Turn off Wi-Fi scanning on Windows 8

Question

A Windows 8 tablet keeps scanning for Wi-Fi networks even though it's already connected to a preferred one.

I can see some other networks appearing and disappearing in the connectivity area on the right side of the screen. I'd like to turn that feature off so the device sticks to the networks already saved as preferred and doesn't search for new ones; having to enter the SSID manually whenever needed is fine with me.

I know I can turn the Airplane mode on but then I won't be able to use my home network.

Tried to search for wifi scan off but all it shows me is about Android. Tried changing the query to be wifi scan off windows but there's literally nothing relevant, not even questions.

How do I turn Wi-Fi discovery off? I don't need the device constantly scanning the new networks. Thanks

Solution

Well, it seems to me that you want to stop Windows to inform you when new networks are found. Then you can go to to

settings -> wifi -> advanced-> and uncheck "notify me when new networks are found".

And if you want to turn on or off network discovery here is how, it is realy nice explenation for windows 7, but I think it shuold be the same

Comments

[Ramhound]

here

[WhatHiFi]

@screener suggested removing the desktop tag - not sure what are you trying to accomplish. I got an answer here suggesting a solution for a Windows Phone, while I'm on the desktop version of Windows, so the tag is required.

[WhatHiFi]

@Ramhound well, I see one. Apparently the Windows 8 tag didn't work for that person. I'm on desktop windows, since there's no windows-desktop tag, I'm using that one.

[WhatHiFi]

This might work on a windows phone device, but I'm on a desktop version. Thanks for your input anyway

[WhatHiFi]

@Ramhound are you sure? q=notify+me+when+new+networks+are+found

[WhatHiFi]

@Ramhound yes, that's the same information as you provided in comments to the question - and thanks, but that's not what I was asking about. My issue had nothing to do with network discovery. I've posted the solution in my answer below.