Share via

Wired and Wireless connections on the same Windows 7 machine.

Anonymous
2009-11-05T18:50:56+00:00

When my desktop is connected to both networks, Windows 7 seems to default the wireless network as it's primary link.  How do I force Windows 7 (Home Premium) to use the wired network as a primary and the wireless as a secondary?

I have an HP Pavilion Elite running Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit.  8 gig of RAM, AMD Phenom II X4 910 processer, Nvidia 9800GT video card.  StarTech PCI Express 10/100/1000 network card (Realtek PCIe chipset & driver) and a Atheros 802.11a/b/g/n Dualband wireless card.  Both cards functional and stable.  No system issues.

My home network consists of two separate VLANs - a wired network using 172.18.1.0/27 and the wireless network using 172.18.2.0/27. Both networks are connect to a single router with dual ISP connections (Cable and DSL).  When the desktop is connected to both the wireless and wired VLANs traffic defaults to the wireless VLAN.  I need the desktop connected to both VLANs - but would like to use the wired network as a primary.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
  1. Anonymous
    2009-11-06T03:37:31+00:00

    When more than one network connection is available, Windows uses the one with the lowest metric value.  By default, it automatically assigns a metric value based on the network connection's rated speed.  SeeAn explanation of the Automatic Metric feature for Internet Protocol routes .

    To force Windows to use a specific network connection, assign a metric value to each one, giving the lowest value to the desired connection:

    1. Open the Network Connections folder (Start > Run > ncpa.cpl)
    2. Right click the desired connection.
    3. Click Properties > Internet Protocol Version 4.
    4. Click Properties > Advanced.
    5. Un-check "Automatic metric".
    6. Enter a number between 1 and 9999 for the "Interface metric".
    58 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
  1. Anonymous
    2011-04-21T21:22:51+00:00

    Have you tried changing the adapters and bindings order in the advanced panel of network connections?

    In the start menu, search for 'network connections' and press enter.

    In the window the comes up, use Alt-key for menu. Choose Advanced. (alt-n-s) On the Adapters and Bindings tab, re-order the connections, putting your wired connection at the top.

    4 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

23 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. @CmdrKeene 90,556 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2010-05-27T03:47:01+00:00

    Hi Steve, do you know if there is a way to ask windows to re-assess the rated speed?  I have two connections:

    • 1 Gbps Wired LAN

    • 54 Mbps 802.11g

    But Windows 7 still prefers the wireless one when both are connected.  I can assign the metric, but I'd love for Windows to handle this on its own.

    If this was helpful, please vote by clicking the green triangle. If it solves the issue, click Propose as Answer. Thanks!

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2010-05-27T05:16:49+00:00

    Try manually configuring the speed in the network adapter's properties in Device Manager.  For example, my gigabit Ethernet adapter has aSpeed & Duplex property that I can set to 1.0 Gbps Full Duplex .

    Boulder Computer Maven

    Microsoft Most Valuable Professional

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2010-07-12T08:44:49+00:00

    I have an identical query as asked by Shawn B. Keene.

     I have two connections to my laptop:

    • 1 Gbps Wired LAN (Broadcom NetXtreme 57xx Gigabit Controller)

    • 54 Mbps 802.11g  (Dell Wireless 1397 WLAN Mini-Card)

    I have tried couple of things to set metric

    1. I have assigned the metric 10 for wired NIC adaptor and 20 for wireless however, Windows 7 still prefers the wireless one when both are connected.
    2. I have assigned the metric 10 for wired NIC adaptor and kept automatic metric for wireless, Windows 7 still prefers the wireless one when both are connected.

    Is there a way to set wired connection as preffered one when both wired and wireless connections are available?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments