Windows: netshell wireless profile
Thankfully there are at least the following Netsh, or network shell, WLAN commands that allow you to access the Wi-Fi profiles:
Show the list of wireless profiles:
netsh wlan show profiles
Retrieve the stored key (WPA, WEP, etc) of a profile:
netsh wlan show profiles name=[profile name] key=clear
Delete a wireless profile:
netsh wlan delete profile name=[profile name]
Set a network’s priority:
netsh wlan set profileorder name=[profile name]interface=[interface_name] priority=1
Stop automatically connecting to a network:
netsh wlan set profileparameter name=[profile name] connectionmode=manual
Though you can’t actually make changes to the network profiles themselves, you can export a desired profile, make changes to the XML file, and then import the profile back onto the same machine or another one.
In Windows 8, Microsoft also removed the ability to save/export the network profiles from the GUI in the Wireless Network Properties box under the Connection tab. However, it’s still possible via Netsh commands:
Export a wireless network profile:
netsh wlan export profile name=[profile name]
Import a network profile:
netsh wlan add profile filename=[path_and_filename.xml] interface=[interface_name]
Creating an Ad Hoc Wireless Connection
Starting with Windows 8, Microsoft also removed the ability to create ad hoc or peer-to-peer wireless networks. You won’t find the "Set up a wireless ad hoc option" under "Set up a new connection or network" anymore in the GUI. However, you can utilize what Microsoft calls Wireless Hosted Networks via Netsh commands:
Configure the Wireless Hosted Network:
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=[your_virtual_network_name] key=[your_network_password]
Enable the Wireless Hosted Network:
netsh wlan start hostednetwork
Disable the Wireless Hosted Network:
netsh wlan stop hostednetwork
Retrieve the Wireless Hosted Network details:
netsh wlan show hostednetwork
Change the password:
netsh wlan refresh hostednetwork YourNewNetworkPassword
Before users on the ad hoc network can access the Internet via the Wireless Hosted Network, you must enable Internet Connection Sharing (ICS). Open the Network and Sharing Center, open the Network Connections, right-click the network adapter that’s connected to the Internet, and select Properties.
Then select the Sharing tab, check Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection, and then choose the Wireless Hosted Network Connection from the drop-down listbox, and click OK.