Make Windows prefer one network adapter over another — via Microsoft Learn

Commandmedium riskNeeds adminWindows 11Windows 10

With Ethernet, Wi-Fi and VPN adapters all connected, Windows picks a route by interface metric. Setting a lower metric on the adapter you want makes traffic prefer it.

Takes effect right away

Command

Run in an administrator PowerShell / Terminal window.

Get-NetIPInterface | Sort-Object InterfaceMetric
Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -InterfaceMetric 15

Undo

Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -AutomaticMetric Enabled
Lower number = preferred. Windows already prefers wired over wireless with automatic metrics, so only change this when it's choosing wrong (often with VPNs or USB adapters). Since Windows 10 the metric replaced the old adapter binding order. The GUI equivalent is the adapter's IPv4 properties → Advanced → untick Automatic metric.

Sources

Source reviewed
2026-11-02
Link checked
2026-11-02
Tested hands-on
Not by Oddbyte.Me

Oddbyte.Me hasn't tried this on every Windows build, so keep the undo handy.

interface metricethernet vs wi-fivpnroutingadapter order

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