There can be several instances when you need to kill or turn off your internet in an instant. For PC users with Ethernet, or anyone else, having a kill switch in Windows can somehow turn out to be useful. If you sense suspicious activity on your internet connection, just hit the kill switch.
The term “Kill Switch” seems rather scary, and that is why it isn’t an official term. However, many VPN services offer a feature that goes by the same name. In VPN services, the feature takes your system offline when you lose connection to their servers to maintain privacy. Using this guide, you can trigger the kill switch to put your system offline in case your PC gets attacked.
Why do I need a kill switch?
A kill switch has quite a few practical use cases. For instance, you’re uploading a file that you didn’t mean to upload, you can cut the internet connection to prevent the same. Or, maybe you need to lie about the internet not working, you can do so just by a few mouse clicks or a keyboard shortcut.
Above all, a kill switch is nothing more than a panic button. You can use it to get out of situations when you need to pull the internet wires. Hence, it’s all about a convenient way to cut off your internet connection.
Create a Kill Switch in Windows
You can easily create a kill switch in Windows by creating a desktop shortcut that disables your network adapter. Follow the below steps to do so.
1. Firstly, open the Windows 10 Settings app using the Start Menu or the keyboard shortcut Windows key + I.
2. Navigate to the “Network & Internet” page. On the status tab, note your current network adapter’s name. For wired connections, the name should be “Ethernet,” and “WiFi” for wireless connection. Although, the network adapter name on your machine might be different.
3. Next, right-click on the empty area on your Desktop and select New > Shortcut.
4. In the location bar of the shortcut configuration dialog, enter the following text:
C:\Windows\System32\netsh.exe interface set interface name="XXXX" admin = disabledIn the text, replace the XXXX with your network adapter name. For example, change it to Ethernet for wired connections. The end product should look like this:
C:\Windows\System32\netsh.exe interface set interface name="Ethernet" admin = disabled
5. Further, click on the Next button. Now, enter a suitable name for the shortcut, such as “Kill Switch” and save the shortcut.
6. Right-click on the newly created shortcut and open its Properties. There, click on “Advanced” on the Shortcut tab.
7. Finally, check the “Run as administrator” option as the kill switch requires administrator permission to function and then click on OK.
8. You can also change the kill switch’s icon to make it distinguishable. Simply click on the “Change icon” option in the Shortcut tab of its Properties.
9. Furthermore, you can assign a keyboard shortcut to trigger the shortcut, simply click on the shortcut key option on the Shortcut tab in Properties, and press the keyboard shortcut that you want to assign to the switch.
Just don’t click the switch yet, you’ll need to create a reconnect switch to get your internet access back.
Creating a Reconnect Switch
After you’ve disconnected your internet using the kill switch in Windows, you will need a reconnect switch to gain your internet access back. You’ll need to create another shortcut for it.
1. Repeat the above steps to find out your network adapter name. Post that, right-click on the empty area on your Desktop and select New > Shortcut.
2. In the location bar of the shortcut configuration dialog, enter the following text:
C:\Windows\System32\netsh.exe interface set interface name="XXXX" admin = enabledIn the text, replace the XXXX with your network adapter name. For example, change it to Ethernet for wired connections. The end product should look like this:
C:\Windows\System32\netsh.exe interface set interface name="Ethernet" admin = enabled
3. Then, click on the Next button and name the shortcut as “Reconnect” and click on the Finish button.
4. Further, right-click on the newly created shortcut and open its Properties. There, click on “Advanced” on the Shortcut tab.
5. Finally, check the “Run as administrator” option as the switch requires administrator permission to function and then click on OK.
6. You can also change the switch’s icon to make it distinguishable. Simply click on the “Change icon” option in the Shortcut tab of its Properties.
7. Furthermore, you can assign a keyboard shortcut to trigger the shortcut, simply click on the shortcut key option on the Shortcut tab in Properties, and press the keyboard shortcut that you want to assign to the switch.
Testing the Kill Switch
Once you’ve successfully created a Kill Switch and a Reconnect switch, you can test it. To begin, simply double click on the Kill Switch shortcut or press your custom keyboard shortcut that you assigned to the switch, and select Yes when prompted. A Command Prompt window will briefly open and then close. Your internet will now be disabled. To check, go to the “Network & Internet” settings and you’ll see that there won’t be any active internet connection.
To revert the changes, simply double-click on the Reconnect shortcut or press your custom keyboard shortcut that you assigned to the switch and select Yes when prompted. Voila, your internet connection will be restored! To conclude, this unofficial Kill Switch on Windows is an efficient way to quickly disable your internet connection.
Make sure to check our Windows 11 guides for more useful tips.
