Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC), also known asWireless Auto Configuration, orWLAN AutoConfig, is awireless connection management utility included withMicrosoft Windows XP and later operating systems as aservice that dynamically selects awireless network to connect to based on a user's preferences and various default settings.[1][2] This can be used instead of, or in the absence of, a wireless network utility from the manufacturer of a computer's wireless networking device. The drivers for the wireless adapter query theNDIS Object IDs and pass the available network names (SSIDs) to the service. The service then lists them in the user interface on theWireless Networks tab in the connection'sProperties or in theWireless Network Connection dialog box accessible from the notification area. Achecked (debug)[3] build version of the WZC service can be used by developers to obtain additional diagnostic and tracing information logged by the service.
Wireless Zero Configuration was first introduced withWindows XP. InWindows Vista andWindows 7, the service that provides equivalent functionality is called "WLAN AutoConfig". It is based on theNative Wi-Fi architecture introduced in Windows Vista.
Initially, there was no Wireless LAN API in Windows XP for developers to create wireless client programs and manage profiles and connections. After the release of Windows Vista, Microsoft released KB918997,[4] which includes a Wireless LAN API for Windows XP SP2. It was later integrated into Windows XP Service Pack 3.
