Permanently Deleting Wi-Fi Connection

[MTbowels]

I was given my neighbours laptop about a week ago to fix a fault with some installed software. This was not the first time I've looked at the machine and on previous occasions when I've needed to try it on the internet, it connects without any problem to their router which sits near the party wall between our homes.

This year, they switched the router off accidentally before leaving over the Christmas period. I had no alternative but to provide the laptop with my router username and password to get on the internet via wi-fi.

The problem I'm having now is that my router is listed in the connections wizard and I can't seem to delete the router/connection from the list of devices to connect to. I obviously don't want the neighbour connecting to my network when the laptop returns home.

Could someone very kindly tell me how I can delete the connection please? The laptop uses Vista Home Premium as the OS, but I'd like to know if the same method can be used on a Windows 7 device.

Thank you.

[Buenchico]

I'm surprised that simply right-clicking on the unwanted connection doesn't bring up a 'delete' or 'remove' option. But why not simply change your router's password anyway?

[boxtops]

Your neighbour shouldn't be logging in on your wifi anyway, headwreck - what a cheek!

[boxtops]

^ our wifi is secure - my neighbours can see our connection but can't get in without the password - otherwise anyone could be using it!

[boxtops]

Just keep it to yourself then - if she wants her own wifi she can jolly well pay for it!

[pusskin]

How can you tell whether you are secure or not?

[pusskin]

Thanks headwreck, will try and check that when i see some one who knows how to do these things x

[boxtops]

when I click on the wifi symbol on my laptop, it brings up a schedule of all the wifi connections in our street - ours says "secure" and if anyone clicks on it, it asks for a complicated access code to be entered.

Sorry MT, this isn't helping you with your problem!

[pusskin]

Cheers boxy ---sorry for intrusion MT x

[MTbowels]

Aww c'mon folks, apart from Buenchico, everyone else seems to have veered off the question.
Changing the router password is a major undertaking as there's around a dozen devices connected to it thanks to laptops, desktops, kindles and ipads!

[MTbowels]

I also can't guarantee that I won't be asked to look at the laptop again in a few months as the neighbours are virtually technology illiterate! Changing the password every time would be a right chore.

[bednobs]

if chrises idea does not work, it seems changing your password is the best option - 1 blast of changing everything isn't too bad is it? if they ask you to check it in future, their broadband will be on won't it, so it wont come up again

[sunny-dave]

From a microsoft support forum :

Follow the steps below to remove old Network Connections on your Windows 7 computer.

1) Use your mouse to click the Start menu and select the Control Panel.

2) Click the "Network and Internet" button once the Control Panel loads and select the Network and Sharing Center.

3) Click the "Manage network connections" tab.

4) Look for the old network connections you wish to remove in the scroll box. Depending on how many connections you currently have in Windows Vista it is possible you'll need to scroll a bit to find the one you wish to remove.

5) Click on the old connection you wish to remove.

6) Click the "Remove" button.

7) Confirm your selection by pressing "Yes" when asked whether you are sure you wish to remove the connection. You may also elect to press "Cancel" or "No" to return you to the previous screen and prevent the connection's removal.

8) Note that you can also change network connections through the network wizard. Simply click Start, then "Connect To" and "Show all connections."

9) Select the network connection you wish to change by right-clicking on it and selecting the option you wish. You can choose to "Disable" the connection, which would have roughly the same effect as completely removing it, rendering it inactive.

10)Press the "Delete" key after clicking on a network connection in the Network Connection window. This will completely delete the connection in the same way that removing it from the Control Panel would.

Varun J: MICROSOFT SUPPORT

[sunny-dave]

A tidier way of doing it would be to leave your network on the neighbour's laptop, but amend the password held on their laptop to be incorrect - so that it will always fail to connect ...

... then if you need to use your own network from their laptop in the future it will be a simple matter to put the correct password back in for a short period ...

[MTbowels]

Chris, you were right all along. Your suggestion worked a treat - I wasn't thinking straight last night. Thank you.

Sunny-dave, your suggestion to change the password on the laptop is a cracking idea. I'll keep that in mind for the next time. Thanks.