Question : Wireless network - stop laptops from auto-connecting

Hello, I am trying to create a network wide policy to stop our laptops from auto-connecting to the wireless networks they encounter.

In windows, by default, when you connect to a new wireless network that network is placed in your "preferred network" list and is set to auto-connect when in range.

A user must then go into the configuration of this wireless network, go to advanced settings, click the properties button then the connection tab in order to remove the checkmark from "connect when this network is in range" in order to stop their laptop from auto-connecting when a network on their list is in range.

I would like to make every network on their list "On Demand". I have looked into using a GPO but there is no setting for making all or even specific networks "On Demand" using a GPO.

Any help would be appreciated.

Answer : Wireless network - stop laptops from auto-connecting

There is a node for Wireless Network Policies in there, but you must be actually on the domain controller to see it.  It's under...

Computer Configuration/Windows Settings/Security Settings/Wireless Network (IEEE 802.11) Policies

Honestly I'm not sure this'll solve your problem because I haven't tried it.  But right off the top of my head you could try setting that policy up, then leaving the preferred networks lists blank and see what happens.


-T.