Minimize the number of simultaneous connections to the Internet or a Windows Domain: registry value fMinimizeConnectionsComputerHKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WcmSvc\GroupPolicy
- Policy ID
- WCM_MinimizeConnections
- Scope
- Computer Configuration
- Supported on
- At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
- Source
- Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
- Category
- Network › Windows Connection Manager
Registry
fMinimizeConnections
REG_DWORDComputer- Enabled value
- Depends on the option value
- Element
- Minimize Policy Options
| Item | Stored value |
|---|---|
| 0 = Allow simultaneous connections | 0 |
| 1 = Minimize simultaneous connections | 1 |
| 2 = Stay connected to cellular | 2 |
| 3 = Prevent Wi-Fi when on Ethernet | 3 |
Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell
.reg
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WcmSvc\GroupPolicy] ; Options (use only one) ; 0 = Allow simultaneous connections "fMinimizeConnections"=dword:00000000 ; 1 = Minimize simultaneous connections "fMinimizeConnections"=dword:00000001 ; 2 = Stay connected to cellular "fMinimizeConnections"=dword:00000002 ; 3 = Prevent Wi-Fi when on Ethernet "fMinimizeConnections"=dword:00000003
CMD
:: Options (use only one) :: 0 = Allow simultaneous connections reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WcmSvc\GroupPolicy" /v "fMinimizeConnections" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f :: 1 = Minimize simultaneous connections reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WcmSvc\GroupPolicy" /v "fMinimizeConnections" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f :: 2 = Stay connected to cellular reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WcmSvc\GroupPolicy" /v "fMinimizeConnections" /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f :: 3 = Prevent Wi-Fi when on Ethernet reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WcmSvc\GroupPolicy" /v "fMinimizeConnections" /t REG_DWORD /d 3 /f
PowerShell
# Common: create the key New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WcmSvc\GroupPolicy' -Force | Out-Null # Options (use only one) # 0 = Allow simultaneous connections New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WcmSvc\GroupPolicy' -Name 'fMinimizeConnections' -PropertyType DWord -Value 0 -Force | Out-Null # 1 = Minimize simultaneous connections New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WcmSvc\GroupPolicy' -Name 'fMinimizeConnections' -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null # 2 = Stay connected to cellular New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WcmSvc\GroupPolicy' -Name 'fMinimizeConnections' -PropertyType DWord -Value 2 -Force | Out-Null # 3 = Prevent Wi-Fi when on Ethernet New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WcmSvc\GroupPolicy' -Name 'fMinimizeConnections' -PropertyType DWord -Value 3 -Force | Out-Null