Control Wi-Fi using Command Prompt: A Step-by-Step Guide
Connecting to Wi-Fi networks has become one of the most essential requirements for our daily routine. Whether for work or play, a stable Wi-Fi connection is a necessity for everyone. But, with so many devices and operating systems, connecting to Wi-Fi is not always a straightforward process. Sometimes things don’t work as intended, and error messages pop up out of nowhere. Fortunately, advanced users can control Wi-Fi settings using the Command Prompt on Windows 10. Let’s dive into a step-by-step guide on how to control Wi-Fi using Command Prompt.
What is the Command Prompt?
The Command Prompt is a powerful tool within Windows OS that lets advanced users run various commands to control the operating system’s settings. It operates on a simple text-based interface where users can enter commands to perform specific tasks that Windows GUI (Graphical User Interface) cannot do. Using the Command Prompt, users can troubleshoot system issues, control various system settings, and interact with the operating system in ways not possible with the GUI.
Why control Wi-Fi using Command Prompt?
The Control Panel Operating system’s network settings offer easy-to-use Wi-Fi configuration options. However, sometimes, these options are not enough to perform specific tasks. For example, when other network settings conflict with Wi-Fi settings, users often need a detailed insight into network settings that Control Panel doesn’t offer. In such cases, Command Prompt can help users to control Wi-Fi settings and solve issues that Control Panel cannot.
Find Wi-Fi password on Windows 10 using Command Prompt
To find your Wi-Fi password using Command Prompt, follow these steps:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
Step 1 | Launch Command Prompt as Administrator |
Step 2 |
Type netsh wlan show profile and press Enter |
Step 3 |
Locate the Wi-Fi network you want to see the password for and note the profile name. |
Step 4 |
Type netsh wlan show profile name="Wi-Fi-Profile" key=clear, replace Wi-Fi-Profile with the name of the profile you noted in Step 3 |
Step 5 |
Locate the key content section, which will show the Wi-Fi network password. |
Disconnect from Wi-Fi using Command Prompt
Sometimes, Windows GUI is not responsive, and it seems impossible to disconnect from a Wi-Fi network. In such cases, you can use Command Prompt to disconnect. Follow these steps:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
Step 1 | Launch Command Prompt as Administrator and run the following command: netsh interface show interface |
Step 2 |
Locate the interface name for the Wi-Fi network connection from the list, and remember it. |
Step 3 |
Run the following command: netsh interface set interface "Wi-Fi-name" admin=disable, replace Wi-Fi-name with the name of the interface you noted in Step 2 |
Step 4 |
Your system should automatically disconnect from Wi-Fi once you run the above command and reconnect if available. |
Connect to Wi-Fi using Command Prompt
You can connect to a Wi-Fi network using Command Prompt following these steps:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
Step 1 | Launch Command Prompt as Administrator |
Step 2 |
Run the following command: netsh interface show interface, and note the name of the Wi-Fi interface. |
Step 3 |
Run the following command: netsh wlan connect name="Wi-Fi-name", replace Wi-Fi-Name with the name of the network you wish to connect. |
Re-enable Wi-Fi using Command Prompt
If Wi-Fi is disabled due to any reason, you can re-enable it using the Command Prompt following these steps:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
Step 1 | Launch Command Prompt as Administrator. |
Step 2 |
Type the following command: netsh interface set interface "Wi-Fi-name" admin=enable, replace Wi-Fi-name with the name of your Wi-Fi interface. |
Conclusion
Control Wi-Fi using Command Prompt is an effective way to control your Wi-Fi settings when the GUI fails to perform specific tasks. With the step-by-step guide mentioned above, users can control their Wi-Fi settings on Windows 10 using Command Prompt commands with ease and efficiency.
FAQs
Q1. Can I view a Wi-Fi password for a network that I am not currently connected to?
A. No, you cannot see the password of a network which you are not currently, or have not previously connected.
Q2. Can I use PowerShell instead of Command Prompt to control Wi-Fi settings?
A. Yes, you can use PowerShell
