View the List of Available Connections
The Network Connections folder allows you to view all defined network connections and their current status.
With the Network Connections folder, you can:
- See each connection displayed with a graphical icon that conveys status information about that connection.
The icons included in the graphic are explained in the Icons used to represent network connections section. - Query each currently active network connection for status.
- Configure the properties of each connection to change how they connect to their remote networks.
- Any user account can be used to complete this procedure. Review the details in "Additional considerations" in this topic.
When in the Network Connections folder, you can right-click any of the icons to:
- Connect or Disconnect to a network. For more information see Connect to a Remote Network.
- Specify a Default connection. The default connection is the one that Windows attempts to start whenever it needs to access the network, and no connection is currently active.
- Display the Status page for an active connection.
- Diagnose problems with an active connection.
- Display the Properties page to configure the connection.
- Rename a connection.
- Create a Copy of a connection.
To view the list of available network connections
Start the Network Connections Folder.
Windows displays the Network Connections folder, with the networks organized by type.
Additional considerations
- Standard users can view details about a connection, but you must be an administrator to change configuration settings for a connection.
Icons used to represent network connections
Windows displays graphical representations of your available network connections. These icons include elements that are layered on top of each other to convey status information about that connection.
General Status
The basic icon indicates whether you network connection is currently active or not.
- The following icon is displayed when the connection is enabled and connected.
.gif "Icon used to represent an active connection")
- The following icon is displayed when the connection is disabled or not connected.
.gif "A connection that is disabled or disconnected")
Connection Type
These icons are added to the graphic for a connection based on its type of connection.
- Wired LAN
.gif "A wired LAN or IEEE 1394 connection")
- Wireless network
.gif "A wireless network connection")
- Virtual private network (VPN)
.gif "A virtual private network (VPN) connection")
- Dial-up network
.gif "A dial-up network connection")
- A network connection created with Connection Manager
.gif "A network connection created by Connection Manager")
- Bluetooth personal area network (PAN)
.gif "A Bluetooth network connection")
- Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE)
.gif "A broadband network connection using PPPoE")
Other status indicators
- On a wired LAN connection, this indicates that the network cable is disconnected or broken. In the case of a wireless network adapter, it indicates that it is not currently associated with an access point.
.gif "A connection that is physically unplugged")
- Default network connection
.gif "The default network connection")
- No modem is available for a dial-up connection
.gif "No modem is available for this dial-up network")
- Network bridge - indicates that one or more of the high speed network connections are bridged through this computer.
.gif "Network Bridge")
See Also
Concepts
Creating New Network Connections
Managing Your Network Connections
Configuring Network Connections
Configuring Incoming Connections
Configuring Network Protocols and Components
Securing Network Connections
Enable Connection Logging
Installing and Configuring Modems and ISDN Adapters