- Windows "remembers" all settings once you join a wireless network, and will automatically reconnect to it when it is in range: this be customized by clicking on the "network" icon in the taskbar:
Tip: if needed, click on the arrow next to the clock to show hidden icons. If you don't see any network, click on the chevron (highlighted in yellow) to expand the networks in range.
- To customize your wireless settings, right-click on your connection and choose Properties.
- The Security tab is selected by default, where you change security and encryption type: the options available depend mostly on the first choice. You can access this information by connecting to your router, typically available at this address: http://192.168.1.1/ (standard IP address). For your PC and router to "talk", both need to match, as well as the network security key.
- To change wireless password, type the new value in the "Network security key" text field: click the "Show characters" checkbox to show normal text instead of the password stars / dots:
- Click on the Connection tab for more settings (which only affect the current connection). • Check the "Connect automatically when this network is in range" for your home or work connection: Windows will look for this (and other networks for which you enabled that settings) whenever the wireless adapter is turned on: it will connect to the first or best connection it finds amongst these.
• When "Connect to a more preferred network if available" is checked (it isn't by default), Windows 7 will continuously scan available networks, and switch to another one if it has a stronger signal. This is only useful if you use your desktop / laptop in an area where multiple private wireless networks are broadcasted - like a university campus or large office.
You can also manually setup the network preference order:
- Type "sharing" in the start menu and click "Network and Sharing Center".
- Click "Manage wireless networks" on the left.
- Drag networks up or down (move the strongest signal to the top).
• A security measure nearly all routers include is to hide their "SSID" - making it invisible to "normal" users (hackers can use sniffers to scan for and detect un-broadcasted network IDs). By checking the "Connect even if the network is not broadcasting its name (SSID)" checkbox, Windows will reconnect to it in all cases (if it doesn't, the router is probably turned off, or the network is down).
• You may see another set of options, depending on your network card: in our case, the Intel adapter allows to customize band selection (mixed / 2.4Ghz / 5.2Ghz), and the ability to enforce a mandatory access point (security feature restricting your computer to only connect to a specific MAC address). - Click OK to apply these changes when you are done.
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