How to Change the Priority of Wireless Networks in Vista and Windows 7

   Information
This tutorial will show you how to change the connection priority order of your wireless network profiles to how you like for all users in Vista and Windows 7.

   Note
Windows usually connects to networks in this order:

  1. Ethernet
  2. Wi‑Fi
  3. Mobile broadband
When you connect to a new Wi‑Fi network, it’s added to the list, and Windows will connect to that network while it’s in range. If you connect to another Wi‑Fi network while in range of the first network, Windows will prefer the second network over the first one.

Mobile broadband networks are treated differently. If you manually connect to a mobile broadband network when there is a Wi‑Fi network in range, the mobile broadband network is preferred just for that session. The next time you’re in range of both networks, the Wi‑Fi network is preferred. This is because mobile broadband networks typically are metered.

If you want to force your PC to prefer a mobile broadband network over Wi‑Fi, tap or click the Wi‑Fi network in the list of networks, and then click Disconnect. Windows won’t automatically connect to that Wi‑Fi network.





OPTION ONE

To Change Priority of Wireless Networks in Command Prompt


NOTE: Using OPTION TWO below would be much easier unless you just wanted or needed to use the command prompt.



OPTION TWO

To Change Priority of Wireless Networks in "Manage Wireless Networks" UI


1. Do step 2 or 3 below for how you would like to open the Network and Sharing Center.

2. Open the Control Panel in Vista (classic view) or Windows 7 (icons view), click on the Network and Sharing Center icon, and go to step 4 below.

3. On your desktop, right click or click on the Network icon in the taskbar notification area, click on Open Network and Sharing Center, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)
Wireless Networks Priority - Change in Vista and Windows 7-wireless_priority-1.jpg
4. Click on the Manage wireless networks link on the left side in Network and Sharing Center. (see screenshots below)
NOTE: If you do not have a Manage wireless networks link, then it means that you do not have a wireless connection on your computer.
Wireless Networks Priority - Change in Vista and Windows 7-wireless_priority-2.jpg
5. You will now see a list of wireless networks (profiles) that you have connected to. You can now select or right click on a wireless network, and move up or move down it on the connection priority order in the list to how you prefer. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If you like, you can also rename or remove wireless networks from here as well.
Wireless Networks Priority - Change in Vista and Windows 7-wireless_priority-3.jpg Wireless Networks Priority - Change in Vista and Windows 7-wireless_priority-4.jpg
That's it,
Shawn