How to Back Up and Restore Wireless Network Profiles Using Command Prompt on Windows

Reconnecting to a wi-fi network on a brand new pc will be made simpler with a wi-fi network profile. Each time you connect with a brand new wi-fi network, Windows creates a profile that accommodates particulars of the connection.

Happily, you may simply create a backup of this profile, able to be restored in your new pc or everytime you may want it. This is how to make use of the Command Immediate instrument and the netsh command to again up after which restore a wi-fi network profile on a Windows PC.

What Is a Wi-fi Network Profile?

Windows retains monitor of each setting you modify, all software program you add, and the configurations of your whole PC parts. That is why you, fortunately, needn’t arrange your pc from scratch every time you boot up.

The configuration of your wi-fi network adaptor is not any totally different. Windows retains a document of any new connection to a wi-fi network in a profile, which will be exported as an .XML file

Every network profile accommodates the network identify (SSID) and network key (password) of the wi-fi network you connect with, in addition to any safety particulars similar to the kind of encryption used. You may find out about wi-fi safety in our information to Wi-Fi encryption.

How to Again Up Your Network Profile Utilizing Command Immediate

There are a number of network utilities obtainable to obtain that can be utilized to avoid wasting and restore wi-fi network profiles. Lots of them are simply graphical representations of the built-in Windows netsh instrument.

So long as the instructions you want to use, you may entry netsh utilizing the Command Immediate instrument. No want to put in another software program.

1. Open Windows Search and kind cmd. Open Command Immediate from the search outcomes.
2. To see the obtainable wi-fi profiles, kind netsh wlan present profiles. If you happen to already know the identify of the profile you wish to save, you may skip this step.
3. To export all of the obtainable profiles, enter the next command: netsh wlan export profile key=clear folder=[folder path]. The place you see [folder path], enter the trail to the folder in your pc the place you need the profiles saved, with out the sq. brackets. For example, ours is C:Userspug19Desktop.
4. The profiles will then be saved to the said folder as separate .xml information. If you wish to solely save one profile, you may identify it within the command. For instance: netsh wlan export profile [profile name] key=clear folder=[folder path].

The inclusion of the key=clear argument within the command makes the password seen as plain textual content within the .XML information. That is clearly not very safe, however it’s helpful when you neglect the password. The password shall be encrypted when you go away this argument out.

Now you can copy the profiles onto a detachable drive to switch them onto your new pc when wanted. You may rename the information if you want to. Simply remember that you’ll want to make use of the precise file identify within the command to revive the profile.

The netsh command could be very helpful for diagnosing networking issues. You may see one other use for netsh in our information to fixing Windows 11 Wi-Fi issues.

How to Again Up a Profile for a Particular Network Interface

When you have a number of network interfaces, similar to Ethernet and Wi-Fi, they’ll have totally different profiles. You may specify which interface profile you wish to again up by including one other argument to the command.

1. To see the obtainable interfaces, kind: netsh wlan present interfaces.
2. When you have multiple interface, you may add the identify to the command above. For instance, you could possibly kind the next: netsh wlan export profile interface=wifi key=clear folder=[folder path].

How to Restore a Backed Up Profile

When you find yourself able to import the profile onto your new pc, copy the .xml information onto the brand new pc. It’s often simpler to avoid wasting them to the desktop than inside folders, as this ends in a shorter folder path.

1. Open Command Immediate and kind the next command: netsh wlan add profile consumer=present filename=[folder pathfilename.xml].
2. Change [folderpathfilename.xml] with the situation and identify of your .XML file.
3. You may omit the consumer=present argument if you need the wi-fi profile utilized to all customers.
4. Verify if the profile has been added by going to Settings > Network & Web > WiFi > Handle recognized networks.
5. You can even use the netsh wlan present profiles command used beforehand to see if the profile has been added.

If you happen to backed up a profile for a particular network interface when following the sooner steps, the small print shall be contained throughout the profile. You needn’t restore the profile utilizing any further arguments.

How to Again Up and Restore Network Profiles With NetSetMan

If typing all of these instructions into Command Immediate sounds too sophisticated, you need to use a easy piece of software program known as NetSetMan as an alternative. In addition to being helpful for transferring wi-fi profiles, this small app can be utilized to again up IP addresses and DNS server profiles.

After downloading the app, you may both set up it or run it as a conveyable app. If you happen to select to not set up the app, you will have to run it as an administrator.

1. Click on the Wi-Fi tab on the left facet after which click on the Profiles button. On the high you will note all Wi-Fi networks in vary, and beneath {that a} field containing your network profiles.
2. Choose the identify of the profile you wish to export and click on the Export button. You may select if passwords are saved encrypted or as plain textual content utilizing the dropdown menu on the facet of the button.
3. To import the profile on the second pc, run the software program and go to Wi-Fi > Profiles.
4. Choose Import and navigate to the .XML profile doc you exported within the earlier steps.

Backing Up Wi-fi Network Profiles, Made Simple

Realizing how to again up and restore wi-fi network profiles could make organising a brand new pc that bit sooner. It will also be helpful for retaining a backup of your network passwords, so long as you retain the exported information safely out of view.

The netsh instrument is highly effective and helpful, with instructions obtainable for rather more than simply backing up profiles. It’s actually value taking the time to discover if you’re making an attempt to raised perceive Windows networking.