📊
Network Throttling
Optimization Category
Understanding Network Throttling
MediumLearn about Windows network throttling and how it impacts gaming performance
💡 Understanding throttling helps determine if disabling it will help your use case
What is NetworkThrottlingIndex?
ℹ️
Windows limits non-multimedia traffic processing to 10 packets per millisecond (approximately 100 Mbits/s) to prioritize multimedia applications. On Gigabit networks and in online gaming, this artificial limit can reduce performance.
Default Behavior
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Default value: 10 packets/ms
For media sharing: 10 packets/ms
For gaming/max throughput: 0xffffffff (disabled)
Performance Impact
ℹ️
- Reduces ping spikes in online games
- Improves maximum throughput on Gigabit networks
- Better performance in games like TF2, CS:S, Left 4 Dead, HoN, CoD, and Overlord
- Only effective on Gigabit connections (100+ Mbps)
Check Current Throttling Value
MediumView your current NetworkThrottlingIndex setting
💡 Verify your current network throttling configuration before making changes
View Current Value
This command shows your current NetworkThrottlingIndex value. Default is 10.
PowerShell / CMD
Expected Default Output
ℹ️
NetworkThrottlingIndex : 10
Disable Network Throttling
MediumSet NetworkThrottlingIndex to maximum for gaming performance
💡 Removes Windows packet processing limit for maximum throughput
Set NetworkThrottlingIndex to 0xffffffff
This sets the value to the maximum (0xffffffff = 4294967295), effectively disabling throttling. Recommended for gaming on Gigabit networks.
PowerShell / CMD
Important
⚠️
This change requires administrator privileges and Windows restart to take effect.
Verify Throttling is Disabled
MediumConfirm that network throttling has been successfully disabled
💡 Ensures configuration changes took effect
Check New Value
After restarting Windows, verify the NetworkThrottlingIndex is now set to the maximum value.
PowerShell / CMD
Expected Output After Disabling
ℹ️
NetworkThrottlingIndex : 4294967295 (or shown in hex as 0xffffffff)
When to Use Network Throttling Disable
MediumDetermine if disabling throttling is right for your setup
💡 Helps decide if this optimization applies to your gaming style
Recommended For
ℹ️
✓ Gaming on Gigabit networks (100+ Mbps)
✓ Online multiplayer games (FPS, MOBA, MMO)
✓ Games experiencing ping spikes: TF2, CS:S, Left 4 Dead, HoN, CoD, Overlord
✓ Systems where media streaming is not a priority
Not Recommended For
ℹ️
✗ Systems with media streaming as priority
✗ Non-Gigabit networks (under 100 Mbps)
✗ General-purpose systems balancing gaming and media
NetworkThrottlingIndex Values Reference
MediumUnderstanding different NetworkThrottlingIndex values
💡 Reference guide for different throttling levels
Common Values
ℹ️
10 (0xa) - Default Windows setting, 10 packets/ms (~100 Mbits/s)
10 (0xa) - Media sharing priority mode
0xffffffff - Gaming mode, maximum throughput (disabled throttling)
Most systems use 10 by default. Gaming optimized systems should use 0xffffffff.
Revert Network Throttling
MediumRestore default network throttling settings
💡 Allows reverting to default behavior if needed
Restore Default Value
This sets NetworkThrottlingIndex back to the default value of 10.
PowerShell / CMD
After Reverting
ℹ️
Restart Windows for changes to take effect. Default throttling (10 packets/ms) will be restored.
Network Throttling Best Practices
MediumImportant guidelines for applying network throttling optimizations
💡 Prevents issues and ensures optimal configuration
Before Making Changes
⚠️
1. Create a system restore point
2. Run PowerShell as Administrator
3. Check that you have a Gigabit network connection
4. Verify your network speed: Run speed test before and after
5. Test on non-critical network first
Compatibility
ℹ️
Works on Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. Most effective on Gigabit networks. Minimal impact on networks under 100 Mbps.
Testing Results
ℹ️
Expected improvements: Reduced ping spikes, faster downloads/uploads on Gigabit networks. Some users report 10-30% latency improvement in specific games.