I've just noticed something very, very, strange this evening. I see a network with the name/SSID "Hidden network" virtually everywhere that I go. I want to know why I'm seeing this! Its a visible network, with a perfect signal strength, and is actually secured. Its not actually "hidden", because my machine shows its there. Show
When I say I've seen this network everywhere, I do mean everywhere! I see it at school, and now at home! I'm feeling quite creeped out right now Hidden WiFi networks do not broadcast their names, so they are not visible in the list of wireless networks that Windows 10 displays. However, that does not mean that you cannot connect to a hidden WiFi: you can, but you have to know its name, password and other security information. Here are three different ways to connect to hidden Wi-Fi networks, on laptops, tablets and hybrid devices with Windows 10: Advertisement Contents
Contents
What you must know about the hidden Wi-Fi networkWhen you connect to a wireless network that broadcasts its name and is visible in the list of available networks, much of the network configuration is done automatically. All you have to do is enter a password or press the WPS button on the router. However, when you connect to a hidden wireless network, you must know its security information. You have to enter all the details manually:
You can find all this information from the owner of the Wi-Fi network, the IT administrator (if you are in a business environment) or from your wireless router if you are at home. You can also follow the recommendations from this guide: How to find hidden wireless networks (SSIDs) in your area, in Windows. Before trying to connect, make sure that you are in the range of the hidden wireless network. Method 1: Connect to a hidden wireless network using the networks list from the system trayFirst of all, open the list of available Wi-Fi networks, by clicking or tapping the Wi-Fi icon from the system tray (the bottom-right corner of the desktop). If you do not see this icon, read this tutorial to bring it back: How to set the icons shown on the Windows 10 taskbar, in the system tray. The networks icon from the Windows 10 system trayWindows 10 displays all the wireless networks in your area. Scroll through the list until you reach the bottom. That's where you see a Wi-Fi network called Hidden Network. Click or tap this entry. Clicking the Hidden Network from the networks list shown by Windows 10Tick the "Connect automatically" option and then press Connect. The option to connect automatically to the hidden networkYou are now asked to enter the name of the hidden wireless network. Type it and press Next. Entering the SSID of the hidden WiFi networkWhen you are asked to enter the password (or security key) of the hidden network, type it and press Next. Windows 10 spends a few seconds and tries to connect to the hidden Wi-Fi network. If everything went well, you are asked whether you want to allow your PC to be discoverable on this network. Choose Yes or No, depending on what you want. This choice sets the network location or profile and your network sharing settings. If you want to know more and understand this choice, read: What are network locations in Windows?. Choosing whether the network is public or privateYou are now connected to the hidden wireless network. Advertisement Method 2: Connect to a hidden wireless network using the Settings appThe Settings app offers us another method to connect to hidden wireless networks. The first step is to open the Settings and then the Network & Internet category. Windows 10 SettingsSelect Wi-Fi on the left side of the window, and click or tap "Manage known networks" on the right side. On the "Manage known networks" page, click or tap the "+ Add a network" button. Adding a new networkEnter the security information for the hidden wireless network, as follows:
When done completing everything, click or tap Save. Entering the details of the hidden wireless network in Windows 10Once you save the new wireless network, Windows 10 tries to connect to it automatically. If you entered its details correctly, you should connect in no time. Advertisement Method 3: Connect to a hidden wireless network using the Control Panel and the "Set Up a Connection or Network" wizardIf the options shown in the first two methods are not found on your Windows 10 laptop or tablet, then you might be using an older version of Windows 10. If you do not know which, read What version, edition, and type of Windows 10 do I have installed? In this case, you need to try this method instead: open the Control Panel and go to "Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center." There, click or tap the link that says: "Set up a new connection or network." Set up a new connection or networkThe "Set Up a Connection or Network" wizard is started. Choose "Manually connect to a wireless network" and click or tap Next. Manually connect to a wireless networkEnter the security information for your WiFi network in the appropriate fields, as follows:
When done completing everything, click Next. Entering the details of the hidden wireless networkWindows 10 notifies you that it has successfully added the wireless network. Click Close and you are done. The hidden wireless network has been addedIf you are in the range of the hidden wireless network, Windows 10 automatically connects to it. Why do you use hidden WiFi?As you have seen from this tutorial, the procedure for connecting to a hidden network is a bit more complex than the simple process of connecting to WiFi networks that broadcast their name. Also, using a hidden wireless network does not make you more secure. Therefore, before closing this article, we would like to know why you use hidden wireless networks, and where. Is it at home or at work? Comment below and let's discuss. How do I restore my hidden network?Open the system menu. Click the WiFi icon and go to WiFi settings. Press the menu button in the top-right corner of the window and select Connect to Hidden Network.
Why does my computer say my network is hidden?Hidden Wireless Networks
If you configure your wireless router to not broadcast the router Service Set Identifier, or SSID, your network becomes a hidden wireless network. This prevents wireless devices from detecting the network, but it does not prevent the router from broadcasting the actual wireless network signal.
|