Connecting a wireless router to an unpowered laptop
Connecting a wireless router to an unpowered laptop
I lost my Wi-Fi password and had to reset everything. I managed to connect using 192.168.1.1. I noticed that my Wi-Fi name and password have returned to the default settings. I was able to open another browser tab and browse the internet. This is happening on Windows 11, so I need to update the name and password on the laptop. Under Windows 11, there isn’t a forget button where you type in the password. The pop-up on the taskbar shows I’m connected with the original Talk Talk name and password. My tablet works fine, but my mobile phone does not. It requires a password.
Windows 10 on my laptop retains the SSID and password of many hotels I've stayed at during my travels, along with those of friends and family. When I return home, as long as the password or SSID remain unchanged, my device logs in automatically without any questions. This is completely normal behavior.
Clearly your computer has stored the original TalkTalk network details from before you set the default settings, which explains why it can still access the internet after you reset the router. Unless you instruct Windows to "disconnect" a specific Wi-Fi network, it will retain its configurations for years.
If you wish to inspect the SSIDs and passwords saved on your machine, try using Nirsoft's Wireless Key View program.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wireless_key.html
Note: Some antivirus software view Wireless Key View with suspicion, as it behaves similarly to certain malicious programs. If you're concerned, consider uploading it to VirusTotal.com before installing.