If you select the “Connect Automatically” checkbox while connecting to a WiFi network, Windows 11 automatically saves the WiFi password and remembers the network configuration for future use. While this is useful, there may be situations where you might want to forget a WiFi network. You might want to tidy up the WiFi network list, remove outdated saved passwords, delete the connection history, or troubleshoot the WiFi network.
For instance, I recently faced some connectivity issues with my home WiFi connection, and the first thing I did as part of troubleshooting was forget the WiFi network and reconnect to it. For me, this simple step fixed my network issues.
If you also want to forget a WiFi network in Windows 11, follow one of the two methods shown below.
What Happens When You Forget a WiFi Network
When you forget a WiFi network, Windows 11 does the following:
- Removes the saved credentials like the SSID (WiFi name) and password of the WiFi network.
- Removes the WiFi network from the list of known networks.
- Clears specific network settings and configurations of the forgotten WiFi network.
- Stops automatic reconnection to the WiFi network.
Steps to Forget WiFi Network in Windows 11
- Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
- Go to Network & Internet.
- Click on the Wi-Fi option.
- Click on the Manage Known Networks option.
- Press Forget next to the name of the WiFi network you want to forget.
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
First, press Windows key + S to open Windows search. Type Settings in the search bar and click on it to open the Settings app.
In the Settings window, go to the Network & Internet tab and click on the Wi-Fi option. This will open your Windows WiFi settings page.
Here, click on Manage Known Networks to see all the saved WiFi networks on your device.
Find the WiFi network you want to forget and click the Forget button next to it. As soon as you click the button, Windows 11 will forget the WiFi network and remove it from the list. You will not see any confirmation message.
Forget WiFi Network Using Command Prompt
Important note: This method requires you to have administrator rights.
If you prefer to use Command Prompt, follow the below steps:
First, press Windows key + S to open Windows search. Type Command Prompt and click the Run as Administrator option. This will open Command Prompt with administrator rights.
In the cmd window, run the following command to list all the saved WiFi networks.
netsh wlan show profiles
Find the WiFi network you want to forget and note down its profile name. For example, I want to forget the “Status: Unavailable” WiFi network.
Next, run the following command while replacing “WiFi Profile Name” with the actual profile name.
netsh wlan delete profile name="WiFi Profile Name"
For example:
netsh wlan delete profile name="Status: Unavailable"
As soon as the network is forgotten, you will see the message “Profile ‘WiFi Profile Name’ is deleted from the interface ‘Wi-Fi’.”
Wrapping Up — Forgetting WiFi Network
As you can see, forgetting a WiFi network in Windows 11 is easier than you might think. In most cases, the Settings app will get the job done. However, if you face difficulties while using the Settings app, you can follow the Command Prompt method instead. Remember that you require administrator rights when using the Command Prompt method.
If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to assist.
