Import Wi-Fi settings for Windows devices in Intune

Important

On October 22, 2022, Microsoft Intune ended support for devices running Windows 8.1. Technical assistance and automatic updates on these devices aren't available.

If you currently use Windows 8.1, then we recommend moving to Windows 10/11 devices. Microsoft Intune has built-in security and device features that manage Windows 10/11 client devices.

On Windows devices, you can export Wi-Fi settings to an XML file, and then import these settings in Intune. Using these imported settings, you can create a Wi-Fi profile, and then deploy it to your devices.

This feature applies to:

  • Windows 11
  • Windows 10
  • Windows Holographic for Business
  • Windows 8.1 and newer

This article shows you how to export Wi-Fi settings from a Windows device, and then import these settings in to Intune.

Note

  • On Windows 10/11, you can create a Wi-Fi profile directly in Intune. You don't have to import a file.
  • For Windows 8.1 devices, you must export and import Wi-Fi settings to create and deploy Wi-Fi profiles.

Export Wi-Fi settings from a Windows device

Use netsh wlan to export an existing Wi-Fi profile to an XML file readable by Intune. On a Windows computer that has the WiFi profile, use the following steps:

  1. Create a local folder for the exported Wi-Fi profiles, such as c:\WiFi.
  2. Open a command prompt as an administrator.
  3. Run the netsh wlan show profiles command. Note the name of the profile you'd like to export. In our example, the profile name is ContosoWiFi.
  4. Run the netsh wlan export profile name="ContosoWiFi" folder=c:\Wifi command. This command creates a Wi-Fi profile file named Wi-Fi-ContosoWiFi.xml in your target folder.

Important

  • If you're exporting a Wi-Fi profile that includes a pre-shared key, you must add key=clear to the command. The key must be exported in plain text to successfully use the profile. For example, enter:

    netsh wlan export profile name="ProfileName" key=clear folder=c:\Wifi

  • Using a pre-shared key with Windows 10/11 causes a remediation error to show in Intune. When this happens, the Wi-Fi profile is properly assigned to the device, and the profile works as expected.

  • If you export a Wi-Fi profile that includes a pre-shared key, be sure the file is protected. The key is in plain text. It's your responsibility to protect the key.

Import the Wi-Fi settings into Intune

  1. Sign in to the Microsoft Intune admin center.

  2. Select Devices > Configuration > Create.

  3. Enter the following properties:

    • Platform: Select Windows 8.1 and later.

      Even though you select Windows 8.1, this feature still applies to Windows 10/11 and Windows Holographic.

    • Profile type: Select Wi-Fi import.

  4. Select Create.

  5. In Basics, enter the following properties:

    • Name: This setting is the profile name. You must enter the same name as the name attribute in the Wi-Fi profile xml. If you enter a different name, the profile fails.
    • Description: Enter a description for the profile. This setting is optional, but recommended. For example, enter Imported Wi-Fi profile for Windows Holographic devices.
  6. Select Next.

  7. In Configuration settings, enter the following properties:

    • Connection name: Enter a name for the Wi-Fi connection. This name is shown to users when they browse available Wi-Fi networks. For example, enter ContosoWiFi.
    • Profile XML: Select the browse button, and select the XML file that contains the Wi-Fi profile settings you want to import.
    • File contents: Shows the XML code for the XML file you selected.
  8. Select Next.

  9. In Scope tags (optional), assign a tag to filter the profile to specific IT groups, such as US-NC IT Team or JohnGlenn_ITDepartment. For more information about scope tags, go to Use RBAC and scope tags for distributed IT.

    Select Next.

  10. In Assignments, select the user or groups that will receive your profile. For more information on assigning profiles, go to Assign user and device profiles.

    Select Next.

  11. In Review + create, review your settings. When you select Create, your changes are saved, and the profile is assigned. The policy is also shown in the profiles list.

The profile is created, but may not be doing anything. Be sure to assign the profile, and monitor its status..

See the Wi-Fi settings overview, including other available platforms.