How to Forget a Wi-Fi Network on Your Laptop

To forget a Wi-Fi network on a Windows laptop, open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks, find the saved network, and select Forget. Windows removes that saved Wi-Fi profile, so the laptop should stop connecting to it automatically. If you reconnect later, you will normally need to enter the network credentials again.

The same basic method works on Windows 11 and Windows 10, although the screens look different. You can also remove a saved profile with Command Prompt by using netsh wlan delete profile name="NetworkName".

Last updated: September 22, 2026. The Windows Settings paths and command-line syntax below were rechecked against current Microsoft documentation.

How to Forget a Wi-Fi Network on a Laptop

The safest method across current Windows 11 and Windows 10 installations is to remove the network from Manage known networks. This works even when the Wi-Fi network is not currently connected.

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Network & internet.
3. Select Wi-Fi.
4. Open Manage known networks.
5. Find the saved Wi-Fi network you want to remove.
6. Select Forget.

Your taskbar’s network icon is still useful for checking your current connection and nearby Wi-Fi networks, but the Settings route is the clearest method when you need to remove a saved profile.

Windows 11: Forget a Wi-Fi Network

On Windows 11, use the Settings app to remove a saved wireless profile:

1. Open Start and select Settings.
2. Select Network & internet.
3. Select Wi-Fi.
4. Select Manage known networks.
5. Find the network you no longer want saved.
6. Select Forget.

After the profile is removed, Windows should no longer use its saved connection settings to join that network automatically.

Windows 10: Forget a Wi-Fi Network

The Windows 10 procedure is similar:

1. Open Start > Settings.
2. Select Network & Internet.
3. Select Wi-Fi.
4. Open Manage known networks.
5. Select the network you want to remove.
6. Select Forget.

Where Is Manage Known Networks?

In Windows, Manage known networks is the page that lists Wi-Fi profiles your computer has saved. It is different from the list of Wi-Fi networks currently broadcasting nearby.

Use this path:

Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks

If the network appears here, Windows still has a saved profile for it.

Can You Forget a Network From the Taskbar?

The network icon on the taskbar opens your current connection controls and nearby Wi-Fi list. Some Windows versions or builds may expose additional network-management shortcuts there, but the available controls can vary.

For instructions that work more consistently across Windows 10 and Windows 11, use Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks.

How Do You Pick the Correct Saved Network?

Wi-Fi networks are listed by their network name, also called the SSID. If several saved networks have similar names, check carefully before clicking Forget.

The network might be an old home router, office connection, school network, hotel Wi-Fi, public hotspot, guest network, or phone hotspot you no longer use.

Manage Known Networks: What Does “Forget” Remove?

When you select Forget, Windows removes the saved WLAN profile associated with that network from the laptop. That means Windows no longer has that profile available for automatic reconnection.

Microsoft’s current Windows troubleshooting guidance uses the same path: Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks, followed by selecting the network and choosing Forget. See the Microsoft Support Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide.

If you reconnect later, Windows can create a new profile when you enter the required network credentials again.

Locate the Network You Wish to Forget

Open Manage known networks and look for the exact SSID you want to remove. You do not have to be within range of that Wi-Fi network for it to appear in the saved-profile list.

• Check the spelling of the network name.
• Distinguish similarly named home, guest, 2.4 GHz, or 5 GHz networks if your router uses separate names.
• Make sure you are removing the saved profile you actually intend to delete.

Confirm the Network Was Forgotten

After selecting Forget, return to Manage known networks and check whether that SSID is still listed. If it is gone, the saved profile has been removed.

Do not use the normal available-networks list as your only check. A forgotten network can still appear there whenever its router or access point is broadcasting nearby.

Check the Saved Profile List

• Open Manage known networks.
• Search for the network you removed.
• If it is absent, Windows no longer lists it as a saved profile.

If Windows Shows a Confirmation Prompt

Some Windows interfaces or configurations may show an additional confirmation step. If one appears, check the SSID again before approving the removal.

If no confirmation appears, the profile may simply be removed immediately after you select Forget.

Why Does the Network Still Appear After I Forget It?

A Wi-Fi network can still appear under available networks after you forget it. This usually means the router or access point is nearby and broadcasting its SSID; it does not by itself mean Windows still has the network saved.

• Manage known networks tells you whether Windows has a saved profile.
• Available networks tells you which Wi-Fi signals the laptop can currently detect.
• If the SSID is absent from Manage known networks, the profile has been forgotten even if the SSID remains visible nearby.

Do You Need to Restart After Forgetting Wi-Fi?

Usually, no. Removing a Wi-Fi profile normally takes effect without restarting the laptop.

If Settings does not update correctly or the profile still appears under Manage known networks, restart Windows once and check again. If the profile remains saved, use Command Prompt to verify and remove it.

Check for Remaining Saved Wi-Fi Profiles

If you want to confirm what Windows still has saved, open Command Prompt and run:

netsh wlan show profiles

This displays the WLAN profiles Windows knows about. Check the list for the exact profile name you intended to remove.

If it remains, use:

netsh wlan delete profile name="NetworkName"

Replace NetworkName with the exact profile name shown by Windows.

How to Reconnect After Forgetting a Wi-Fi Network

Forgetting a network does not block you from ever using it again. To reconnect:

1. Open the Wi-Fi list from the taskbar.
2. Select the network you want to join.
3. Select Connect.
4. Enter the current network credentials when prompted.
5. Choose the automatic-connect option only if you want Windows to save and use the connection again.

If the network does not appear, make sure Wi-Fi is enabled and that the laptop is within range of the router or access point.

Forget vs Disconnect vs Network Reset

These Windows networking actions solve different problems:

Use Forget for one problematic saved Wi-Fi network. Do not jump straight to Network reset when only one profile needs to be removed.

Use Command Prompt to Forget a Wi-Fi Network

Command Prompt is useful when Settings does not remove the network or when you want to verify saved profiles directly.

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Type Command Prompt and open it.
3. Run the following command to list saved WLAN profiles:

netsh wlan show profiles

Find the exact saved profile name. Then run:

netsh wlan delete profile name="NetworkName"

Replace NetworkName with the profile you want to remove. If the name contains spaces, keep the quotation marks.

Microsoft documents both the show profiles and delete profile commands in its netsh wlan reference.

When Should You Forget a Wi-Fi Network?

Removing a saved network is useful in several common situations:

• The Wi-Fi password or credentials changed: Removing the old profile lets you reconnect with the current information.
• The laptop keeps joining an unwanted network: Forgetting that saved profile prevents Windows from using it for automatic connection.
• You used a temporary public or guest network: Removing it can reduce unwanted future reconnect attempts.
• You no longer use or trust the network: There is little reason to keep an obsolete profile saved.
• You are troubleshooting one network: Recreating the profile can resolve problems caused by outdated saved connection settings.

What Happens After You Forget a Wi-Fi Network?

Forgetting a network affects the saved Wi-Fi profile on the Windows computer where you perform the action.

• The laptop should stop using that saved profile to reconnect automatically.
• The SSID can still appear under available networks when the router is nearby.
• You can reconnect later by selecting the network and providing its current credentials.
• Other computers, phones, tablets, and the router itself are not removed or changed by this action.

In other words, Forget removes the laptop’s saved relationship with that Wi-Fi network. It does not switch off the router or erase the network for everyone else.

Troubleshooting If the Network Will Not Disappear

If a network seems to remain after you click Forget, first determine whether you are seeing a saved profile or merely a nearby Wi-Fi signal.

• Check Manage known networks: If the SSID is absent there, the saved profile has been removed.
• Check with Command Prompt: Run netsh wlan show profiles to see the saved WLAN profiles.
• Delete the profile directly: Run netsh wlan delete profile name="NetworkName" if it is still listed.
• Restart Windows if Settings appears stuck: Then check Manage known networks again.
• Reserve Network reset for broader problems: It resets more than one Wi-Fi profile and should not be the first fix for a single saved network.

Related Guides

• Network-Attached Storage

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I forget a Wi-Fi network on my laptop?

Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks, find the saved network, and select Forget. You can also remove a saved profile with netsh wlan delete profile name="NetworkName".

How do I delete previously connected Wi-Fi networks?

Open Manage known networks, locate each saved network you no longer need, and select Forget. For a command-line check, use netsh wlan show profiles to list saved profiles first.

How do I clear Wi-Fi history on a laptop?

Windows does not provide one general “clear Wi-Fi history” button for this task. If you mean saved Wi-Fi profiles, remove unwanted networks from Manage known networks or list them with netsh wlan show profiles and delete the profiles you no longer need.

Is forgetting a Wi-Fi network the same as clearing the Wi-Fi cache?

No. Choosing Forget removes the saved WLAN profile for that particular network. It should not be treated as a general Windows cache-clearing operation.

Will forgetting a Wi-Fi network delete it from other devices?

No. Forgetting the network removes the saved profile from the Windows computer where you perform the action. Other phones, tablets, computers, and the router itself are not removed by that step.

Can I reconnect after forgetting a network?

Yes. Select the Wi-Fi network from the available networks list and provide its current credentials. If you enable automatic connection again, Windows can save the new profile for future use.

Why can I still see a Wi-Fi network after clicking Forget?

The network may still be physically nearby and broadcasting its SSID. Check Manage known networks or run netsh wlan show profiles. If the profile is absent there, Windows has forgotten it even though the network remains visible in the nearby Wi-Fi list.

Conclusion

To forget a Wi-Fi network on a laptop, use Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks and select Forget beside the saved profile. If Settings does not work, verify the profile with netsh wlan show profiles and remove it with netsh wlan delete profile name="NetworkName".

If the SSID still appears afterward, check whether it is merely showing as a nearby available network. A visible Wi-Fi signal and a saved Windows profile are not the same thing.

Sources

1. Microsoft Support: Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows — supports the current Settings path for forgetting and reconnecting to a Wi-Fi network.
2. Microsoft Learn: netsh wlan — documents the WLAN profile listing and deletion commands used in this guide.
3. Microsoft Support: Windows 10 support ended October 14, 2025 — supports the Windows 10 lifecycle note.