Disable Automatic Wireless Configuration in Windows 7

By Stephen Bucaro

Windows provides two services that configure your PC to connect to a wireless network. WLAN AutoConfig which sets up your computer to connect to a wireless local area network, and WWAN AutoConfig which sets up your computer to connect to mobile broadband services. Both of these services are started automatically when you start your PC. However, if you don't use a wireless network or mobile broadband, for security reasons you may want to disable these services.

To disable WLAN AutoConfig and WWAN AutoConfig, select the Administrative Tools group in Control Panel. In the Administrative Tools window, double-click on Services. In the Services window, scroll down to WLAN AutoConfig. Double-click on WLAN AutoConfig, and in the WLAN AutoConfig Properties dialog box that appears, change Startup type to Manual. Click on the [Apply] button, then click on the [OK] button.

Similarly, to disable WWAN AutoConfig, in the Services window, scroll down to WWAN AutoConfig. Double-click on WWAN AutoConfig, and in the WWAN AutoConfig Properties dialog box that appears, change Startup type to Manual. Click on the [Apply] button, then click on the [OK] button.

Since both of these services were already started, you'll need to restart your PC to make the new startup methods take effect. Now you have one more assurance that someone can't hack into your computer wirelessly.

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• Understanding Windows 7 Security Center
• Three Important Techniques for Securing a Wireless Network
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