To disable WiFi Sense in Windows 10 and 11, open Registry Editor by pressing Windows + R, typing regedit, then navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WcmSvc\wifinetworkmanager\config and create a DWORD value called AutoConnectAllowedOEM set to 0. You’ll also need to add a new registry key under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\WiFi called AllowAutoConnectToWiFiSenseHotspots with a DWORD value named value set to 0.
Quick Steps:
- Press Windows + R and type
regedit - Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WcmSvc\wifinetworkmanager\config - Create a DWORD (32-bit) value named
AutoConnectAllowedOEMand set it to0 - Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\WiFi - Right-click and create a new key named
AllowAutoConnectToWiFiSenseHotspots - Create a DWORD (32-bit) value inside named
valueand set it to0 - Restart your PC for changes to take effect
Why You Should Disable WiFi Sense
WiFi Sense is a Windows feature that automatically connects your device to open WiFi hotspots and shared networks. While this sounds convenient, it’s a privacy and security risk that most people don’t even know is running on their computer.
Back when I was running my computer repair business, I saw countless clients who had no idea their Windows PC was automatically connecting to random WiFi networks without their permission. This feature can expose your device to unsecured networks where your data could be intercepted.
If you’re serious about controlling your Windows privacy settings, disabling WiFi Sense should be one of your first steps. I personally disable it on every machine I set up.
Detailed Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Open Registry Editor
Press the Windows key and R together on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit and press Enter. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes to grant administrator permissions.
Step 2: Navigate to the WiFi Network Manager Registry Path
In Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WcmSvc\wifinetworkmanager\config. You can either manually expand each folder in the left sidebar or paste the path directly into the address bar at the top of Registry Editor.
Step 3: Create the AutoConnectAllowedOEM Value
Once you’re in the config folder, look for an entry named AutoConnectAllowedOEM on the right side. If it already exists, double-click it and change the value data to 0. If it doesn’t exist, right-click in the empty white space, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it AutoConnectAllowedOEM, then double-click it and set the value to 0.
Step 4: Navigate to the PolicyManager Registry Path
Now navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\WiFi. This is where we’ll create the second registry modification to fully disable WiFi Sense.
Step 5: Create the AllowAutoConnectToWiFiSenseHotspots Key
Right-click on the WiFi folder in the left sidebar and select New > Key. Name this new key AllowAutoConnectToWiFiSenseHotspots and press Enter. Make sure you spell it exactly as shown.
Step 6: Create the Value Entry Inside the New Key
Click on the AllowAutoConnectToWiFiSenseHotspots key you just created. Right-click in the empty white space on the right side and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name this value value (lowercase) and press Enter.
Step 7: Set the Value Data to 0
Double-click the value entry you just created. In the Edit DWORD window, change the value data from 1 to 0 and click OK. This disables the WiFi Sense auto-connect feature.
Step 8: Restart Your Computer
Close Registry Editor and restart your PC for the changes to take effect. After reboot, Windows will no longer automatically connect to WiFi Sense hotspots or shared networks.
Using Winhance to Disable WiFi Sense
If you don’t want to mess with the registry manually, you can use Winhance, my Windows enhancement utility that I created specifically to simplify these types of Windows tweaks. Winhance has a built-in option to disable WiFi Sense along with dozens of other privacy and performance settings you can apply with a single click.
I built Winhance after spending years doing the same registry edits over and over again for clients at my computer repair shop. It’s completely free and open source, and it handles all the registry modifications automatically so you don’t have to worry about typos or navigating complex registry paths.
Common Issues & Solutions
Problem: Can’t find the registry path or it doesn’t exist
Solution: Some registry paths may not exist by default on all Windows installations. If a path is missing, you can manually create it by right-clicking the parent folder and selecting New > Key, then naming it exactly as shown in the path.
Problem: Changes don’t take effect after restart
Solution: Double-check that you created both registry modifications correctly. WiFi Sense requires both the AutoConnectAllowedOEM value and the AllowAutoConnectToWiFiSenseHotspots key to be fully disabled.
Problem: Registry Editor won’t open or shows “Access Denied”
Solution: Make sure you’re logged in with an administrator account. Right-click the Start button, select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin), then type regedit and press Enter to open Registry Editor with elevated privileges.
Problem: Still connecting to random WiFi networks
Solution: Windows has multiple auto-connect features. Check that you’ve also disabled “Connect to suggested open hotspots” in Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage known networks.
FAQ
What is WiFi Sense and why does Windows have it?
WiFi Sense is a feature Microsoft introduced to make it easier to connect to WiFi networks by automatically connecting to open hotspots and networks shared by your contacts. Microsoft’s intention was convenience, but it turned into a privacy and security concern for many users.
Is WiFi Sense still in Windows 11?
Yes, WiFi Sense functionality still exists in Windows 11, though Microsoft has reduced some of the more controversial sharing features. You can still disable it completely using the registry method shown in this guide.
Will disabling WiFi Sense break my WiFi connection?
No, disabling WiFi Sense only prevents Windows from automatically connecting to open hotspots and shared networks. You can still manually connect to any WiFi network you want, and your saved networks will continue to work normally.
Can I re-enable WiFi Sense later?
Yes, just go back to the same registry locations and change the AutoConnectAllowedOEM value from 0 to 1, or delete the AllowAutoConnectToWiFiSenseHotspots key entirely. Restart your PC and WiFi Sense will be active again.
Does this work on Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Yes, this registry method works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The registry paths and values are identical across both operating systems.
