how to set the priority order of network adapters on windows 10

How To Set The Priority Order Of Network Adapters On Windows 10

On Windows 10 devices that have more that one network interface card, or if you install an additional PCI-E network interface card on your Windows 10 computer, each interface is assigned a priority value automatically and this defines the primary connection that Windows10 uses to send and receive networking data .While Windows 10 does a good job when selecting the best network interface there are scenarios where it may be desirable to set the priority manaully. This tutorial aims to provide a guide on how to do this using the Windows 10 SETTINGS app and the POWERSHELL command line interface. We’ve also recorded a short youtube video that also shows you how to do what is explained on this tutorial.

REQUIREMENTS

In order to complete this tutorial successfully the following items are required. Please ensure to have these items available before taking implementation action on this tutorial:
1) 1 x Desktop or Laptop PC with Windows 10 installed.
2) 2 x Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapters installed.
3) Internet connection ( For Testing).

OVERVIEW

1) Power on your windows 10 device and sign in using a user account with administrator priviledges.
2) open the windows settings app and open the network and internet options.
3) Edit the INTERNET PROTOCOL V4 properties, and set the AUTOMATIC METRIC option.
4) Configure the priority order of network adapters using the Powershell command line interface.

Step 1: Setting The Priority Order Of Network Adapters Using Setting

1) Power up your computer, login and launch the start menu, or click on the Windows key on your keyboard.

2) From the Windows 10 settings app select or touch on the “NETWORK & INTERNET” option.

3) Under the “STATUS” page select “CHANGE ADAPTER OPTION” to view network available network adapters and change connection settings.

4) On the Network connections page you will see all available network adapter installed in your Windows 10 device. If you do not see all adapter ensure that device driver software has been installed for the missing adapter(s).
5) Right click on the adapter you would like to prioritize and click / touch on the “PROPERTIES” option.

6) On the popup window that appears select the “INTERNET PROTOCOL VERSION 4 (TCP/IPV4)” option and click / touch on the “PROPERTIES” button.

7) On the “INTERNET PROTOCOL VERSION 4 (TCP/IPV4)” properties page click / touch on the “ADVANCED” button under the “GENERAL” tab.

8) On this page untick the “AUTOMATIC METRIC” check box and enter a numerical value in the “INTERFACE METRIC” field. Note that the lower the metric number means higher priority and the higher number indicates a lower priority. Apply similar changes to any other adapters on your Windows 10 device with a higher or lower metric value.

9) Click the “OK” button on each respective window to apply changes and finally the “CLOSE” button.These changes ( Step 1 – 8 ) can be reverted ensure to check the Automatic metric option when reverting changes.

Step 2: Setting The Priority Order Of Network Adapters Using PowerShell

An alternative way of changing the priority of network adapters for connecting to your LAN and Internet is to use PowerShell, PowerShell a task-based command-line shell and scripting language built on the .NET platform.

10) Use the search feature on the Windows 10 taskbar to search for “WINDOWS POWERSHELL”. On the results that appear right click on the “WINDOWS POWERSHELL” application shortcut and click / touch on “RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR”.

11) On the Windows 10 Powershell Command Prompt type “Get-NetIPInterface” and press enter to view the current interface metric and interface index number.

12) Type “Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceIndex 21 -InterfaceMetric 10” to change the priority order of your desired network adapter and press Enter ensure to change the “INTERFACEINDEX” value to reflect the network adapter you’d like to prioritize and adjust the “INTERFACEMETRIC” value to assign a priority.

13) Enter “Get-NetIPInterface” in the command prompt to view the new metric applied to the network adapter. You can run the “Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceIndex 21 -AutomaticMetric enabled” command to revert back these changes.