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.

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.

DisabledComponents 0x20: prefer IPv4 over IPv6 without disabling IPv6

Frost LIVENetworkProUndo: YesUpdated Oct 8, 2026View as Markdown

Short answer

Updated Oct 8, 2026

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

Prefer IPv4 over IPv6PRO

Registry

HKLMSYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\Parameters

DisabledComponentsStays 0x200x20

What the switch writes. Your current value may differ.

What it does

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, and when it hurts

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

Exactly what the switch changes, read from the app's source. Switching it off is what the app writes when you turn the tweak off again.

Registry values the switch writes.
Key and value	With the tweak	Switching it off
HKLMSYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\ParametersDisabledComponents	0x20	Stays 0x20Switching it off leaves it.

From the app's source (ipv4_preferred.hpp), app 2.0.0, checked Oct 8, 2026.

The same change by hand

You do not need the app for this one. These commands make the changes from the table above. Run them in a Command Prompt opened as administrator, and make a restore point first.

Make the change · CMD

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

See what it is set to now · CMD

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

How to undo it

In the app: Yes

Switching it off sets a standard Windows value, which may not be exactly how you had 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.

Changing several settings at once? The app's Make a restore point button, on every plan, makes a Windows restore point before you start.

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.

In the app