How to Change When to Use Cellular Instead of Wi-Fi Network in Windows 10


Some Windows 10 devices have a SIM card and/or eSIM in them that lets you connect to a cellular data network (aka: LTE or Broadband), so you can get online in more places by using a cellular signal.

If your Windows 10 device doesn’t have a SIM card or eSIM, you can still connect to a cellular network by plugging in an external cellular device (also called a cellular modem or mobile broadband device). However, these external cellular devices will often have their own settings instead of being able to use the built-in Settings > Network & Internet > Cellular settings in Windows 10.

Sometimes you might be connected to a slower Wi-Fi network, or you might be in an area where using cellular data would be faster than Wi-Fi. In cases like this, Windows can connect you to the best network based on your current location if you select When Wi-Fi is poor or Always. When cellular data is used, it will use data from your data plan and you may incur charges.

By default, Windows will automatically connect to a preferred type of network in this order of preference:
  • Ethernet
  • Wi‑Fi (wireless)
  • Cellular (Mobile broadband)

See also:

This tutorial will show you how to select to never, always, or when Wi-Fi is poor use a cellular network instead of a Wi-Fi network by default in Windows 10.

If you turn off cellular, you will be disconnected from all cellular data networks.

If you turn on airplane mode, it will automatically turn off all cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth wireless communication. However, you will still be able to turn on or off your individual Wi-Fi and Bluetooth communications.


You must have a data plan from a mobile operator to connect to a cellular data network.



Contents

  • Option One: Change When to Use Cellular Instead of Wi-Fi in Settings
  • Option Two: Change When to Use Cellular Instead of Wi-Fi using a REG file






OPTION ONE

Change When to Use Cellular Instead of Wi-Fi in Settings


1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Network & Internet icon.

2 Click/tap on Cellular on the left side, select Never (default), When Wi-Fi is poor, or Always for what you want in the Use cellular instead of Wi-Fi drop menu on the right side. (see screenshots below)

3 You can now close Settings if you like.

Change When to Use Cellular Instead of Wi-Fi Network in Windows 10-never_use_cellular_instead_of_wi-fi.png Change When to Use Cellular Instead of Wi-Fi Network in Windows 10-when_wi-fi_is_poor_use_cellular_instead_of_wi-fi.png
Change When to Use Cellular Instead of Wi-Fi Network in Windows 10-always_use_cellular_instead_of_wi-fi.png






OPTION TWO

Change When to Use Cellular Instead of Wi-Fi using a REG file


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.

The downloadable .reg files below will modify the DWORD value in the registry key below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WcmSvc\CellularFailover

AllowFailover DWORD

0 = Never (default)
1 = When Wi-Fi is poor
2 = Always


1 Do step 2 (never), step 3 (when Wi-Fi is poor), or step 4 (always) below for when you want to use cellular instead of Wi-Fi.


2 To never use cellular instead of Wi-Fi

This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.

Never_use_cellular_instead_of_Wi-Fi.reg

Download


3 To use cellular instead of Wi-Fi when Wi-Fi is poor

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.

When_Wi-Fi_is_poor_use_cellular_instead_of_Wi-Fi.reg

Download


4 To always use cellular instead of Wi-Fi

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.

Always_use_cellular_instead_of_Wi-Fi.reg

Download


5 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

6 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

8 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn


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