Click/tap on. (see screenshot below)

If you already have a Wi-Fi network profile with the same name as this profile, you will be prompted to Use the existing network instead, Choose a different name for this profile, or Cancel.