How to Block Wi-Fi Networks in Windows

Clicking the network icon on your Windows laptop or PC will display a number of “available” Wi-Fi networks. With so many unnecessary access points, the pop-up window can look cluttered and require you to scroll a bit to find the network you want. Additionally, some of these networks may be open and unencrypted. This guide lists several options for blocking Wi-Fi networks in Windows.

Table of Contents

• Block Wi-Fi Networks in Windows
  • 1. Command Prompt (one Wi-Fi network at a time)
  • 2. Command Prompt (Block Wi-Fi networks in bulk)
  • 3. Use “Manage Known Networks”
• Enable Wi-Fi Networks on Windows
  • 1. Command Prompt (one Wi-Fi network at a time)
  • 2. Command Prompt (Allow batch)
  • 3. Undo forgetting Wi-Fi network

Block Wi-Fi Networks in Windows

Windows doesn't provide any options in the Settings app or Control Panel, but you can easily block Wi-Fi networks using one of the methods shown below.

1. Command Prompt (one Wi-Fi network at a time)

Command Prompt provides a quick fix to delete one or more unnecessary Wi-Fi networks. All you need is the network name or SSID .

To start, search for "Command Prompt" (or "cmd") in the Windows search menu, right-click on it, and select Run as Administrator .

To identify the SSID you want to block, click the network icon on the taskbar and click the Manage Wi-Fi connections arrow . This will populate a list of Wi-Fi connections near your Windows device.

In the Command Prompt window, execute the command below to block the Wi-Fi network. Replace "Wi-Fi Network Name" with the actual SSID or network name.

netsh wlan add filter permission=block ssid="Wi-Fi Network Name" networktype=infrastructure

After executing the command, the Wi-Fi network will be added to the blacklist filter and you will see a message saying: "The filter is added on the system successfully". You can add multiple blacklist filters for different SSIDs on separate lines. All of them will be blocked one by one.

When you block a Wi-Fi network, it will no longer appear in the network connection pop-up window and you will not be able to connect to it. To verify this, go to Settings -> Network & internet -> Wi-Fi -> Show available networks . Blacklisted SSIDs will no longer appear.

2. Command Prompt (Block Wi-Fi networks in bulk)

Instead of deleting unnecessary Wi-Fi networks one by one, you can also delete them in bulk and only allow the Wi-Fi networks you intend to use.

Return to Command Prompt with admin privileges and enter the following command. Before pressing Enter , make sure to note the SSID your Windows device is currently connected to; otherwise, the device will be completely disconnected from the Internet.

netsh wlan add filter permission=denyall networktype=infrastructure

After inserting the "deny all" command, start adding exceptions to the command, starting with the Wi-Fi network you're currently connected to. Instead of "Wi-Fi SSID," add the name of the SSID you want to allow. Add multiple exceptions on separate lines.

netsh wlan add filter permission=allow ssid="Wi-Fi SSID" networktype=infrastructure

It's great to have a neat Wi-Fi icon on your Windows taskbar. You'll never be inundated with shady Wi-Fi networks again.

If you accidentally entered a bulk blacklist without noting the current network's SSID, go back to your router's control panel on another device. Or, if you're connecting via a mobile hotspot, check the network name on your Android or iPhone, then add the appropriate SSID.

It's best to only enable the "deny all" setting in bulk when your Windows device is near trusted Wi-Fi networks, such as your home router. This isn't very convenient if you're traveling with your laptop.

3. Use “Manage Known Networks”

As we continue to use multiple Wi-Fi networks, their history will be saved on the device. If those SSIDs are still showing up after you've stopped using them for a long time, you can permanently delete them from your Windows device.

Go to Settings -> Network & internet -> Wi-Fi -> Manage known networks . Click Forget to remove each Wi-Fi network that you don't want to appear on your Windows device.

Enable Wi-Fi Networks on Windows

Just like you can block certain Wi-Fi networks from appearing on your Wi-Fi network icon, you can also allow them again. The methods are similar to the ones used above to block Wi-Fi networks.

1. Command Prompt (one Wi-Fi network at a time)

To allow a specific Wi-Fi network, remove the entry from the blacklist. Go back to Command Prompt with amdin privileges and execute the command below while replacing "Wi-Fi Network Name" with the name of the blocked network.

netsh wlan delete filter permission=block ssid="Wi-Fi Network Name" networktype=infrastructure

After you enter the command, the blocked Wi-Fi SSID will reappear in the network icon in the system tray.

If you don't remember the SSID name, use the command below. It will list the names of all allowed and blocked Wi-Fi networks.

netsh wlan show filters

2. Command Prompt (Allow batch)

If you previously used the "deny all" command to block all Wi-Fi networks from appearing on the Windows Wi-Fi icon display page, you can easily undo that. Just enter the following "delete" command into Command Prompt with amdin privileges.

netsh wlan delete filter permission=denyall networktype=infrastructure

The command will remove the "deny all" filter and allow all Wi-Fi networks and those you added as exceptions.

3. Undo forgetting Wi-Fi network

To retrieve forgotten Wi-Fi networks on a Windows device, you basically just need to restart the device and go near the deleted SSID. The network will reappear and you will have to enter the password once before you can save it.

If that doesn't work, reset your entire network. One way to do this is to flush your network using ipconfig/flushDNS , which will reorder the network stack. This should allow your Windows device to connect to previously blocked Wi-Fi networks.

Blocking Wi-Fi networks is necessary if you don't want other users' networks to interfere with your main connection. If you're struggling with slow Wi-Fi in your home, learn how to get normal Internet speeds .

See also:

• Instructions for using and securing Wifi networks
• How to check who is using free Wifi, stealing your Wifi
• 8 Best Wifi Hacking and Analysis Software
• Instructions to fix Wifi error with yellow exclamation mark