Windows 11 can't use multiple networks.

Question

I am connected to a WiFi with Internet and a local hardwire network at the same time.

If I try and access the internet it fails until I unplug the local hardwire.

If I try and access the local hardwire it fails until I disconnect from the Wifi.

Why can't Windows 11 seamlessly use multiple networks like Windows 10 did?

Answer 1

Some light reading here.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/mobilebroadband/understanding-and-configuring-windows-connection-manager#windows-10-version-1809-build-17763404-and-later
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/technologies/network-subsystem/net-sub-interface-metric
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-multiple-adapters-on-the-same-network-are-expected-to-behave-e21cb201-2ae1-462a-1f47-1f2307a4d47a
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/networking/connectivity-issues-multiple-default-gateways

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Answer 2

Hello Dear,
Thank you for your question and reaching out.
As per your Query,
Let me explain you.
It depends Upon the Priority If you are connected with the Ethernet, Windows always prefer to connect to Ethernet first when available..
But it is seen that if you’re connected to wireless/WiFi connection and then you connect to wired/Ethernet connection, wireless/WiFi connection is automatically disconnected.
But In This fMinimizeConnections is the Group Policy setting that you can configure to enable multiple connections at same time
So if you want to use both networks at a time you need to perform this simple registry Trick.
NOTE: Before performing this Please backup your registry.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-back-up-and-restore-the-registry-in-windows-855140ad-e318-2a13-2829-d428a2ab0692#:~:text=In%20Registry%20Editor%2C%20locate%20and,Click%20Save.

Press Win key + R and type regedit in Run dialog box to open Registry Edit.
In left pane of Registry Editor window, navigate to following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WcmSvc\Local
Now in the right pane of Local registry key, right click and select New > DWORD Value. Name this registry DWORD (REG_DWORD) as fMinimizeConnections and let its Value data set to 0.

4. Close Registry Editor and reboot to make changes effective. After restarting your system, you’ll see that both wireless and wired network connections are active at a time .

And see if it helps,

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Answer 3

Hello,

See if suggestions here helps you:

https://www.kapilarya.com/how-to-use-wifi-and-ethernet-at-same-time-in-windows-10

Let us know if this works!

Note: Included link in this reply refers to blog post by a trusted Microsoft MVP.