Any alternatives to the Windows 8.1 wifi dialog?

When I used Windows XP in the past, I found the default Windows wifi manager to be wanting. I used the Atheros application, and after I upgraded to a laptop with an Intel wifi card, the Intel application. Each of them replaced the stock dialog; clicking the stock tray icon brought up the Atheros or Intel dialog rather than the XP one.

Does this kind of thing exist for 8.1? the stock 8.1 dialog is far worse than the Windows XP one that I didn't think was adequate. It's in the hideous Metro style, which has mostly been banished from the PC (I would happily change that to "completely" if I knew how), and it's far too simplistic. Like so many things, it's a big step back from what Windows 7 offers, but 7's support won't last forever, so I am preparing a move to 8.1 for 2020 in case I am not ready to move to Linux fulltime by then.

Is there anything like this that will replace the stock dialog, or am I dreaming?

I am also interested in a good alternative. In the meanwhile, I suggest consider using NetSetMan utility

Windows IP Freeware NetSetMan: Network Settings Manager (LAN & WiFi)



although it is resident and takes memory (installs a service).

Another alternative is Wefi

Download WeFi 4.0.1.0 (Free) for Windows

Alternative link: WeFi 4.0 Download (Free) - WeFi.exe

It also installs a service.



Although from my point of view this thing is suspicious regarding its activity and installation (and I was unable to uninstall it other than using a Windows restore point).