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How to configure Wi-Fi Sense and Paid Wi-Fi Services on Windows 10 in an enterprise

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This article discusses the methods to configure Wi-Fi Sense and Paid Wi-Fi Services in Windows 10.

Applies to:   Windows 10 - all editions
Original KB number:   3085719

Summary

Wi-Fi Sense can automatically make Wi-Fi connections on your computer so that you can go online quickly in more locations. Wi-Fi Sense can connect you to open Wi-Fi hotspots that are collected through crowdsourcing, or to Wi-Fi networks that your contacts share with you through Wi-Fi Sense.

Paid Wi-Fi Services enable you to get online by buying Wi-Fi at the hotspot through Microsoft Store. Windows will temporarily connect to open hotspots to see if paid Wi-Fi services are available.

More information

To disable Wi-Fi Sense and Paid Wi-Fi Services on computers in the enterprise, use the following methods, as appropriate for your device management process:

Configuring through the Windows Provisioning framework

Configuring through legacy Unattended Windows setup (if the enterprises use unattended setup for provisioning)

IT administrators can also use Group Policy to disable Wi-Fi Sense and Paid Wi-Fi Services.

For Windows 10 Version 1511 or later versions of Windows

Configure the Group Policy Object Allow Windows to automatically connect to suggested open hotspots, to networks shared by contacts, and to hotspots offering paid services under Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Network\WLAN Service\WLAN Settings\.

For earlier versions of Windows than Windows 10 Version 1511

Configure the Group Policy to create and set the following DWORD registry value to 0 to disable Wi-Fi Sense:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WcmSvc\wifinetworkmanager\config\AutoConnectAllowedOEM

Note

If you use Group Policy to disable Wi-Fi Sense, this also disables the following related Wi-Fi Sense features:

  • Connect automatically to open hotspots
  • Connect automatically to networks shared by my contacts
  • Allow me to select networks to share my contacts

More information is available on TechNet: Registry Extension.