---
title: "DisabledComponents 0x20: prefer IPv4 over IPv6 without disabling IPv6"
description: "DisabledComponents controls parts of the Windows IPv6 stack. What the tweak changes, when it helps, when it hurts and how to undo it."
url: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/prefer-ipv4-over-ipv6
author: Frost LIVE, Founder of Frozen Tweaks
published: 2026-10-08
updated: 2026-10-08
category: "Network"
source: Frozen Tweaks (https://frozentweaks.com)
---

# DisabledComponents 0x20: prefer IPv4 over IPv6 without disabling IPv6

**Short answer:** DisabledComponents controls parts of the Windows IPv6 stack. The value 0x20 keeps IPv6 working but makes Windows choose IPv4 first when a server offers both. It is the setting Microsoft documents for this, as opposed to switching IPv6 off. In the registry it sets DisabledComponents to 0x20 under HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\Parameters.

## In the app

- Switch: Prefer IPv4 over IPv6 (Network, Pro, Advanced)
- Undo: Yes. Switching it off sets a standard Windows value, which may not be exactly how you had it.
- Game profiles that switch it on: Apex Legends, ARC Raiders, Battlefield 6 and 16 more
- Catalog row: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks#t-1035

## What it does

DisabledComponents controls parts of the Windows IPv6 stack. The value 0x20 keeps IPv6 working but makes Windows choose IPv4 first when a server offers both. It is the setting Microsoft documents for this, as opposed to switching IPv6 off.

In the app the switch is called "Prefer IPv4 over IPv6", described there as: Reduces odd route/latency edge-cases by preferring IPv4 without breaking IPv6-only features (reboot).

## When it helps

- Connections where the IPv6 route to a game server is worse than the IPv4 one, which happens with some providers.

## When it hurts

- If your provider's IPv6 route is the better one, you move to the slower path.
- It needs a restart, and it changes nothing for servers that only have one kind of address.

## What it writes

Read from the app's source. "Switching it off" is what the app writes when you turn the tweak off again.

Registry values:

| Key | Value | With the tweak | Switching it off |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\Parameters` | `DisabledComponents` | `0x20` | Stays 0x20 (switching it off leaves it) |

Source: Tweaks/ipv4_preferred.hpp in the app's source, app 2.0.0, checked 2026-10-08.

## The same change by hand

Run in a Command Prompt opened as administrator. Make a restore point first.

```bat
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\Parameters" /v "DisabledComponents" /t REG_DWORD /d 0x20 /f
```

See what it is set to now:

```bat
reg query "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\Parameters" /v "DisabledComponents"
```

## How to undo it

Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. The values in the table are left as they are, so set them by hand if you want the old behavior.

## Verdict

A targeted fix for a routing problem. Test your ping both ways before keeping it.

## Questions

### What does the "Prefer IPv4 over IPv6" tweak change in Windows?

In the registry it sets DisabledComponents to 0x20 under HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\Parameters.

### Is "Prefer IPv4 over IPv6" safe to switch on?

A targeted fix for a routing problem. Test your ping both ways before keeping it. The main cost: If your provider's IPv6 route is the better one, you move to the slower path.

### How do I undo it?

Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. Switching it off sets a standard Windows value, which may not be exactly how you had it.

### Does it need a restart?

Yes, the change applies after a restart.

### Is "Prefer IPv4 over IPv6" free in Frozen Tweaks?

It is part of Frozen Pro and Elite. You can also make the change by hand with the values on this page.

## Related guides

- [How to Reduce Input Lag on PC: The Whole Latency Chain](https://frozentweaks.com/guides/reduce-input-lag)

## More tweak explainers

- [BITS](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-bits-service)
- [ETW autologgers](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-etw-autologgers)
- [WLAN AutoConfig (WlanSvc)](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/disable-wlan-autoconfig)

---
Written by Frost LIVE, founder of Frozen Tweaks. Canonical version: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/prefer-ipv4-over-ipv6