Using the windows Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) utility.

Question

Why does my windows machine loose connectivity across a wireless network?

Symptoms

You experience random disconnections from your wireless network.

My windows machine is always disconnecting from the wireless network after some time. I then have to restart my PC in order to get a new connection. I've read somewhere that windows looks up every few minutes for available access points and tries to connect to the strongest one but I don't know how to disable this behaviour.

Cause

Windows XP comes with a utility called Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) that runs as a service, the intention is to make connecting to an access point much easier by continuously searching for access points in range. This behaviour may cause random disconnections from your wireless network.

Resolution

To correct this you will have to disable the WZC service and use another wireless management program, such as the one that comes with your wireless network adapter. Refer to the software help files or user manual for information on how to install and configure it.

Note:
By default, the WZC service is started automatically every time you load Windows.

Instructions

To prevent the WZC service from starting, open the services console from administrative tools in control panel (or type services.msc in the Run box and press OK) and double click the "Wireless Zero Configuration" service to display the properties dialog

Steps to disable the service:

1. Select Disabled as the Startup type
2. Press the Stop button and click OK.
3. Once you have stopped and disabled the service, it will (hopefully) never bother you again.

Windows will no longer search for available access points using the WZC service, so frequent disconnections should not be one of your worries anymore.

Testing

Ensure the service is disabled