Import and Export Wireless Profiles

Applies To: Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista

In addition to creating a backup of configured profiles, the export and import features are used to support independent hardware vendor (IHV) extensibility. An administrator can include IHV-specific connectivity or security settings in an XML profile, and then import this profile to wireless Group Policy. Because these settings do not display on-screen in Windows Vista, importing them is the only way that a profile can include these settings in wireless Group Policy.

Membership in Domain Admins, or equivalent, is the minimum requirement to complete this procedure.

Importing wireless profiles

You can use the import feature to restore profiles that were deleted. You can also use the import feature to restore a profile that was changed after a backup copy was exported.

To import a wireless profile

  1. In Windows Vista Wireless Network (IEEE 802.11) Policies Properties, on the General tab, in Connect to available networks in the order of profiles listed below, click Import.

  2. In Import a profile, locate the profile that you want to import, and then click Open.

Note

By default, the Open to import a profile dialog box opens the most recent directory that was accessed using the import and export features.

  1. Select the profile, and then click Open.

Exporting wireless profiles

Follow these steps to export a wireless profile to an XML file.

To export a wireless profile

  1. In Windows Vista Wireless Network (IEEE 802.11) Policies Properties, on the General tab, in Connect to available networks in the order of profiles listed below, select the profile that you want to export, and then click Export.

  2. In the Save exported profile as dialog box, verify that Save as type is (*.xml), and then click Save.

Note

By default, the profile is saved as an XML file in the Documents folder of the current user. The profile name is automatically provided in its file name. If you specify a different name for the exported file, such as Backup.xml, when it is imported, the profile will appear in Connect to available networks, with the original profile name and the original service set identifier (SSID).