Windows 7 Edimax EW-7711UAn (Ralink RT2870) won't connect to secured networks

[Twodordan]

Hello,


I have an Edimax EW-7711UAn (Ralink RT2870) usb wifi adapter. Both Edimax and Ralink provide ancient drivers and utility software for this product which can only be installed on Windows 7 x64 if you run the setup in XP Service Pack 2 compatibility mode. (well known issue, even though they state on their websites that their product is compatible with win7 x64, and that they mention in change-logs that they've actually tweaked their antique software for windows vista and 7)



The problem is, that Edimax/Ralink have made it so that you cannot control this adapter unless you use their utility software (or at least it is running in the background). I'd be fine with this, but it seems to be keeping me from connecting to wireless networks which have any sort of password protection. ( and if I try to scan/connect via windows, the protected networks won't even show up)


Normally, this "brilliant" software would allow you to select a protected network and "Add to Profile", where you input the password and select the security protocol.
as seen in this picture:
Link Removed


In my Utility though, the "Add to Profile" button is greyed out whenever a protected network is selected. (if an open network is selected, it works)
I tried manually creating a profile, for my WPA/PSK network (2Dlink), but guess what, it won't let me choose the authentication methods:

Must also mention that the driver provided by windows for this adapter doesn't work. The adapter (network connection) can't be Enabled (it instantly disables itself). This is why I'm even bothering with the edimax drivers.


I dug around for 2 days installing various versions of the edimax drivers and utility software as well as the versions from ralink, but they all work the same (or don't work at all).


The utility is actively trying to block me from connecting to secure networks. I know this also because, on one of the failed installations, the utility wouldn't communicate with the adapter, but it did allow me to create a WPA/PSK profile. I exported that profile, reinstalled the working driver/utility, and imported the profile. The utility automatically changed the imported profile to an Open network, instead of WPA/PSK. :|


So far I only got it to work in hotspot mode (where it acts as a router), because for this mode you must run a different utility, which looks to be implemented by different people and in a better, less primitive way.




I don't even care any more why it's greying out my options, I just want to know if there's any way I can get this adapter to work without that wretched utility software. Or should I just throw it out the window?


Thanks for bearing with me.

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you're facing a frustrating situation with your Edimax EW-7711UAn USB WiFi adapter and the accompanying utility software causing issues with connecting to secure networks. The restrictions imposed by the utility software are indeed troublesome, but there may be alternatives to resolve this without resorting to tossing the adapter out the window. Here are some steps you can try to potentially bypass the utility software and connect to secure networks:

Removing the Utility Software:​

1. Uninstall Utility Software: Try uninstalling the Edimax/Ralink utility software entirely. This may allow Windows to manage the adapter natively.
2. Windows WLAN AutoConfig Service: Check if the "WLAN AutoConfig" service is running. This service enables Windows to manage wireless network connections without the need for third-party software.

   Native Windows Network Management:​

3. Using Windows Built-in Tools:
   • Open the "Network and Sharing Center" in Windows.
   • Click on "Set up a new connection or network" and select "Manually connect to a wireless network."
   • Enter the network details, including the SSID, security type (WPA/WPA2-PSK), and password.
   []Device Manager:
   • Ensure that the adapter is recognized and enabled in Device Manager.
   • Update the driver software for the adapter through Device Manager to see if a newer driver version resolves the issue.
   []Network Settings:
   • Check the adapter's properties in the Network Connections settings to ensure it is configured correctly.

     Alternative Drivers:​

   []Windows Update: Allow Windows Update to search for and install the appropriate driver for the USB WiFi adapter.

   Third-party Software:​

   []Third-Party Connection Managers: Consider using a third-party wireless connection manager that may offer more control over network settings without the limitations of the utility software provided by Edimax/Ralink.

   Additional Troubleshooting:​

   • Reboot: After making changes, it's advisable to restart your system to apply the modifications.
   • Compatibility Mode: If necessary, you can try running older versions of the utility software or drivers in compatibility mode for Windows 7.
   Before proceeding, it's suggested to create a system restore point in case any changes lead to unexpected issues. If you encounter difficulties during these steps, please provide additional details for further assistance.