How do I allow auto connect to Wi-Fi Sense hotspots?

To allow Windows to automatically connect to what were previously known as Wi-Fi Sense hotspots, which include suggested open hotspots, networks shared by contacts, and hotspots offering paid services, you typically configure a specific setting within Group Policy. This method is especially relevant for managing multiple computers in an organizational setting or for advanced users.

Enabling Auto-Connect via Group Policy

For systems running Windows, the ability to automatically connect to these types of hotspots is managed through a Group Policy setting. This policy gives administrators granular control over how devices handle automatic Wi-Fi connections.

Here are the exact steps to configure this setting:

1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor: Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter. (Note: This tool is not available in Windows Home editions.)
2. Navigate to the relevant policy: In the Group Policy Editor, follow this path in the left-hand pane:
   • Computer Configuration
   • Administrative Templates
   • Network
   • WLAN Service
   • WLAN Settings
3. Locate and modify the policy: In the right-hand pane, double-click on the policy named 'Allow Windows to automatically connect to suggested open hotspots, to networks shared by contacts, and to hotspots offering paid services'.
4. Enable the policy:
   • Select the 'Enabled' option.
   • Click 'Apply' and then 'OK' to save your changes.
5. Update Group Policy (optional but recommended): Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type gpupdate /force and press Enter to ensure the policy changes are applied immediately.

Once this policy is enabled, Windows will be allowed to automatically connect to qualifying hotspots based on its internal logic and discovery.

Understanding the 'Wi-Fi Sense' Hotspot Functionality

While the original Wi-Fi Sense feature, which allowed users to share Wi-Fi credentials with Outlook, Skype, and Facebook contacts, was largely phased out by Microsoft, the underlying functionality to automatically connect to specific types of public or suggested hotspots persists. The Group Policy mentioned above specifically controls these capabilities:

• Suggested Open Hotspots: These are usually public Wi-Fi networks that Windows identifies as generally safe and accessible.
• Networks Shared by Contacts: This part of the policy addresses the legacy or remaining functionality for networks shared within certain ecosystems, although direct sharing features have been significantly altered.
• Hotspots Offering Paid Services: Windows can detect hotspots that require payment for access and, with this setting enabled, facilitate the connection process.

This policy ensures that your device can leverage these automatic connection features without manual intervention, streamlining the process of getting online in public or shared environments.

Key Considerations

When enabling automatic connection to suggested hotspots, it's important to be aware of the following:

• Security Risks: Open Wi-Fi networks, by their nature, can be less secure. Without encryption, your data could be vulnerable to interception. Always use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when connecting to untrusted public Wi-Fi.
• Data Usage: Automatic connections might lead to unintended data usage, especially if you have a limited data plan on a mobile hotspot and your device connects automatically in the background.
• Privacy Concerns: Some public Wi-Fi providers may collect data on user activity. Be mindful of the terms and conditions if you frequently connect to such networks.
• Administrator Control: In corporate or educational environments, this setting is often managed by IT administrators to maintain network security and compliance. Individual users may not have the permissions to change it.

For more information on managing network connections in Windows, you can refer to official Microsoft support resources, such as Windows Wi-Fi Settings or Group Policy documentation.