There was an option in Control Panel in previous versions of Windows to export and import wireless network profiles. However, the feature was then removed on Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 in favor of the new feature to sync these settings using a Microsoft account. But it is still possible to export and import the Wi-Fi settings using the netsh command-line tool.

To export the wireless settings, use these steps:

• Open Start.
• Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
• Type the following command to export the wireless profiles stored on the device and press Enter:

netsh wlan export profile key=clear folder="FOLDER-PATH"

In the command, replace FOLDER-PATH with the path to the export destination folder.

For example, this command export the profiles to the “wireless-backup” folder:

netsh wlan export profile key=clear folder="C:\Users\username\Documents\wireless-backup"

• (Optional) Type the following command to export a specific profile and press Enter:

netsh wlan export profile name="WLAN-PROFILE-NAME" key=clear folder="FOLDER-PATH"

In the command, replace the WLAN-PROFILE-NAME with the profile name you want to export and the FOLDER-PATH with the folder location to export the information.

For example, this command exports the only tsunami profile to the “wireless-backup” folder:

netsh wlan export profile name="tsunami" key=clear folder="C:\Users\username\Documents\wireless-backup"

Once you complete the steps, all the profiles will be exported to the location you specified. The output will also show the name and path for each XML file backup.

The export command will create an XML file for each wireless network profile stored on the device. Also, we are using the key=clear option, which will request to store the network security key for each network in the XML file. As a result, make sure to keep these records in a secure place, as they can easily be viewed or edited using any text editor.

To import the wireless settings on Windows 10 with command lines, use these steps:

• Open Start.
• Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
• Type the following command to import the wireless profiles and press Enter:

netsh wlan add profile filename="FOLDER-PATH\WLAN-EXPORTED-FILE"

In the command, replace FOLDER-PATH\WLAN-EXPORTED-FILE with the path and file name for the exported file.

For example, this command imports a specific profile stored in the “wireless-backup” folder:

netsh wlan add profile filename="C:\Users\username\Documents\wireless-backup\Wi-Fi-tsunami.xml"

Quick tip: If you have multiple profiles, then repeat the steps and make sure to update the file path and filename of the exported profile.

• (Optional) Type the following command to import a profile to a particular wireless interface and current user and press Enter:

netsh wlan add profile filename="FOLDER-PATH\WLAN-EXPORTED-FILE" Interface="WLAN-INTERFACE-NAME" user=current

In the command, make sure to change FOLDER-PATH\WLAN-EXPORTED-FILE for the exported file's path and name containing the profile information and WLAN-INTERFACE-NAME with the name of the interface you want to import the settings.

For example, this command imports the settings to the Wi-Fi interface:

netsh wlan add profile filename="C:\Users\username\Documents\wireless-backup\Wi-Fi-tsunami.xml" Interface="Wi-Fi" user=current

After you complete the steps, the profile will be imported, allowing the device to connect to the wireless network without additional configuration.