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Open the Network Connections folder and view available connections

Applies To: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 7

You can use this procedure to open the Network Connections folder 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. For more information, see Review Network and Sharing Center icons

  • View the status of active network connections.

  • Configure network connection properties.

When in the Network Connections folder, you can right-click any of the icons to:

  • Connect to or Disconnect from a 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.

Any user account can be used to complete this procedure. Review the details in "Additional considerations" in this topic.

To open Network Connections

  1. Start Network and Sharing Center.

  2. Do one of the following:

    • In Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, in the Tasks pane, click Change adapter settings.

    • In Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, in the Tasks pane, click Manage network connections.

Additional considerations

  • Although a standard user can start the Network Connections folder and perform some tasks, many configuration changes can only be made by an administrator or a member of the Network Configuration Operators group. See the group membership requirements documented in each procedure in this guide.

See Also

Concepts

Administer Network and Sharing Center
Manage Network Connections