How to Set Network Priority in Windows 10

To set network priority in Windows 10, open the adapter’s Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) properties, select Advanced, clear Automatic metric, and enter an Interface metric. Windows uses the connection with the lowest number first, so give the one you prefer a lower number.

Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Learn on September 27, 2026.

How Windows picks a connection

When you’re connected to more than one network, like Wi-Fi and Ethernet, Windows gives each one a number called a metric. It uses the one with the lowest number. By default, Windows sets the numbers by speed, so a wired connection usually wins. You can change them to pick a different order.

Set the priority in Network Connections

1. Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Right-click the connection you want to use first, such as Ethernet, and select Properties.
3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then Properties.
4. Select Advanced.
5. Clear Automatic metric and type a number in Interface metric. Use a low number, like 10, for the connection you want first.
6. Select OK on each window.

7. Do the same for your other connection, with a higher number like 20.

Set it with PowerShell

1. Right-click Start and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. To see the current numbers, run:

Get-NetIPInterface -AddressFamily IPv4

3. To set one, run this, using your connection’s name:

Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -InterfaceMetric 10

To go back to automatic, run Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -AutomaticMetric Enabled.

Choose which Wi-Fi network connects first

If you have more than one saved Wi-Fi network, you can set their order.

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Run netsh wlan show profiles to see your saved networks.
3. Run this, using the network’s name:

netsh wlan set profileorder name="Home" interface="Wi-Fi" priority=1

The network with priority 1 is tried first.

Frequently asked questions

Can I give one app more internet speed?

Windows 10 doesn’t have a built-in way to set internet speed per app. To give an app more of your processor, see how to set a program to high priority.

How do I turn Wi-Fi on or connect to a network?

See how to turn on Wi-Fi in Windows 10.

My connection stopped working after I changed it. How do I undo it?

Check Automatic metric again. If it still doesn’t work, see how to reset network settings in Windows 10 or how to fix Wi-Fi and network problems.

On Windows 11, see how to switch from Ethernet to Wi-Fi.

Microsoft’s references are An explanation of the Automatic Metric feature for IPv4 routes and Set-NetIPInterface. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.

Matt Jacobs

Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.

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