How to Disable Internet Connection (Windows)
This wikiHow teaches you how to disable any internet connection on your Windows PC. If you're using Windows 10 or 8, you can quickly disable all internet access by turning on airplane mode. For a longer-term solution, you can disable your...
Method 1 of 3:
Turning on Airplane Mode in Windows 10 and 8
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Picture 1 of How to Disable Internet Connection (Windows) Click your network connection. You should see it in the taskbar next to the clock, which is usually at the bottom of the screen. Use this method to temporarily prevent your PC from connecting to the internet.Picture 2 of How to Disable Internet Connection (Windows) - Depending on the type of connection, the icon will either be a globe (sometimes with a "caution" sign over it) or several curved lines (Windows 10) or a stack of signal bars (Windows 8).
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Picture 3 of How to Disable Internet Connection (Windows) Click the Airplane mode tile. If you're using Windows 10, it's the tile with an airplane icon. If you're using Windows 8 or 8.1, slide the "Airplane mode" switch to the On position instead. This will disconnect the PC from all wired and wireless networks immediately.- An airplane icon will appear to the left of the clock as long as airplane mode is enabled.
- To reconnect, return to the network connection and click Airplane mode again (Windows 10) or slide the "Airplane mode" switch to the Off position.
Method 2 of 3:
Disabling the Network Adapter (All Versions)
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Picture 4 of How to Disable Internet Connection (Windows) Open the Control Panel. Use this method if you want to turn off (either temporarily or permanently) your PC's ability to connect to a wired or wireless network. The steps to open Control Panel vary by Windows version:- Windows 10 or 8: Press ⊞ Win+S to open the search bar, type control panel, and then click Control Panel in the search results.
- Windows 7, Vista, and XP: Click the Start menu and select Control Panel.
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Picture 5 of How to Disable Internet Connection (Windows) Click Network and Sharing Center or View network status and tasks. The option you see varies by PC. -
Picture 6 of How to Disable Internet Connection (Windows) Click Change adapter settings. It's in the left panel. A list of your network adapters will appear. -
Picture 7 of How to Disable Internet Connection (Windows) Right-click the adapter you want to disable. A menu will expand. -
Picture 8 of How to Disable Internet Connection (Windows) Click Disable. This adapter is now inactive and will remain so until you re-enable it.- To re-enable the connection, right-click the connection and click Enable.
Method 3 of 3:
Disabling Wi-Fi in Windows 10
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Picture 9 of How to Disable Internet Connection (Windows) Click your internet connectionin the taskbar. You should see your internet connection next to the clock in the taskbar, which is usually at the bottom of the screen. Depending on the type of connection, the icon will either be a globe (sometimes with a "caution" sign over it) or several curved lines.Picture 10 of How to Disable Internet Connection (Windows) - If you don't see a network connection icon, click the up-arrow left of the clock to expand additional icons.
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Picture 11 of How to Disable Internet Connection (Windows) Click the Wi-Fiicon. It's at the bottom-left corner of the menu at the bottom of the screen. This disables all wireless connections.Picture 12 of How to Disable Internet Connection (Windows) - If you just want to disconnect from the network you're connected to now, click Disconnect on that network. Be aware that depending on your settings, your PC may try reconnecting to the network (or other open networks) immediately.
- To re-enable the adapter, click your network icon again in the taskbar, then click the Wi-Fi button again. Depending on your settings, you may need to reconnect to your wireless network manually by clicking its name.
Update 04 March 2020
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- Configure the VPN network connection in Windows XP
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- How to Set Up Your Internet
- Internet connection sharing - Internet Connection Sharing
- This is how to reset network settings on Windows 10 with just one click
- How to Make a Network Connection Private in Windows 10
- Turn Windows 8 laptop into Wifi hotspot
- How do Private Network and Public Network on Windows differ?
- Common network connection errors and solutions
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