Application Settings (Tools menu)

Adapter

Presented at the top of the window, this lists the WiFi adapter. It may be any one of the following:

• Intel® Centrino® Ultimate-N 6300
• Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250
• Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200
• Intel® WiFi Link 5300
• Intel® WiMAX/WiFi Link 5150
• Intel® WiFi Link 5100
• Intel® WiFi Link 1000

Advanced Settings: The following settings control how the WiFi connection utility behaves and displays information.

Taskbar

Show icon on the taskbar: Select to display the Taskbar status icon. This icon resides on the Windows Taskbar (Notification Area). This icon provides the status of your wireless connection. Clear to not display the Taskbar status icon.

The Taskbar Status Icon provides several functions:

• Visual feedback for the connection state and wireless activity of your wireless network. The icon changes color and animation for different wireless activity. See Taskbar Icons for more information.
• Menu: A menu is displayed when you right-click the icon. From this menu you perform tasks such as turn the radio on or off or launch the WiFi connection utility. See: Taskbar Menu Options for more information.
• Tool tips and desktop alerts. See: Tool Tips and Desktop Alerts for more information.

Notifications

Show Alert Notifications: Select to display desktop alerts next to the taskbar icon. When your action is required, a message displays. Only events of high importance trigger a desktop alert. If the desktop alert is selected, then the appropriate action is taken. Clear to not display desktop alerts. See Tool Tips and Desktop Alerts for more information.

Select one of the following options:

Information Notifications: These desktop alerts are of lower importance. They do not require your interaction but can greatly improve the wireless experience.

• Show Information Notifications: Selected by default. All informational desktop alerts are displayed next to the taskbar status icon. These desktop alerts improve your wireless experience with notifications when available wireless networks are within range. They also inform you when a wireless connection has been made or has been lost. See Tool Tips and Desktop Alerts for more information.
• Show a list of available networks when not connected: When Show Information Notifications is cleared, you can select this item. When the desktop alerts are disabled, this option lets you continue to be notified of available networks when the WiFi adapter is not connected.

Notify when another application uses the WiFi adapter: When selected, a message is displayed when other applications are trying to manage your WiFi adapter. This is helpful if you use software provided by a hotspot location (coffee shop, airport terminal). To take advantage of the WiFi connection utility features, disable this software when you leave the hotspot.

Auto Connect

Connect to available network using profiles only: (Default) Connect the WiFi adapter to an available network with a matching profile from the Profiles List. If no matching profile is found, you are notified (see Notifications). The wireless device remains disconnected until a matching profile is found or you configure a new matching profile.

Connect to any available network if no matching profile found: Select to connect to a network automatically if you have not configured a profile and are at a location that has an open, unsecured wireless network. NOTE: Open networks have no security. You would need to provide your own security for this wireless connection. One way to secure an open wireless connection is with Virtual Private Networking (VPN) software.

Connect to any network based on profiles only (Cisco mode): Select to try every profile in preferred order. This signifies that you are in the vicinity of an access point which has more than one SSID but only advertises one.

Do not automatically connect. User will manually connect: Select to turn off automatic connection.

Manage Exclusions

Enable automatic exclude list feature: Select to enable the automatic exclude list feature. This feature provides a way to exclude access points from automatic connection. See Manage Exclusions for more information.

Enable manual exclude list feature: Select to enable the manual exclude list feature. This feature provides a way to exclude networks from automatic connection. See Manage Exclusions for more information.

WiFi Networks List

Show column sort headers: Select to display the column names in the WiFi Networks list. Click a column header to sort the column in either ascending or descending order.

Network Name (SSID) Notification

Notifies you when the default network name (SSID) is used to connect to a network. Common examples of pre-defined, default network names are: wireless, WLAN, linksys, default.

Connecting to an access point that has the default network name (SSID) can be a security problem. This access point usually uses all the default security and, management settings (for example, Open authentication; default IP address, user name, or password). If this is a personal network, change the network name and security settings to improve the security of the network.

Notify when connected to a network with the default SSID name
Select to receive an alert when connected to a network with the default network name.

WiFi Settings

Disable WiFi scanning when associated: This setting disables scanning for additional WiFi access points after the adapter connects to an access point (network). Disabling scanning when already connected can improve the connection performance.

OK

Saves settings and return to the previous page.

Cancel

Closes and cancels changes.

Help?

Provides help information for this page.