Multiple Wi-Fi adapters connected to Windows 11 are frequently exchanging "Known networks" messages.
Multiple Wi-Fi adapters connected to Windows 11 are frequently exchanging "Known networks" messages.
So I'll start by saying I have been googling and deep diving into this issue for the past week. I have found similar situations to the one I'm in but they remained unanswered. So to begin I am a Tech at Ford, our scan tool (the VCM3) can communicate wirelessly with our computers via two DWA-131 Wireless dongles(one in the VCM one in laptop). I use a MK 2 FZ-55 tough book for a good reason, it sees a ton of abuse in a shop environment. The Problem I have is the DWA-131 sticks out from the laptop, gets caught on things, and in general can end badly. So I noted there is a USB-C port in the drive bay, I have modified the blank drive bay to accept a wifi adapter that has a screw on antenna( I attempted this with the DWA-131, but unless the VCM3 is to my left it has a SUPER weak signal, very bad when programming a modern vehicle). So to my; " please I'm begging for your help question ". I have gotten a generic wireless NIC to work flawlessly with Ford's software and the VCM. My issue is the VCM3 isn't always generating the network for the NIC to connect to, as soon as you disconnect the VCM from the vehicle, it looses power and network disappears. Now on my CF-54 on windows 10, I could tell the second wireless NIC(one for conencting to VCM) to "forget this network" on all networks but the one it connects to the scan tool with. However, in windows 11, even if i tell the NIC(for the scan tool) to forget all networks except the VCM one, windows 11 adds all the known networks from the primary NIC. So as soon as I unplug the VCM, the second NIC connects to shop internet. I have gone through GPO's, local security policy's, registries, .inf files. I honestly don't know what to do, never had this "pulling information from another NIC automatically" What I need to happen is to basically set it so that one of my 2 NICs ONLY connect to one SSID, and nothing else . Now I mentioned "forget this network" that works for like 20 minutes, then suddenly the main NIC's "known networks" get imported to the USB NIC and it connects to shop internet. I will add this doesnt happen with the DWA-131, cant seem to find the setting that gets applied to this thing to prevent it from connecting to any SSID automatically except the VCM, but the range on this adapter is AWFUL for my desired use its like the settings I apply to individual adapters are global only. Whatever I do with one happens to the other I attached a photo cause I don't know If I explained it well
Here are some alternative phrasings for your query:
- Check the guide on blocking Wi-Fi networks for Windows 10.
- Find instructions on securing a network profile to a device adapter.
- Learn how to restrict a network profile on a Windows 10 system.
The initial method works with both adapters using version 11, but I’m testing the alternative. The main problem appears to be Windows 11 enforcing these changes worldwide instead of applying them only to individual adapters where Windows 10 didn’t do that. Or perhaps the relevant setting isn’t available. This is similar to a clear case example. However, I don’t have “Wireless Networking (IEE 8-2.110)” listed in my policies. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answer...adapter-wh
You haven’t found any solutions for your Windows 11 problem, but returning to Windows 10 might be an option. If it functioned well on 10, reinstalling it could be a straightforward fix for you.
On my CF-554 I concealed the DWA-131 dongle inside the laptop and connected an extra antenna wire from the laptop to the DWA-131’s antenna. It performed extremely well despite the complexity of wireless setup. I no longer have any antennas left on that laptop because it supports 4G, GPS, WLAN, and more. I also experimented with a generic antenna purchased from Amazon, soldered it onto the DWA-131, but it worked fine—probably because the unused antenna on the CF-54 was already compatible.
The main issue is windows repeatedly sharing the same known networks between the two adapters. Changing one adapter's settings temporarily fixes it, but the other adapter loses track of that network. I reset the first adapter and then manually added the network again. After some time, the second adapter reconnects to the internet on its own.
The scan tool's software (IDS and VCI manager) adds a registry entry or sets a permanent configuration for their adapter. I've tried various settings and looked through many registry keys, but nothing seems to resolve the issue where only one device can auto-connect to the VCM. Despite checking numerous entries, I'm still unsure what exactly needs to be changed in the WIFI adapter settings. I just wish I could pinpoint what the software modifies to restrict connections to just that device.