Automatically Connect Your PC to the Right Network

Key Notes

  • Prioritize your preferred network connection to avoid unwanted switches.
  • Adjusting adapter properties can significantly enhance network stability.
  • PowerShell and Command Prompt offer advanced methods for tech-savvy users.

Mastering Network Priority: Streamline Your Connections in Windows

In a world where reliable internet connectivity is crucial, understanding how to change network priority in Windows can significantly enhance your experience. This guide will walk you through various methods to ensure that your preferred network connection is prioritized.

Before You Begin

Ensure you have access to the Wi-Fi network you wish to prioritize. Click the Wi-Fi icon on the taskbar, and check the network you want to prioritize. Ensure the ‘Connect automatically’ option is enabled for that network to automatically connect when in range.

1. Adjust Network Priority via Adapter IPv4 Properties

Step 1: Access Network Settings

Press Win + I to open the Settings app. Navigate to Network & Internet, then select Advanced network settings and click on More network adapter options.

Step 2: Modify Adapter Properties

In the network adapter window, identify the adapter you want to prioritize. Right-click on it and select Properties. Choose Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties again.

Step 3: Set Network Priority

In the TCP/IPv4 Properties window, click on Advanced. Uncheck Automatic metric, then enter a number lower than 10 (e.g., 1 ), and click OK to save your changes. Lower numbers denote higher priority.

Pro Tip: Verify priority settings if your connection doesn’t behave as expected; you can always re-enable Automatic metric to revert changes.

2. Adjust Network Priority via Adapter Configuration Settings (Wi-Fi Only)

Step 4: Configure Roaming Aggressiveness

Find your Wi-Fi adapter, right-click and select Properties. Click on Configure, go to the Advanced tab, and select Roaming Aggressiveness. Set it to Highest to enhance connection searchability.

Step 5: Seek Stronger Connections

Right-click the same Wi-Fi adapter and select Status, then click Wireless Properties. Ensure Look for other wireless networks while connected is checked and click OK to finalize.

3. Adjust Network Priority via PowerShell

Step 6: Open PowerShell as Administrator

Search for “PowerShell”, right-click, and select Run as administrator.

Step 7: Retrieve Interface Index

Execute Get-NetIPInterface to display all network adapters along with their Index numbers. Identify the one for your preferred network.

Step 8: Set the Desired Priority

Use the command: Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceIndex INTERFACE_INDEX -InterfaceMetric PRIORITY replacing INTERFACE_INDEX with your adapter’s index and PRIORITY with a number ≤ 10.

4. Adjust Network Priority via Command Prompt (Wi-Fi Only)

Step 9: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Search for “cmd”, right-click, and choose Run as administrator.

Step 10: List Your Wi-Fi Profiles

Type netsh wlan show profiles and hit Enter for a view of all saved Wi-Fi profiles along with their current priority.

Step 11: Reorder Network Profiles

Use the command: netsh wlan set profileorder name="NETWORKNAME" interface="INTERFACENAME" priority=NUMBER, replacing the placeholders accordingly to set your chosen network as preferred.

Additional Tips

  • Regularly review your network settings to ensure optimal performance.
  • Use dedicated troubleshooting tools if faced with persistent connectivity issues.
  • Consider hardware upgrades if connection issues continue to disrupt your user experience.

Summary

By following this guide, you can easily change network priority settings in Windows to better control your connectivity preferences, ensuring that you always connect to the most reliable network automatically.

Conclusion

Understanding how to prioritize your network connections can vastly improve your online experience. Explore these settings, and take control of your network’s performance!

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

How do I check which network priority is currently set?

You can use the command Get-NetIPInterface in PowerShell to see the current network priorities.

Can I revert changes made to network settings?

Yes, you can re-enable the Automatic metric option in IPv4 Properties or reset your priority settings using the same tools mentioned in the guide.