Hardwire or wireless?

[PapiMV]

I have just got a new desktop computer and successfully set it up wirelessly through my Actiontec GT784wnv.  My laptop is set up the same way.  So I have nothing hardwired at this point.  The desktop is close enough to the Actiontec to create a hardwire connection.  I have two questions.

1. Is it better to have the desktop hardwired or wireless?

2. If it is better to be hardwired, having already set it up wirelessly, can I now easily change it to be hardwired?  Will this cause any problem with the Actiontec router?

[smith6612]

You can easily change the desktop to a hardwired connection. All you have to do is forget the wireless network (basically, disconnect, or remove it as a preferred network) and then connect up an Ethernet cable to the desktop. That's it.

So far, it's best to use a Wired connection. You'll typically get better reliability out of a wired connection, and internal transfer speeds between other devices on your network will be faster.

[PapiMV]

I'm just getting used to Windows 8.  Is disabling the same as disconnecting or removing it as a preferred network?

[smith6612]

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@PapiMV wrote:

I'm just getting used to Windows 8.  Is disabling the same as disconnecting or removing it as a preferred network?

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Depends on what you're disabling. In the context I think "disabling" of, is in the sense of Airplane mode or turning off the Wireless card entirely from the device manager.

You can simply remove your wireless network as a preferred network, or simply press the Disconnect button in Windows 8's Wireless settings and that is all you will need to do.

[PapiMV · Accepted solution]

Much to my disappointment, it appears that the only way to remove a previous wireless network profile in Windows 8 is through the command window with the command:

netsh wlan delete profile name="profile name"

you can see the available profiles with

netsh wlan show profiles

I deleted the wireless profile as you suggested, plugged in the Ethernet cable and 'bingo' I was connected to the internet!  Thanks a lot!

[smith6612]

You're welcome.

Removing the Wireless profiles hold the same method in Windows 8.1 as they do in Windows 8. Pretty stupid move if you ask me.