How to Forget Network on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / October 10, 2025

Ever connected to the wrong Wi-Fi network and wanted Windows 11 to stop automatically joining it? Or maybe your saved networks list has gotten messy with outdated or incorrect connections. Don’t worry — in this guide, we’ll walk you through how to forget a network on Windows 11 easily, using multiple methods.

Whether you’re troubleshooting network issues, changing routers, or cleaning up old Wi-Fi connections, this guide will show you every possible way to remove or forget wireless networks from your PC.

🧭 Quick Summary

Method Tool Used Difficulty Best For
Method 1 Settings app ⭐ Easy Everyday users
Method 2 Taskbar Wi-Fi menu ⭐ Easy Quick disconnection
Method 3 Control Panel ⭐⭐ Moderate Classic users
Method 4 Command Prompt (CMD) ⭐⭐⭐ Advanced Power users
Method 5 PowerShell ⭐⭐⭐ Advanced Network admins

💡 Key takeaway: You can forget any saved Wi-Fi network on Windows 11 using Settings, Taskbar, CMD, or PowerShell. The Settings app is the simplest option for most users.

What Does “Forget a Network” Mean in Windows 11?

When you connect to a Wi-Fi network, Windows automatically saves its SSID (network name), password, and security type.

Forgetting a network means deleting that saved information so Windows no longer recognizes or automatically connects to it.

Once forgotten:

  • The network disappears from your saved list.

  • You’ll need to re-enter the password if you reconnect.

  • Any auto-connect preference resets.

Why Should You Forget a Wi-Fi Network?

Here are a few common reasons:

  • ⚙️ Troubleshooting connection issues — helps fix “can’t connect” or “authentication error” problems.

  • 🔒 Privacy and security — remove networks you don’t use anymore.

  • 🧹 Decluttering — clean up saved networks you no longer need.

  • 📶 Switching routers or ISPs — avoid confusion between old and new connections.

  • 🧩 Changing network settings — helpful when credentials or configurations change.

Before You Start: Prerequisites

Before proceeding:

  1. Ensure you’re logged in as an administrator.

  2. Make sure you know which network you want to forget (its name or SSID).

  3. If connected to it currently, you may need to disconnect first.

Method 1: Forget a Network Using Settings (Easiest Way)

This is the most user-friendly and reliable method for most users.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Open Settings

    • Press Windows + I on your keyboard.

    • Or click Start → Settings.

  2. Go to Network & Internet

    • From the left sidebar, select Network & Internet.

  3. Select Wi-Fi

    • Click on Wi-Fi under Network & Internet.

  4. Click “Manage Known Networks”

    • You’ll see a list of all saved Wi-Fi networks.

  5. Find the Network You Want to Forget

    • Locate the network name (SSID) you want to remove.

  6. Click “Forget”

    • Click the Forget button next to that network.

✅ Result: The network is instantly deleted from your saved Wi-Fi list.
If you reconnect, Windows will treat it as a new network and ask for a password again.

Method 2: Forget Network from Taskbar (Quickest Way)

This is the fastest option if you just want to disconnect and forget a Wi-Fi network you’re currently using.

Steps:

  1. Click the Network Icon

    • On the right side of the taskbar (bottom-right corner), click the Wi-Fi icon.

  2. View Available Networks

    • A list of nearby Wi-Fi networks will appear.

  3. Right-click the Connected Network

    • Find the one you’re currently connected to or recently used.

  4. Click “Forget”

    • Select Forget from the menu.

✅ Result: Windows instantly disconnects and removes it from memory.

💡 Tip: If you only see a “Disconnect” option, click it first — then re-open the Wi-Fi list to see Forget.

Method 3: Forget Wi-Fi Network Using Control Panel

The Control Panel method is especially helpful for users accustomed to older versions of Windows (like 7 or 10).

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

  2. Type:

    control panel

    and press Enter.

  3. Navigate to:

    Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center

  4. Click Manage wireless networks (if available).

⚠️ Note: This option might not appear in all Windows 11 builds — it’s a legacy feature being phased out.

  1. Right-click the network you want to remove and choose Remove network.

✅ Result: The selected Wi-Fi network is forgotten and won’t reconnect automatically.

Method 4: Forget a Network Using Command Prompt (CMD)

If you prefer command-line tools or need to manage multiple networks, this is your go-to method.

Steps:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator

    • Type cmd in the Start menu search bar.

    • Right-click Command Prompt → Run as administrator.

  2. List All Saved Wi-Fi Networks

    netsh wlan show profiles

    You’ll see something like:

    User profiles
    -------------
    All User Profile : HomeWiFi
    All User Profile : Office_Network
    All User Profile : CafeNet

  3. Forget a Specific Network

    netsh wlan delete profile name="NetworkName"

    Example:

    netsh wlan delete profile name="HomeWiFi"

  4. Verify Deletion
    Run the netsh wlan show profiles command again — the network should be gone.

✅ Pro Tip:
You can delete all saved networks at once with:

netsh wlan delete profile name=*

Method 5: Forget Network Using PowerShell

PowerShell offers similar control but is more powerful for automation.

Steps:

  1. Open PowerShell as Administrator

    • Press Windows + X → Select Windows Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin).

  2. View All Saved Networks

    netsh wlan show profiles

  3. Delete the Specific Network

    netsh wlan delete profile name="NetworkName"

    Example:

    netsh wlan delete profile name="Office_WiFi"

✅ Tip for IT Admins: You can combine commands into scripts to clean up multiple devices automatically.

Alternative Method: Forget Network from Windows Terminal

If you use the Windows Terminal app (which combines CMD and PowerShell), you can run the same commands directly there — it’s faster and modern-looking.

Example:

netsh wlan delete profile name="NetworkName"

Method 6: Forget Ethernet or VPN Network (Bonus)

While Wi-Fi is the most common, sometimes you might want to forget wired or VPN connections.

Forget Ethernet Network:

Wired networks don’t have saved profiles like Wi-Fi, but you can:

  1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Ethernet.

  2. Click the Ethernet network.

  3. Select Forget or Disconnect (if applicable).

Forget a VPN:

  1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → VPN.

  2. Select the VPN you want to remove.

  3. Click Remove.

What Happens After You Forget a Network?

When you forget a Wi-Fi network:

  • Your PC no longer remembers its password or settings.

  • It won’t auto-connect again.

  • The network disappears from the “known networks” list.

  • You can reconnect manually anytime by re-entering the password.

Troubleshooting: Can’t Forget a Network in Windows 11?

If the “Forget” button doesn’t appear or a network keeps reappearing, try these fixes:

1. Restart Your PC

Simple but effective — restart and try again.

2. Turn Off Sync Settings

If you use a Microsoft account, networks may re-sync automatically.

  • Go to Settings → Accounts → Windows Backup.

  • Turn off Remember my Wi-Fi networks.

3. Use Command Prompt

Sometimes, GUI settings fail, but the netsh command works reliably.

4. Delete Network Drivers (Advanced)

Reinstalling your Wi-Fi driver can clear all saved networks:

  1. Right-click Start → Device Manager.

  2. Expand Network adapters.

  3. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter → Uninstall device.

  4. Restart your PC.

5. Check Group Policy or IT Restrictions

On work or school PCs, admins might restrict changes to network profiles.

How to Reconnect to a Forgotten Network

If you accidentally forgot a network, don’t worry — reconnecting is simple.

  1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar.

  2. Select the desired network.

  3. Click Connect.

  4. Enter the Wi-Fi password.

  5. Check Connect automatically if you want Windows to remember it again.

Best Practices for Managing Networks

Action When to Use It Benefit
Forget unused networks After changing routers or moving Avoid connection errors
Rename SSIDs clearly For multiple routers Easier identification
Use “Connect automatically” selectively For trusted Wi-Fi only Improves security
Periodically review saved networks Every few months Keeps system clean
Use a strong password Always Protects data and privacy

Benefits of Forgetting Unused Wi-Fi Networks

  • 🔒 Improved security — removes stored credentials for public or unsafe networks.

  • 🚀 Better connectivity — avoids connecting to weak or outdated networks.

  • 🧹 Cleaner settings — reduces network clutter.

  • 🧠 Less confusion — ensures you connect to the correct router.

  • ⚙️ Fixes bugs — helps resolve frequent “Cannot connect” or “No Internet” issues.

When Should You Forget a Network?

Consider forgetting a network when:

  • You changed the Wi-Fi password and can’t reconnect.

  • You moved to a new location or router.

  • You shared your network temporarily (e.g., a guest hotspot).

  • You connected to a public network and don’t want your device to remember it.

  • You’re troubleshooting frequent Wi-Fi drops or authentication errors.

How to View Saved Networks in Windows 11

Before deleting, you might want to review your saved networks list.

Steps:

  1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).

  2. Type:

    netsh wlan show profiles

    This shows every network Windows has saved.

  3. To view details for a specific one:

    netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName"

FAQ: Managing Wi-Fi Networks in Windows 11

1. Will forgetting a network delete it permanently?

No, it just removes it from your PC’s memory. The network still exists — you can reconnect anytime.

2. Why doesn’t the “Forget” button show up?

You may not be connected to that network, or it’s a system-managed one (like work/school). Use CMD to remove it.

3. Can I forget all Wi-Fi networks at once?

Yes. Run this command in Command Prompt (Admin):

netsh wlan delete profile name=*

4. Is it safe to forget a network?

Absolutely. It’s one of the safest ways to reset Wi-Fi configurations and solve connection issues.

5. How do I stop my PC from reconnecting automatically?

Instead of forgetting the network, uncheck Connect automatically when connecting to it.

Conclusion: Keep Your Wi-Fi List Clean and Secure

Knowing how to forget a network on Windows 11 helps you keep your device secure, organized, and free from connection headaches.

Whether you prefer using the Settings app, Taskbar, or Command Prompt, forgetting an unused Wi-Fi network only takes seconds — and can save you minutes of troubleshooting later.

Take a few minutes today to clear your list of old or untrusted networks and enjoy a smoother, safer wireless experience.

Key Takeaways

  • ⚙️ Forgetting a network removes saved passwords and auto-connect settings.

  • 🧭 Use Settings → Manage Known Networks for the easiest method.

  • 💻 Command Prompt (netsh wlan delete profile) offers more control.

  • 🔒 Helps fix Wi-Fi issues and protects privacy.

  • 🚀 Reconnect anytime by entering the password again.

5 Quick FAQs

  1. Can I forget a hidden Wi-Fi network?
    Yes — use Command Prompt to delete its profile by name.

  2. Does forgetting a network affect other users?
    Only if it’s a shared PC. Each user account manages its own Wi-Fi profiles.

  3. Can I undo forgetting a network?
    Not directly. You’ll need to reconnect manually.

  4. Does forgetting a network remove saved IP settings?
    Yes, it resets all custom IP and DNS settings tied to that network.

  5. Will forgetting a public Wi-Fi improve security?
    Definitely. It prevents your device from automatically connecting to risky hotspots.

✅ Final Thought:
Your PC’s Wi-Fi list shouldn’t be a digital junk drawer. Forget old, duplicate, or unreliable networks to ensure faster, safer, and more reliable wireless connections on Windows 11.

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