The registry settings in this gist can be used to configure Windows to automatically connect to Ethernet networks and approved Wi-Fi networks.
In Windows 10—version 1809, build 17763.404 and later—the Windows Connection Manager (WCM) policy "Minimize the number of simultaneous connections to the Internet or a Windows Domain"—a.k.a. fMinimizeConnections—controls automatic network connection and routing when multiple networks are detected.
Network equipment manufacturers (e.g., Intel's Killer Networking group) and system integrators (e.g., Omen by HP) have started offering tools for managing routing over multiple network connections—e.g.,
- Killer Networking's DoubleShot Pro;
- The Dual Force feature available on some Omen systems.
These routing features are most useful when WCM automatically connects to both a wired and wireless network, but many times fMinimizeConnections is either:
- not configured—i.e., a value for
fMinimizeConnectionsis not present; or - the policy may be configured to minimize the number of network connections.
In both these situations, WCM will not automatically connect to both Ethernet and Wi-Fi networks—and prevents advanced routing features from just working.
fMinimizeConnections behavior
| Value | Policy |
|---|---|
| 0 | Allow simultaneous connections |
| 1 | Minimize simultaneous connections |
| 2 | Stay connected to cellular |
| 3 | Prevent Wi-Fi when connected to Ethernet |