How to disable Wi-Fi Sense in Windows 10

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Instructions

Wi-Fi Sense

Wi-Fi Sense is a Windows 10 feature that is ENABLED BY DEFAULT that will share your Wi-Fi network password (via an encrypted server process) with any contacts you may have listed in Outlook and Skype Optionally, you can also include your Facebook friends in this process.

To work, you must be signed into you Microsoft Account. When your system connects  to a new Wi-Fi network, Wi-Fi Sense will ask if you want to share this new network with others.

NOTE: Any network you have connected to prior to your Windows 10 upgrade will not get this sharing prompt.
 

How to disable Wi-Fi Sense in Windows 10

To disable Wi-Fi Sense, complete the steps below:

  1. Right click on the Start Button, then click "Settings".
    HOW10916_en_US__1WIFISENSE1
    Figure 1. - Settings, Network and Internet
  2. Click on "Network & Internet" settings (See figure 1.)
  3. In the left pane, click Wi-Fi, then click "Manage known networks" (See Figure 2)
    Image depicts the Manage Known Networks in Windows 10
    Figure 2. Manage known networks
    HOW10916_en_US__3WIFISENSE3
    Figure 3. - WiFi Sense enabled
  4. Turn off second option toggle "Wi-Fi Sense" (See Figures 3 & 4)

    HOW10916_en_US__4WIFISENSE4
    Figure 4. - WiFi sense Disabled
NOTE: Wi-Fi sense can also be disabled during the Windows 10 setup as well using the customize settings option during setup:
HOW10916_en_US__5customisesettings10

 

Note: ​ If the Windows 10 system is able to connect to Wi-Fi but the connection keeps disconnecting while other devices remain connected to the same Wi-Fi network, this could be due to Advanced Settings options available with Windows 10. To check the settings, follow theses steps:

Select Settings in the Start Menu >  select Network and Internet > select WiFi in the left pane menu > and disable the options below as they may cause the network to refresh automatically and result in intermittent Wi-Fi disconnects:
  1. Wi-Fi Sense (connects to suggested Wi-Fi Hotspots)
  2. Hotspot 2.0 Network (connects to Mobile Hotspots)
 
HOW10916_en_US__6Windows
More information and support for your Windows operating systems can be found on our Windows Support webpage.

  HOW10916_en_US__7WiFi Our Network and Wireless support page provides additional information and resources.
Article Properties
Article Number: 000113365
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 10 May 2024
Version:  6
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