Have you ever wondered how to prevent your neighbors' or other nearby places' WiFi networks from appearing over and over again on your computer with WindowsIt's a fairly common situation, especially if you live in an area where many homes or businesses are close together and the list of wireless networks can become endless. Besides being annoying, It can also pose a security risk if you accidentally connect to one of these unwanted networks..
In this article we tell you all the detailed ways to Block, hide, and manage Wi-Fi networks in Windows 10 and 11, so you only see the connections that really interest you and avoid any confusion. Here you'll find the most effective methods, from the simplest commands to advanced tips, so you can have maximum control over your wireless environment.
Why would you want to block WiFi networks in Windows?
Managing Wi-Fi networks in Windows can be a real headache if you regularly encounter unwanted or unsafe networks among your available connections. Hide or block specific networks can help you simplify the connection process, avoid errors and protect your information from potentially dangerous networks.
Some of the most common reasons for doing this are:
- Avoid accidental connections to WiFi networks of neighbors or strangers.
- Reduce confusion with multiple similar SSIDs or open public networks.
- Shield family or work teams so that they only access approved WiFi.
- Improve security eliminating the temptation to test potentially dangerous networks
Block or hide specific Wi-Fi networks in Windows
The most practical and powerful option to block WiFi networks in Windows is to use the terminal or command prompt with administrator permissions. Using specific commands you can filter, hide or block any wireless network. This whole process is reversible and completely safe.
To block a specific WiFi network:
- Click the start button and type cmd o Command Prompt. Right-click and select “Run as administrator.”
- Click the WiFi icon in the taskbar and look at the list of networks. Write down the exact name (SSID) of the network you want to block. It's important to enter the name exactly as it appears, respecting capitalization and spaces.
- In the opened window, enter the following command and press Enter:
netsh wlan add filter permission=block ssid=»Network_Name» networktype=infrastructure - When you do this, the system will confirm that the filter has been added successfully. Those networks will no longer appear in the list of available networks. and you won't be able to connect to them accidentally.
To remove a WiFi network lock in Windows:
- Access the Command Prompt again as administrator.
- Enter this command:
netsh wlan delete filter permission=block ssid=»Network_Name» networktype=infrastructure - The blocked network will appear in the list again.
View all blocked networks:
To check which networks you have filtered, use this command:
netsh wlan show filters permission=block
Allow only certain WiFi networks (whitelist mode)
Another advanced strategy to maintain control over connections is to create a White listThis means that only the networks you authorize will be visible and accessible, while the rest will remain automatically blocked.
Steps to restrict access to only certain WiFi networks:
- For each allowed network, run the command (replacing the SSID):
netsh wlan add filter permission=allow ssid=»Network_Name» networktype=infrastructure - To block all others, run:
netsh wlan add filter permission = denyall networktype = infrastructure - To reverse this global filter, simply use:
netsh wlan delete filter permission = denyall networktype = infrastructure
This method is especially useful in home or professional settings, when you want only certain networks to be available regardless of location changes or neighbors.
Manage known networks from Windows settings
Windows also offers a graphical interface for managing networks you've previously connected to. You can delete saved connections to prevent automatic reconnections to unwanted networks.If you want to expand your knowledge on how to manage connections in Windows, you can check out our detailed guide on how to unblock a WiFi network in Windows.
Steps to remove a known network:
- Accede to Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks.
- Click on the network you want to stop remembering and select Stop remembering.
This way, the device will not attempt to reconnect automatically, even if the network still appears in the list of available networks.
Hide your own WiFi network from others (Disable SSID on the router)
If you are an administrator of the router, you can prevent your network from appearing in searches for other devices by disabling SSID broadcasting. For more details on how to block Wi-Fi networks in Windows from different perspectives, see also This guide to covering or blocking WiFi networks in home environments.
How to do it:
- Access the router settings from your browser (usually with the IP 192.168.1.1).
- Sign in with your credentials. Look for the section Wireless Settings.
- Locate the option SSID broadcast and disable it.
- Save the changes and reboot the router if necessary.
Important: While hiding your SSID can reduce your network's visibility, it's not a foolproof measure against advanced users. However, it helps curb the curiosity of those who only seek out visible networks.
Alternatives and extra tips for managing WiFi security
- Never automatically connect to public networks if you don't trust them.
- Disable the 'Connect automatically' option on networks other than your home or work networks.
- Use quality VPNs like Cloudflare WARP, NordVPN or CyberGhost to encrypt your traffic on public networks.
- Consider creating a server VPN on your router for secure remote access to your home network.
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