Prioritising wired network over wireless

[LisaW]

Hi all, I've noticed that my XP laptops continue to use the wireless network when the network cable is connected, even if it is already connected when started up. The only way to make them change is to turn the wireless off. It makes a significant difference to the time taken to keep them up to date. Is there any way to force it to choose the wired over the wireless network when available? I haven't tested the one win 7 laptop yet.

[sted]

some manfactures ship software to do this tosh and i believe hp

[Arthur]

Windows 8 includes the ability to disable the Wi-Fi connection when an Ethernet cable is connected (details of the GPO below).

Admittedly not a lot of use for LisaW, but could be useful for future reference?

Minimize the number of simultaneous connections to the Internet or a Windows Domain
This policy restricts simultaneous connections to the Internet or Domain network. If there is at least one active connection to the Internet, a new connection (automatic) to the Internet will not be made. This is the same for Domain network. Manual connection will not affected by this policy. If there are multiple simultaneous connections to the Internet or Domain (i.e., plug-in Ethernet while already connected to WiFi), the less preferred connection (i.e., WiFi) will be disconnected after the OS detects that it is no longer actively being used (i.e., network traffic over the less preferred connection drops below a certain threshold).

Path: Computer Configuration » Administrative Templates » Network » Windows Connection Manager

[witch]

Quite a few of mine have a bios setting that disables the WAN if the LAN is connected - worth a look?

[mac_shinobi]

Quite a few of mine have a bios setting that disables the WAN if the LAN is connected - worth a look?

The Lenovo and Dell laptops we have, have literally got a physical slider switch and most of the people I know literally have this in the off position most of the time and only slide it on when a wireless network is the only method of connecting.

[SneakyBeaky]

I had this problem with my XP laptops and solved it by giving the network priority over the wireless:
Go to
Network connections
Local area connection
Advanced Settings
Now move Local Area Connection to the top so that it is above Wireless Network Connection.
It will now give the network connection priority over the wireless one.
Instructions here:
Change Network adapter priority in XP/2000 | Windows Reference

[Michael]

Nice GPO there Arthur, I'd certainly use that. I wonder if it'll be Windows 7 compatible? I have checked on 2008 R2 and it isn't there, so it's definitely new.

[SneakyBeaky]

Change priority in Windows 7 the same way:
Control Panel>Network and Internet>Network Connections>Advanced>Advanced Settings>
Move Local Area Connection to the top.

Also can be set by changing the network card priority:
How to Change the Priority of Wired/Wireless Network Cards in Windows - How-To Geek

[LisaW]

Thanks for all replies. Laptops are HP. Will try your suggestions when next in (after half term now).