How to Minimize Number of Simultaneous Connections to Internet or Domain in Windows 10
The Minimize the number of simultaneous connections to the Internet or a Windows Domain policy setting determines if a computer can have multiple connections to the Internet or to a Windows domain. If multiple connections are allowed, it then determines how network traffic will be routed.
If this policy setting is enabled and set to 0, a computer can have simultaneous connections to the internet, to a Windows domain, or to both. Internet traffic can be routed over any connection - including a cellular connection and any metered network. This setting behaves the same as setting the policy to Not Configured or Disabled.
If this policy setting is enabled and set to 1, any new automatic internet connection is blocked when the computer has at least one active internet connection to a preferred type of network. Here's the order of preference (from most preferred to least preferred): Ethernet, WLAN, then cellular. Ethernet is always preferred when connected. Users can still manually connect to any network.
If this policy setting is enabled and set to 2, the behavior is similar to 1. However, if a cellular data connection is available, it will always stay connected for services that require a cellular connection. When the user is connected to a WLAN or Ethernet connection, no internet traffic will be routed over the cellular connection.
If this policy setting is enabled and set to 3, the behavior is similar to 2. However, if there's an Ethernet connection, Windows won't allow users to connect to a WLAN manually. A WLAN can only be connected (automatically or manually) when there's no Ethernet connection.
See also: Understanding and configuring Windows Connection Manager | Microsoft Hardware Dev Center
This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable minimize the number of simultaneous connections to the Internet or a Windows Domain on the computer in Windows 10.
If this Minimize the number of simultaneous connections to the Internet or a Windows Domain policy is set to Not Configured (default), Disabled, or set to 0 while Enabled, Windows will not disconnect from any networks for the Enable Windows to soft-disconnect a computer from a network policy even if enabled.
Contents
- Option One: Enable or Disable Minimize Number of Simultaneous Connections to Internet or Domain in Local Group Policy Editor
- Option Two: Enable or Disable Minimize Number of Simultaneous Connections to Internet or Domain using a REG file
EXAMPLE: Minimize number of simultaneous connections to Internet or Domain enabled
The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
All editions can use Option Two.
1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor.
2 Navigate to the key below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Network\Windows Connection Manager
3 In the right pane of Windows Connection Manager in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Minimize the number of simultaneous connections to the Internet or a Windows Domain policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)
4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you would like to do.
A) Select (dot) Enabled, select the policy setting you want below in the Minimize Policy Options drop menu, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)
- 0 - Allow simultaneous connections (same as Not Configured or Disabled)
- 1 - Minimize simultaneous connections
- 2 - Stay connected to cellular
- 3 - Prevent Wi-Fi when on Ethernet
A) Select (dot) Not Configured or Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)
Not Configured is the default setting.
7 Close the Local Group Policy Editor.
The downloadable .reg files below will add and modify the DWORD value in the registry keys below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WcmSvc\GroupPolicy
fSoftDisconnectConnections DWORD
(delete) = Not Configured or Disabled
0 = Allow simultaneous connections (same as Not Configured or Disabled)
1 = Minimize simultaneous connections
2 = Stay connected to cellular
3 = Prevent Wi-Fi when on Ethernet
1 Do step 2 (enable 0), step 3 (enable 1), step 4 (enable 2), step 5 (enable 3), or step 6 (default) below for which policy setting you want to set.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 7 below.
0-Allow_simultaneous_connections--Minimize_simultaneous_connections_policy.reg
Download
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 7 below.
1-Minimize_simultaneous_connections--Minimize_simultaneous_connections_policy.reg
Download
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 7 below.
2-Stay_connected_to_cellular--Minimize_simultaneous_connections_policy.reg
Download
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 7 below.
3-Prevent_Wi-Fi_when_on_Ethernet--Minimize_simultaneous_connections_policy.reg
[dl]https://www.tenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/262731d1578768584/dl-minimize-number-connections-internet-domain-windows-10-a-3-prevent_wi-fi_when_on_ethernet-minimize_simultaneous_connections_policy.reg]
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 7 below.
Default_Not_Configured_or_Disabled--Minimize_simultaneous_connections_policy.reg
Download
7 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
8 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
9 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
10 You could now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn
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- How to Enable or Disable Soft Disconnect Computer from a Network in Windows 10
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- Enable or Disable Simultaneous Connections to Both Non-domain and Domain Networks in Windows 10
Minimize Number of Connections to Internet or Domain in Windows 10
Minimize Number of Connections to Internet or Domain in Windows 10
How to Minimize Number of Simultaneous Connections to Internet or Domain in Windows 10Published by Shawn BrinkCategory: Network & Sharing
03 Feb 2020
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