How do i configure Windows 8.1 or 10 to search for WiFi networks in a specific order?

Question

In the days of Windows XP, the Windows Zero Configuration tool allowed me to search for and connect to wireless networks in a specific order. Windows systems I had between XP and 8.1 were all Ethernet connected.

Now I have 8.1 and 10 laptops, which I wish to connect to a wireless access point in another part of the house when the WAP is switched on, but if I am not in that part of the house I leave the WAP off, and the only option then is to connect to the main router and share the WiFi with all the other devices in the house.

Is there a way to configure Windows 8.1 or 10 so that they will use the WAP if it is on but automatically connect to the router if the WAP is off, and do this all automatically? Currently I am selecting the network manually each time I use the laptops. The WAP and router use different SSIDs. If they have the same ID, there is no control over which network is selected.

? · Accepted Answer

As far as I know, you can only change the order in Windows 10 from the command line, as per this post: http://superuser.com/questions/994982/how-can-i-set-wifi-connection-order-in-windows-10

Not sure about Windows 8.1, but the same command lines should work too and there might be a GUI way of doing it.

The long way is to forget all known wireless networks, then rejoin them in the opposite order (start with the one you want to use last, finish with the one you want to use most). Windows will by default join the most recently configured network.

Anonymous · Answer

You need to go into the WLAN adapter and go to properties...

There you will see all the network SSIDs your adapter has connected too.

You can highlight a network SSID and move it up or down... The network SSID at the top will be the most preferred.

Anonymous · Answer

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How do i configure Windows 8.1 or 10 to search for WiFi networks in a specific order?

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