Vista Wireless Connection Problem and Solution

Sharing this, as I've long been bugged by this problem and so glad to have stumbled on a setting that fixed it (internet searches had not been fruitful). Thought there might be someone out there who could use this.


Problem: Computer does not automatically get connected to a wireless network. "Connect to a network" dialogue is not responding. Applicable to computers that have seen some mileage.

Platform: Windows Vista (I didn't check if it's applicable to others)

Cause: The system keeps an ordered list of wireless networks to attempt connecting to. Any wireless network that has previously been detected and tried is automatically saved to this list. When the list is overpopulated (mine reached 100+ after 3 years of usage at various locations), with obsolete networks at the top, the system gets stuck in an endless string of failed connection attempts.

Solution: Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Manage Wireless Networks. Clean up the list, and put your preferred wireless network on top. That is all.