Forget WiFi Network Windows 10: Step-by-Step

Forgetting a WiFi network in Windows 10 removes its saved password and connection details from your PC, so your computer will no longer automatically connect to it. This is useful when you want to switch to a different network, fix connection problems, or stop your PC from joining a public or outdated network. You don’t need any special tools—just access to your Windows settings.

What You’ll Need

A Windows 10 PC or laptop with an active user account that has administrator privileges (usually your main account).
If you’re not currently connected to the network, you may need to be within range to see it in the list (though you can often forget it from the saved networks list).

Step-by-Step

Open the Settings app. Click the Start button (Windows logo) in the bottom-left corner, then click the gear icon (Settings). Alternatively, press Windows key + I on your keyboard.
Go to Network & Internet. In the Settings window, click the Network & Internet tile (it looks like a globe with a Wi-Fi symbol).
Open Wi-Fi settings. In the left sidebar, click Wi-Fi. Then click Manage known networks (this link appears under the Wi-Fi toggle switch).
Find the network you want to forget. A list of all WiFi networks your PC has connected to in the past will appear. Scroll through the list until you see the network name (SSID) you want to remove.
Click the network and choose Forget. Click on the network name to highlight it. A Forget button will appear below the list (or on the right side, depending on your Windows version). Click Forget.
Confirm the action (if prompted). Windows may ask you to confirm that you want to forget the network. Click Yes or Forget again.
Done. The network is removed from your known networks list. Your PC will no longer automatically connect to it, and the saved password is deleted.

Common Mistakes

Clicking “Disconnect� instead of “Forget.� Disconnect only stops the current connection; the network remains saved and your PC may reconnect later. You must click Forget to remove it permanently.
Forgetting the wrong network. If you have multiple networks with similar names (e.g., “Home_5G� vs “Home�), double-check the exact name before clicking Forget.
Not being in range. Some older Windows versions only show networks that are currently broadcasting. If the network is out of range, it may not appear in the list. Move closer to the router or use the command-line method (see Troubleshooting).
Assuming “Forget� also disables Wi-Fi. Forgetting a network doesn’t turn off your Wi-Fi adapter; it only removes that specific network from your saved list.

Tips

Use the command prompt for a quick list. If you have many saved networks, open Command Prompt (Admin) and type netsh wlan show profiles to see all of them. To forget one, type netsh wlan delete profile name="NetworkName" (replace NetworkName with the actual name).
Reconnect later. If you forget a network by accident, you can reconnect by clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar, selecting the network, and entering the password again.
Forget public networks. It’s a good idea to forget public or guest networks after you’re done using them, so your PC doesn’t try to connect automatically in the future.
Check for multiple profiles. If you’ve connected to a network with different security types (WPA2 vs WPA3), Windows may store multiple profiles. Forget each one to fully remove it.

Troubleshooting

The network doesn’t appear in “Manage known networks.�

Make sure your Wi-Fi adapter is enabled. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi and toggle the Wi-Fi switch to On.
If the network is out of range, it may not show. Move closer to the router or use the command prompt method: open Command Prompt as administrator, type netsh wlan show profiles, then netsh wlan delete profile name="NetworkName".

You forgot the network but your PC still connects automatically.

This can happen if the network is being broadcast by multiple access points with the same SSID (name). Your PC may have a separate profile for each. Check the list again and forget any duplicate entries.
Also, check if “Connect automatically� is enabled on another profile. Click the Wi-Fi icon, select the network, and uncheck “Connect automatically� before connecting.

You get an “Access denied� error when using the command prompt.

Make sure you’re running Command Prompt as administrator. Right-click the Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).

After forgetting, you can’t reconnect to the network.

Check that you have the correct password. If you don’t, contact the network owner. Also, ensure your Wi-Fi is on and you’re in range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will forgetting a WiFi network delete the network from other devices?

No, forgetting a network only affects the Windows 10 device you’re using. Other devices (e.g., your phone, tablet) will still have the network saved.

Can I forget a network without being connected to it?

Yes, as long as the network is in your “Manage known networks� list, you can forget it even if you’re currently connected to a different network or not connected at all.

What’s the difference between “Disconnect� and “Forget�?

Disconnect stops the current connection but keeps the network saved, so your PC may reconnect later. Forget removes the network entirely, including the password.

How do I forget a network that doesn’t show up in the list?

If the network isn’t in the list, it may have been removed already, or you may need to use the command prompt method: netsh wlan delete profile name="NetworkName".

Will forgetting a network fix my connection problems?

Often yes, especially if the saved password is outdated or the network profile is corrupted. After forgetting, reconnect and enter the password fresh.

Can I forget multiple networks at once?

There’s no built-in “select all� option. You must click each network and press Forget individually. Using the command prompt, you can run a loop to delete multiple profiles, but that’s more advanced.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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