Re: Checking/Unchecking "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings"

From: Steve Winograd [MVP] (winograd_at_pobox.com)
Date: 09/19/04 

Date: Sun, 19 Sep 2004 10:35:48 -0600

In article <ZTO2d.210072$mD.9300@attbi_s02>, "Fred Taylor"
<freddyt@yahoo.com> wrote:
>There are a bunch of idiots in my neighborhood that don't know about turning
>off wireless network name broadcasting. As a result, my wireless adapters
>keep drifting and I lose my connection every few minutes. Because of this,
>I'm forced to uncheck "Use Windows to configure my wireless network
>settings" in the "Wireless Network Connection Properties" dialog.
>
>Of course, after Windows boots up, I need to check the box in order to first
>establish the connection. Once the connection is established, I uncheck the
>setting in order to prevent drifting. This works well, but it is a total
>pain in the ass to even get to the dialog. Here are the steps involved:
>
>1. Right-click the wireless network connection icon in the task tray.
>2. Select "View Available Wireless Networks".
>3. Click "Advanced..." button from the "Wireless Network Connection" dialog.
>4. Check "Use Windows to configure..." from the "Wireless Networks" tab.
>5. Click the OK button.
>6. Wait for Windows to establish the wireless network connection.
>7. Repeat steps 1 through 3.
>8. Uncheck "Use Windows to configure..."
>9. Click the OK button.
>
>All this to prevent my wireless connection from drifting.
>
>Anyway, is there any way to check or uncheck the "Use Windows to
>configure..." setting from the command line? If so, I was thinking I'd
>create a couple of BAT files to check and uncheck this setting.

Some wireless networking gear doesn't work properly if SSID broadcast
is disabled, so your neighbors might not be able to do it. And
disabling it isn't a fool-proof security measure in any case.

Assuming that you haven't installed XP Service Pack 2, here's a
simpler way to fix the problem.

1. Configure your wireless network connection to use Windows.

2. In the Preferred Networks box, click and remove all networks other
than yours.

3. Click Advanced.

4. Un-check "Automatically connect to non-preferred networks". 

-- 
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)
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