How to Change Wi-Fi Security Type on Windows 10

Changing your encryption protocol is a fundamental step you should take to protect your data. Modern standards allow block Unauthorized access attempts at the hardware and operating system driver level. Many users ignore this aspect, relying on complex passwords, but it is security type determines the algorithm for the keys to operate.

In the operating system Windows 10 These settings are managed through the adapter's advanced properties. You'll need access to the Network Control Panel to make adjustments. The process doesn't require installing any third-party software, but it does require careful attention.

If the settings are changed incorrectly, the device may lose its ability to connect to the router. Therefore, before beginning any work, make sure you have physical access to the router in case a reset is necessary. Changing the security type at the Wi-Fi adapter driver level is only effective if the router is configured to work with the selected encryption standard.

We'll take a detailed look at how to find the necessary menus and which parameters perform what functions. This will help you avoid common mistakes and configure your network as securely as possible.

Analysis of the current state of the network

Before making changes, it's important to understand which protocol is currently in use. This will allow you to assess the vulnerability of your infrastructure. Older standards like WEP or WPA-TKIP are considered critically vulnerable and should not be used on the modern Internet.

The check is performed through the active connection properties. The system displays the current status in real time, which is convenient for diagnostics. You will be able to see whether your adapter is working in WPA2-Personal or newer WPA3.

⚠️ Warning: If the security type is set to "No Security" or "Open," your network is completely open to outsiders. Anyone within range can intercept your traffic.

To view information, follow these steps:

• 🔍 Right-click on the network icon in the tray.
• 🔍 Select "Open Network & Internet Settings".
• 🔍 Go to "Network and Sharing Center".
• 🔍 Click on the name of your wireless connection.

In the window that opens, you will see the line "Security Type." This is where the active protocol is displayed. If it says WPA2-Personal, this is a good level of protection. If you see WEP, you need to urgently change your router settings.

Accessing advanced adapter settings

To change encryption settings, you need to access the network driver configuration. The standard Windows 10 settings menu often hides these options, redirecting the user to the classic Control Panel. This is done for compatibility with older utilities.

You'll need to open the wireless adapter's properties dialog box. This contains tabs for managing the driver, IP addressing, and security settings. Be careful: changing inappropriate values ​​may result in network instability.

The sequence of actions to enter the menu:

1. Open the Run window with a key combination Win + R.
2. Enter the command ncpa.cpl and press Enter.
3. Locate your wireless adapter (usually called "Wireless Network" or "Wi-Fi").
4. Right-click on it and select "Properties".

In the list of components, find the line Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) — There's no need to touch it yet. We're interested in the "Configure" button, located in the upper right corner, next to the adapter's name. Clicking it will take you to the device management menu.

It's here, in the "Advanced" tab, that operating mode settings are often hidden. However, the primary security type is not set here, but in the wireless connection properties themselves, which we'll get to next.

Configuring security settings manually

Return to the wireless adapter properties window we opened earlier. Find the "Security" tab. This section contains the key switches that determine the data encryption algorithm.

Here you'll see the "Security Type" drop-down list. If it's grayed out and inactive, it means the settings are taken automatically from the router and can't be changed on the PC—you'll need to change the settings on the router. If the field is available, you can select the desired option.

Select WPA2-Personal or WPA3-Personal from the list. For WPA2, the encryption type must be set to AES. Usage TKIP Not recommended as this algorithm has known vulnerabilities and reduces connection speed.

⚠️ Note: The settings interface may differ depending on the Wi-Fi adapter manufacturer (Intel, Realtek, Broadcom). Some drivers do not allow manual security type changes, requiring configuration only on the router.

After selecting the security type, click "Advanced options." Some driver versions may allow you to enable the "Specify a security key for this network" option. This allows you to save the password in the system so you don't have to enter it every time you connect.

Selecting a data encryption algorithm

An encryption algorithm is a mathematical method that scrambles your data before sending it over the air. The choice of encryption algorithm affects not only security but also speed of work wireless network. An incorrect choice can limit the speed to 54 Mbps.

In modern systems the de facto standard is AES (Advanced Encryption Standard). This algorithm is used in the WPA2 and WPA3 protocols. It provides high speed and reliable security, resistant to most known attacks.

An alternative option is - TKIPThis protocol was a temporary solution for the transition from WEP to WPA. It's compatible with very old equipment, but it significantly reduces speed and is considered insecure. If your adapter offers a choice between AES and TKIP, always choose the former.

To change a parameter:

• 🔐 In the security properties window, find the "Data encryption type" field.
• 🔐 Select a value AES from the drop-down list.
• 🔐 Click "OK" to save the changes.

If you select WPA3, the encryption type is usually set automatically, as this standard requires modern algorithms. In this case, manual configuration may not be available.

Why is TKIP slower than AES?

TKIP uses software encryption and adds additional headers to data packets for compatibility with older hardware. This creates processor overhead and reduces bandwidth, especially at high internet speeds.

Managing saved network profiles

Windows 10 stores connection history in special profiles. If you change the password or security type on your router and your computer tries to connect with the old information, an error will occur. In this case, you'll need to delete or update the profile.

Profile management is conveniently done via the command line. This provides more complete control than the graphical interface. You can view a list of all saved networks and forcefully delete those that are no longer relevant.

Open Command Prompt as administrator. Enter the following command to view profiles:

netsh wlan show profiles

The system will display a list of all saved networks. Find your network name in the list. To delete the profile and force Windows to prompt you for settings again, use the command:

netsh wlan delete profile name="Your_Network_Name"

After deleting the profile, try connecting to the network again. The system will prompt you for a password and automatically detect the current security type offered by the router. This is the most reliable way to sync your settings.

Diagnosing connection problems

After changing settings, connection issues may arise. These are most often due to mismatched settings on the client (PC) and the access point (router). If the protocols don't match, the handshake will fail.

Typical symptoms of problems:

• 📶 Constantly receiving the "Obtaining IP address" status.
• 📶 "Incorrect password" error even though the password is entered correctly.
• 📶 The network is visible, but the connection is immediately broken.

First, check whether your Wi-Fi adapter supports the selected standard. Older cards may not support WPA3. In this case, you'll need to revert to WPA2. Also, make sure your adapter drivers are updated to the latest version from the manufacturer's website.

⚠️ Note: If you lose internet access on all devices after changing settings, you may have changed settings on the router, not just on your PC. Reset the router to factory defaults using the Reset button if you don't have access to the admin panel.

You can use the built-in tool to reset network settings in Windows 10. Go to "Settings" → "Network & Internet" → "Status." At the bottom of the page, find the "Network Reset" link. This will delete all saved profiles and reinstall your network adapters.

If the problem persists, check the Windows event log. WLAN AutoConfig driver errors can help you understand the reason for the connection failure. Look for error codes related to authentication or association.

Why doesn't Windows see the network after changing the security type?

This happens if the router switches to WPA3-only mode, but your adapter doesn't support it, or vice versa. The network may also become hidden. Try connecting manually, specifying the exact network name (SSID) and selecting the correct security type in the connection wizard.

Is it possible to change the security type without accessing the router?

No, the security type is a setting determined by the access point. On a computer, you can only adjust your settings with the router or forcefully disable certain protocols in the driver, but you can't create a new encryption type.

Does security type affect internet speed?

Yes, it does. Using outdated TKIP encryption limits the speed of 802.11n and higher standards to 54 Mbps. Modern AES algorithms allow you to reach the full speed of your plan.