Windows is a powerful operating system as well as a useful one. But in order to get the most out of it, the best thing we can do is connect it to a network, whatever type it is. This opens up important possibilities for us, either by making use of a local network, or a more global one, such as the Internet. But, in any case, how can we prevent Windows itself from connecting to the Internet? Is there a solution beyond disconnecting the cable?
We will now achieve greater security
This occurs in several cases. For example; When Windows is configured to receive updates from an update service, it starts to periodically retrieve information from the public Windows Update service. This event occurs by design, primarily to enable future connections to Windows Update and other services.
What it does is automatically connect to the Internet , although all administrators experience the same challenges managing updates to this famous operating system: installing them quickly, managing them without affecting workflow, and preventing any unexpected reboots from affecting the system. the productivity.
However, sometimes additional problems can occur. Thus, and in order to prevent Windows from making that connection, we must follow a series of steps. What we will do with it directly is to have greater security , since it is not the same to use, for example, a connection in our workplace than at home.
How can we do it
In this sense, what Windows does is automatically connect to WiFi networks to which it has previously connected. In Windows 10, for example, we can tell it not to automatically connect to certain networks. And no; no wiring is necessary.
To that end, Windows will remember your passphrase and other connection details, but will only connect when you manually initiate a connection. This is useful for public WiFi networks that you don’t always want to connect to automatically, especially if they require a connection.
Thus, and to prevent Windows from doing it automatically, what we can do is simply choose that option while connecting to a network. Therefore, blocking computers can be an interesting alternative to use them with greater peace of mind. This, more than anything in consideration of shared networks in public places.
From Settings
The first method to avoid the annoying automatic connections to the Internet of Windows is the Settings of the operating system itself. In fact, we advise you to start by trying this solution .
- Open Settings from the Start of your computer.
- Select the Network tab and go to the WiFi section to customize.
- It indicates which is the public and in use WiFi network to which it automatically connects.
- You’ll see the Automatically connect when in range feature appear there.
- How could it be otherwise, you just have to disable that feature.
From then on, what your computer will do is automatically stop connecting to the network of your favorite café, for example.
From the control panel
As you know, Control Panel is a feature of the Windows operating system that allows the user to modify system settings and controls. Includes several small applications, or control panels, that can be used to view and change hardware or software settings
In those, as most of the basic actions that we can access from the Settings, they are also available in the Control Panel. Therefore, if you prefer, we can also prevent Windows from connecting to the internet from here:
- In Control Panel look for Network and Internet.
- Select Network and Sharing Center.
- There it looks for the network that you are using or that causes the problem.
- Click on Change adapter settings to view and click on the network.
- Enter the Wireless Properties to see all the details of this connection.
- There you need to uncheck Automatically connect when this network is in range.
Disconnect from the Internet with the Firewall
Another practical solution that we can have to block Windows from connecting to the Internet automatically is through the Firewall . To do this, what we have to do is locate the executable of the program to which we want to block access to the Internet, because, although we might think that direct access is enough, there are cases in which the updates of a program they are handled by a separate executable.
In this case, where we have a shortcut on the desktop, we will right-click on the icon and click on Properties, where a window with the properties of the shortcut will open. Once there, we will click on Open location, and we will be taken directly to the folder that houses the executable.
- Open the start menu and type Windows Defender Firewall; the option that will appear selected is the one that interests us.
- It is at this point that we can start blocking internet access for our application by applying inbound rules and outbound rules.
- To create a rule, we will click on the New rule… button in the Actions menu on the right, and we will select the Program option among the options that are given to us, where by pressing Next we will be asked for the application path.
- By clicking on Next, we can see the options we have for the input rule that we are creating, where we can choose between allowing the connection, allowing the connection if it is secure, or blocking the connection, which is what interests us.