Can I have more than 1 router set to "automatically connect"?

coaster

New member
Can I have more than 1 router set to "automatically connect"?

Hello All

When using windows 7, there's the option of connecting automatically to the wireless router.
If I take my laptop to a friend's house and select automatically connect there, will that delete my own router's details at home?
 

My Computer

OS
windows 95, 32 bit
No. Windows will store connection details (including whether or not to connect automatically) for each wireless connection it finds.

You can also go to Control Panel -> Network and Sharing Center, then click on the left side on Manage wireless networks. Once there you'll see all the routers your computer has ever connected to and can configure each one to either connect automatically or not, and even change the order in which Windows tries to find the networks and connect to them.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom-built
OS
Windows 7 Professional SP1 32-bit
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz
Motherboard
Asus PL5D2
Memory
4GB DDR2-667 (4x1GB in dual-channel config)
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia GeForce 9800 GT
Sound Card
Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer P236H
Screen Resolution
1920x1200 (DVI)
Hard Drives
OCZ SSD Vertex Plus 60GB SATA (Firmware 3.55), 64MB cache
Hitachi HD321KJ SATA, 320GB, 7200rpm, 16MB cache
PSU
Antec TruePower 2.0
Case
Cooler Master Centurion
Cooling
Too many fans
Keyboard
Standard
Mouse
Microsoft wireless optical mouse
Internet Speed
AT&T U-verse (18mbit/sec)
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
Other devices:
Compaq CQ-60 laptop
Google Nexus 7 (2012) tablet
Nvidia SHIELD tablet (US/LTE)
Hardkernel ODROID-XU single-board computer (Samsung Exynos 5420)
Very welcome. :)
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom-built
OS
Windows 7 Professional SP1 32-bit
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz
Motherboard
Asus PL5D2
Memory
4GB DDR2-667 (4x1GB in dual-channel config)
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia GeForce 9800 GT
Sound Card
Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer P236H
Screen Resolution
1920x1200 (DVI)
Hard Drives
OCZ SSD Vertex Plus 60GB SATA (Firmware 3.55), 64MB cache
Hitachi HD321KJ SATA, 320GB, 7200rpm, 16MB cache
PSU
Antec TruePower 2.0
Case
Cooler Master Centurion
Cooling
Too many fans
Keyboard
Standard
Mouse
Microsoft wireless optical mouse
Internet Speed
AT&T U-verse (18mbit/sec)
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
Other devices:
Compaq CQ-60 laptop
Google Nexus 7 (2012) tablet
Nvidia SHIELD tablet (US/LTE)
Hardkernel ODROID-XU single-board computer (Samsung Exynos 5420)
Get Windows 8 Developer Preview and this option might change. It looks like you can set to auto connect to multiple wifi. Don't have more than one router so cannot test it for you.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Lenovo ThinkPad T60
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit
CPU
GenuineIntel Intel(R) Core(TM) DuoCore T2400 @ 1.83GHz
Motherboard
Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family)
Memory
2.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Mobile Intel(R) 945 Express Chipset
Sound Card
SoundMAX Integrated Digital HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
ThinkPad Display
Screen Resolution
1400x1050
Hard Drives
100Gb SATA
Keyboard
Standard Keyboard
Mouse
HID-compliant Mouse
Internet Speed
Cable Broadband - 54Mbps
Other Info
Intel(R) PRO/1000 PL Network Connection
11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Express Adapter
You mean Windows 8 can connect to multiple routers simultaneously? ...To what end? :confused:
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom-built
OS
Windows 7 Professional SP1 32-bit
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz
Motherboard
Asus PL5D2
Memory
4GB DDR2-667 (4x1GB in dual-channel config)
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia GeForce 9800 GT
Sound Card
Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer P236H
Screen Resolution
1920x1200 (DVI)
Hard Drives
OCZ SSD Vertex Plus 60GB SATA (Firmware 3.55), 64MB cache
Hitachi HD321KJ SATA, 320GB, 7200rpm, 16MB cache
PSU
Antec TruePower 2.0
Case
Cooler Master Centurion
Cooling
Too many fans
Keyboard
Standard
Mouse
Microsoft wireless optical mouse
Internet Speed
AT&T U-verse (18mbit/sec)
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
Other devices:
Compaq CQ-60 laptop
Google Nexus 7 (2012) tablet
Nvidia SHIELD tablet (US/LTE)
Hardkernel ODROID-XU single-board computer (Samsung Exynos 5420)
You mean Windows 8 can connect to multiple routers simultaneously? ...To what end? :confused:

I can think of a couple of uses. Load balancing for one thing. Windows 7 was supposed to have this, but it doesn't work very well if you try and run Ethernet and wireless.

So if you have two internet connections you can run them both simultaneously and use both's bandwidth.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Medion Erazer (note to self: insert model number) - with custom additions
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64
CPU
Intel Core i5 7400 @ 3.00GHz
Motherboard
OEM supllied with PC
Memory
8GB 2133Mhz DDR4 (OEM supplied)
Graphics Card(s)
Gygabyte Windforce GTX 1050Ti (Factory Overclocked)
Sound Card
Realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer Al1980 + HKC
Screen Resolution
1360*768(HKC) / 1280*1024(Acer)
Hard Drives
1TB Toshiba
1TB WD Caviar Green
120GB Samsung Evo 840
PSU
OEM supplied (no power rating on case)
Case
OEM Supplied
Cooling
Stock
Keyboard
Logitech Wireless
Mouse
Logitect Wireless
Internet Speed
40Mb/s Down 10Mb/s Up
Antivirus
Defender
Browser
Firefox
Intriguing!

But I can't help but wonder if paying for two separate Internet accounts would actually be cheaper than having one very fast connection...
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom-built
OS
Windows 7 Professional SP1 32-bit
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz
Motherboard
Asus PL5D2
Memory
4GB DDR2-667 (4x1GB in dual-channel config)
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia GeForce 9800 GT
Sound Card
Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer P236H
Screen Resolution
1920x1200 (DVI)
Hard Drives
OCZ SSD Vertex Plus 60GB SATA (Firmware 3.55), 64MB cache
Hitachi HD321KJ SATA, 320GB, 7200rpm, 16MB cache
PSU
Antec TruePower 2.0
Case
Cooler Master Centurion
Cooling
Too many fans
Keyboard
Standard
Mouse
Microsoft wireless optical mouse
Internet Speed
AT&T U-verse (18mbit/sec)
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
Other devices:
Compaq CQ-60 laptop
Google Nexus 7 (2012) tablet
Nvidia SHIELD tablet (US/LTE)
Hardkernel ODROID-XU single-board computer (Samsung Exynos 5420)
Intriguing!

But I can't help but wonder if paying for two separate Internet accounts would actually be cheaper than having one very fast connection...

I am inclined to agree although I can see certain scenarios where it would be useful.

Just as an example, here in the UK 90% of our broadband is ADSL (up to 8Mb or up to 20Mb depending on where you live).

Now ADSL is limited primarily by the length of your line. If you live far away from the exchange and your line is only receiving say 2Mb/s then there is bugger all you can do. Your Line will ALWAYS get 2Mb/s. It's a physical limitation of the technology.

You can't pay a bit more and get a faster connection, as that's as fast as it goes where you are. You could however, get a 2nd phone line put in, and with load balancing get 4Mb/s (well slightly less with overheads, but you know what I mean)

As another example, Windows 8 is Tablet focused. What if you are in Starbucks (or wherever) and are picking up multiple open Wifi hotspots? If you were to load balance them, it would be much faster. (Lets face it, open Wifi isn't exactly quick)
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Medion Erazer (note to self: insert model number) - with custom additions
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64
CPU
Intel Core i5 7400 @ 3.00GHz
Motherboard
OEM supllied with PC
Memory
8GB 2133Mhz DDR4 (OEM supplied)
Graphics Card(s)
Gygabyte Windforce GTX 1050Ti (Factory Overclocked)
Sound Card
Realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer Al1980 + HKC
Screen Resolution
1360*768(HKC) / 1280*1024(Acer)
Hard Drives
1TB Toshiba
1TB WD Caviar Green
120GB Samsung Evo 840
PSU
OEM supplied (no power rating on case)
Case
OEM Supplied
Cooling
Stock
Keyboard
Logitech Wireless
Mouse
Logitect Wireless
Internet Speed
40Mb/s Down 10Mb/s Up
Antivirus
Defender
Browser
Firefox
I'm liking this more and more. :)
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom-built
OS
Windows 7 Professional SP1 32-bit
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz
Motherboard
Asus PL5D2
Memory
4GB DDR2-667 (4x1GB in dual-channel config)
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia GeForce 9800 GT
Sound Card
Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer P236H
Screen Resolution
1920x1200 (DVI)
Hard Drives
OCZ SSD Vertex Plus 60GB SATA (Firmware 3.55), 64MB cache
Hitachi HD321KJ SATA, 320GB, 7200rpm, 16MB cache
PSU
Antec TruePower 2.0
Case
Cooler Master Centurion
Cooling
Too many fans
Keyboard
Standard
Mouse
Microsoft wireless optical mouse
Internet Speed
AT&T U-verse (18mbit/sec)
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
Other devices:
Compaq CQ-60 laptop
Google Nexus 7 (2012) tablet
Nvidia SHIELD tablet (US/LTE)
Hardkernel ODROID-XU single-board computer (Samsung Exynos 5420)

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Lenovo ThinkPad T60
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit
CPU
GenuineIntel Intel(R) Core(TM) DuoCore T2400 @ 1.83GHz
Motherboard
Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family)
Memory
2.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Mobile Intel(R) 945 Express Chipset
Sound Card
SoundMAX Integrated Digital HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
ThinkPad Display
Screen Resolution
1400x1050
Hard Drives
100Gb SATA
Keyboard
Standard Keyboard
Mouse
HID-compliant Mouse
Internet Speed
Cable Broadband - 54Mbps
Other Info
Intel(R) PRO/1000 PL Network Connection
11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Express Adapter
Heh, even if I wanted to...I don't have multiple Internet connections laying around. I just find the whole idea intriguing, that's all.

(We've kinda gone a bit off-topic here anyway...)
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom-built
OS
Windows 7 Professional SP1 32-bit
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz
Motherboard
Asus PL5D2
Memory
4GB DDR2-667 (4x1GB in dual-channel config)
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia GeForce 9800 GT
Sound Card
Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer P236H
Screen Resolution
1920x1200 (DVI)
Hard Drives
OCZ SSD Vertex Plus 60GB SATA (Firmware 3.55), 64MB cache
Hitachi HD321KJ SATA, 320GB, 7200rpm, 16MB cache
PSU
Antec TruePower 2.0
Case
Cooler Master Centurion
Cooling
Too many fans
Keyboard
Standard
Mouse
Microsoft wireless optical mouse
Internet Speed
AT&T U-verse (18mbit/sec)
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
Other devices:
Compaq CQ-60 laptop
Google Nexus 7 (2012) tablet
Nvidia SHIELD tablet (US/LTE)
Hardkernel ODROID-XU single-board computer (Samsung Exynos 5420)
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