Forgetting a network on Windows 10 is supposed to be pretty straightforward, but sometimes it’s not as smooth as it sounds. You might find yourself in a situation where your PC keeps trying to connect to a Wi-Fi network you no longer use, or maybe an old network name is cluttering your list and just looks messy. Either way, removing known networks can help with connection stability and tidying things up. The process is simple: go into your settings, find the list of saved networks, and just forget the one bothering you. However, what’s weird is that sometimes Windows doesn’t update immediately — you might need a quick restart or troubleshoot a bit if it doesn’t cooperate right away. Let’s break down the steps.
How to Forget a Network on Windows 10
Access your network settings — it all starts here
- First, click on the Start menu and then select the Settings icon (gear icon).Or just press Windows + I. That’s usually faster.
- Open Network & Internet. Yeah, it’s right there in Settings, under Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on your connection.
This is where Windows keeps all your connection info, including what networks it remembers. If you’re having issues with auto-connections or just wanna clean house, this is the place.
Navigate to Wi-Fi settings
- On the left panel, click on Wi-Fi.
- Scroll down and find Manage known networks. This is the list of saved Wi-Fi networks your PC keeps bumping into.
On some setups, this list can be kinda long if you’ve connected to a bunch of networks over time. Sometimes you’ll see networks that no longer exist or you don’t want remembered anymore.
Pick the network and say goodbye
- Locate the network you want to forget. Be careful — double-check the name, especially if you have similar SSIDs.
- Click on it, then hit the Forget button. That removes it from your computer’s memory so it won’t auto-connect anymore.
After that, your PC shouldn’t try to connect to it unless you manually select it and enter the password again. Just keeps things tidy and usually helps with connection issues if the saved network was causing problems.
Tips for Forgetting a Network on Windows 10
- Double-Check: Make sure you’re removing the right network — accidentally forgetting your main Wi-Fi can be annoying.
- Clean up regularly: If you move around a lot or switch networks, it’s better to forget old or unused ones so your list doesn’t get bloated.
- Rename networks if possible: This might not always be easy, but it helps to give networks descriptive names to avoid confusion.
- Update your Wi-Fi drivers: Outdated drivers can cause weird connection issues. Check for updates via Device Manager under Network adapters. Sometimes, a driver update fixes the auto-connection bugs.
- Restart if things act weird: After forgetting a network, if Windows still acts up, a quick reboot can clear out old cache or lingering settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I forget a network?
Aside from cleaning out the clutter, forgetting a network can fix connection weirdness, especially if the saved credentials are stale or messed up. Also, for privacy reasons, it’s good to remove networks that could be a security concern.
Can I reconnect to a forgotten network later?
Absolutely. Just find the network again in the list of available networks, click on it, and re-enter the password. Windows will then save it anew.
Will forgetting a network slow down my internet?
Nope. It won’t affect your internet speed. It just stops your PC from automatically trying to reconnect to that old or unwanted network.
Is it safe to forget networks?
Yes, totally. It only removes saved login info, so your device won’t try to connect automatically anymore. Nothing dangerous about that.
Can I forget multiple networks at the same time?
Not in one shot. You’ll need to go through the list and forget each one individually, which is a bit of a pain but still pretty manageable.
Summary
- Open Settings > Network & Internet
- Go to Wi-Fi > Manage known networks
- Find the network, click, then hit Forget
- If necessary, restart your PC to make sure changes stick
Wrap-up
Forgetting networks might seem like a small thing, but it actually solves quite a few connectivity headaches and helps keep your device running tidy. On one setup, it worked the first time — on another, maybe you need to restart or re-try a few times. Windows can be frustrating like that. Overall, it’s a pretty simple fix but worth doing if you’re dealing with old networks trying to reconnect or just want a cleaner list. Hope that helps clear things up — fingers crossed this helps someone get their Wi-Fi back under control.