How to Switch Between Ethernet and Wi-Fi in Windows 11 Without Disabling the Adapter
By design, Windows prioritizes wired Ethernet connections over Wi-Fi whenever both are available. That’s because Ethernet usually offers faster and more stable speeds. However, if you want to manually switch to Wi-Fi without unplugging or disabling Ethernet, you can change Windows’ network priority settings.
Option 1: Change Network Adapter Priority (Recommended)
You can tell Windows which connection type should take priority.
- Press Win + R, type
control, and hit Enter. - Go to Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center.
- On the left side, click Change adapter settings.
- Press Alt to show the menu bar.
- Click Advanced → Advanced Settings…
- Under Connections, use the arrows on the right to move your Wi-Fi adapter above the Ethernet adapter.
- Click OK to save.
Now Windows will automatically prefer your Wi-Fi network over Ethernet whenever both are connected.
Option 2: Adjust Interface Metric Manually (Power Users)
Each network adapter in Windows has a metric value—a priority number. Lower numbers have higher priority. You can manually edit these to favor Wi-Fi.
- Press Win + X → Network Connections.
- Click Advanced network settings → More network adapter options.
- Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter → Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → Properties → Advanced.
- Uncheck Automatic metric, then enter:
- Wi-Fi:
1 - Ethernet:
10
- Wi-Fi:
- Click OK on all windows.
Wi-Fi will now take precedence even when Ethernet is plugged in.
Option 3: Use Command Line (Quick Switch)
You can use PowerShell to toggle priority temporarily.
To prioritize Wi-Fi:
Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -InterfaceMetric 1
Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -InterfaceMetric 10
To revert (prioritize Ethernet):
Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -InterfaceMetric 1
Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -InterfaceMetric 10
Replace "Wi-Fi" and "Ethernet" with your actual adapter names (check using Get-NetIPInterface).
Option 4: Automate Switching Using Intune or Group Policy (For Managed PCs)
If you manage devices through Microsoft Intune or Group Policy, you can deploy policies that:
- Disable Wi-Fi when Ethernet is connected, or
- Allow Wi-Fi to stay active and switch dynamically based on signal quality.
In Intune:
- Go to Devices → Configuration profiles → Create policy (Windows 10 and later).
- Use Settings Catalog → Network → Wireless Network (IEEE 802.11) Policies.
- Configure “Allow Wi-Fi when LAN is connected” as Enabled.
This gives users flexibility without manual adapter toggling.
Option 5: Quick Workaround (Windows Settings Shortcut)
If you prefer not to edit priorities:
- Click the network icon in the taskbar.
- Select your Wi-Fi network and toggle Airplane mode on and off once.
- This forces Windows to reconnect using the last preferred wireless connection.
Summary
| Method | What It Does | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Change Adapter Priority | Reorders permanent preference | Everyday users |
| Interface Metric | Fine-tuned control | Power users |
| PowerShell Commands | Fast switching | IT admins |
| Intune/GPO Policy | Central management | Enterprise environments |
| Airplane Mode Trick | Quick manual switch | Home users |
Bottom line:
You don’t need to disable your Ethernet adapter every time. Adjust the adapter priority or interface metric once, and Windows will automatically switch to Wi-Fi when you choose a wireless network—even if your Ethernet cable stays plugged in.
