Windows 11 automatically saves Wi-Fi network information after you connect to a wireless network. This makes reconnecting easier because Windows can remember the network name, password, and other connection settings.
However, you may sometimes want Windows to forget a Wi-Fi network. This can be useful if you entered an incorrect password, the network configuration has changed, you no longer use a particular connection, or you want Windows to stop automatically connecting to a network.
Windows 11 provides several ways to remove a saved Wi-Fi network. You can forget the network from Settings, use Quick Settings, remove a saved profile through Command Prompt, or manage wireless profiles using Windows Terminal.
Method 1: Forget a Wi-Fi Network From Settings
The easiest way to remove a saved Wi-Fi network is through Windows 11 Settings.
Follow these steps:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Click Network & internet in the left sidebar.
- Select Wi-Fi.
- Click Manage known networks.
- Find the Wi-Fi network you want to remove.
- Click the Forget button next to the network.
Windows will immediately remove the saved network information.
The computer will no longer automatically connect to that network using the previously saved credentials.
If you want to connect to the network again later, select it from the available Wi-Fi networks and enter the password.
This method is the best choice for most users because it provides a simple graphical interface and does not require commands.
Method 2: Forget the Currently Connected Wi-Fi Network
You can also forget a Wi-Fi network from the network settings when your computer is currently connected to it.
Follow these steps:
- Click the Wi-Fi or network icon on the taskbar.
- Open the available network list.
- Right-click the connected network if the option is available.
- Select the option to open its network settings.
- Go to Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks.
- Find the connected network.
- Click Forget.
Depending on your Windows 11 version, the taskbar network menu may provide a slightly different route to the network settings.
If you cannot find the Forget option directly from the network flyout, use the Settings method described above.
After forgetting the network, Windows will disconnect from it and remove its saved connection information.
Method 3: Forget a Wi-Fi Network Using Command Prompt
Command Prompt provides another way to remove saved Wi-Fi profiles. This method is particularly useful if the Settings interface does not work or if you prefer using commands.
First, you need to find the names of saved wireless profiles.
- Press Windows + S.
- Search for Command Prompt.
- Right-click Command Prompt.
- Select Run as administrator.
- Click Yes if User Account Control appears.
- Enter the following command:
netsh wlan show profiles- Press Enter.
Windows will display the Wi-Fi profiles saved on your computer.
Find the exact name of the network you want to remove.
Then run:
netsh wlan delete profile name="Wi-Fi-Name"Replace Wi-Fi-Name with the actual wireless network name.
For example:
netsh wlan delete profile name="Home WiFi"Press Enter.
Windows should confirm that the wireless profile has been deleted.
This removes the saved profile from the computer. If you later connect to the same network, Windows will treat it as a new connection and ask for the necessary credentials.
Method 4: Remove a Wi-Fi Profile Using Windows Terminal
Windows Terminal can also be used to manage saved wireless profiles. This is essentially another interface for running the same netsh networking commands.
To remove a Wi-Fi profile:
- Press Windows + X.
- Select Terminal or Terminal (Admin).
- Approve the administrator prompt if required.
- Enter:
netsh wlan show profiles- Press Enter.
- Find the saved Wi-Fi network you want to remove.
- Run:
netsh wlan delete profile name="Wi-Fi-Name"- Press Enter.
Replace the example network name with the exact name shown in the profile list.
You can use this method when you are already working in Windows Terminal or when you want to manage several network profiles without navigating through Settings.
Be careful when entering the profile name. If the network name contains spaces, keep the quotation marks around it.
Method 5: Forget Several Saved Wi-Fi Networks
If you have accumulated many old wireless networks, you can remove them individually through Settings or use Command Prompt to delete specific profiles.
First, display your saved profiles:
netsh wlan show profilesReview the list carefully.
For each network you want to remove, run:
netsh wlan delete profile name="Wi-Fi-Name"For example:
netsh wlan delete profile name="Office WiFi"Then repeat the command for another unwanted profile.
Only delete profiles that you no longer need. Saved Wi-Fi profiles can be useful when you regularly travel between locations or reconnect to known networks.
If you only want to stop Windows from automatically connecting to a network, you may not need to delete the profile. Instead, adjust the connection settings or disable automatic connection where appropriate.
Method 6: Reconnect to a Forgotten Wi-Fi Network
Forgetting a network does not block the network permanently. You can connect to it again whenever you want.
After forgetting the network:
- Click the network icon on the Windows 11 taskbar.
- Click the Wi-Fi connection control.
- Look for the wireless network in the available network list.
- Select the network.
- Click Connect.
- Enter the Wi-Fi password.
- Continue with the connection process.
Windows will create a new saved profile after you connect and choose to save the connection.
If the network does not appear, make sure the wireless adapter is enabled and that you are within range of the router or access point.
For hidden networks, you may need to manually enter the network name and other connection information.
Method 7: Fix Problems After Forgetting a Wi-Fi Network
Forgetting and reconnecting to a wireless network can resolve several common connection problems, but sometimes additional troubleshooting is required.
If Windows still cannot connect after forgetting the network, try these steps:
- Restart your computer.
- Restart the Wi-Fi router.
- Make sure Wi-Fi is enabled.
- Check that you are selecting the correct network.
- Enter the correct Wi-Fi password.
- Check whether another device can connect to the same network.
- Update the wireless network adapter driver if necessary.
- Run the Windows network troubleshooter.
You can also remove the Wi-Fi profile again and reconnect from scratch.
If other devices can connect normally but your Windows 11 computer cannot, the problem may be related to the PC’s network adapter, driver, or network configuration rather than the saved Wi-Fi password.
If multiple networks are affected, consider using Windows’ broader network reset feature instead of repeatedly deleting individual profiles.
Conclusion
Forgetting a Wi-Fi network in Windows 11 is useful when you want to remove old connection information, correct an incorrect saved password, or prevent Windows from automatically using a particular wireless network.
For most users, the easiest method is Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks, where you can select a network and click Forget.
Advanced users can also use Command Prompt or Windows Terminal with the netsh wlan commands to view and delete saved wireless profiles. After forgetting a network, you can reconnect at any time by selecting it from the available Wi-Fi networks and entering its password again.
If forgetting and reconnecting does not solve a connection problem, restart your router and computer, check the wireless adapter, and investigate broader network configuration issues.
FAQs
1. How do I forget a Wi-Fi network in Windows 11?
Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks, find the saved network, and click Forget.
2. Can I forget a Wi-Fi network using Command Prompt?
Yes. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
netsh wlan show profilesFind the network name, then use:
netsh wlan delete profile name="Wi-Fi-Name"Replace Wi-Fi-Name with the actual saved profile name.
3. Can I reconnect to a Wi-Fi network after forgetting it?
Yes. Forgetting a network only removes its saved connection information. You can select the network again from the available Wi-Fi networks and enter its password to reconnect.
4. Why can’t I forget a Wi-Fi network in Windows 11?
If the Forget option is unavailable or does not work, try removing the profile with the netsh wlan delete profile command. You can also restart Windows and try the Settings method again.
Quick Summary
- Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks to forget a saved network.
- Use
netsh wlan show profilesto view saved Wi-Fi profiles. - Use
netsh wlan delete profile name="Wi-Fi-Name"to remove a profile from Command Prompt or Windows Terminal. - You can reconnect to a forgotten network later by selecting it and entering its password again.