Access Network Connection without using Control Panel

Question

How do you access Network Connections without using the Control Panel?

I only know the following ways:

• Run ncpa.cpl from the command line.
• Right-click on your network icon in the System Tray, and select Open Network Connections

Answer 1

Like everything in Windows, there's about 5 ways to do it:

My way: Start, right-click on My Network Places, Properties.

Others found in this thread and elsewhere:

• Desktop shortcuts to individual connections
• Sidebar navigation for My Network Places
• Right click the Start button; Explore, select network
• Winkey+E; left->down->right
  • Winkey+E; left->down->asterisk (fully expands every share on the network - not recommended)
• [this space intentionally left blank]

Answer 2

In Windows XP, you can navigate to My Network Places, and then on the left-hand side you should be able to get to your network connections.

Answer 3

What exactly do you want to do?

You can use ipconfig at the command line to release/renew IP addresses, display information, deal with the DNS cache, and some other things.

Answer 4

If you want to access a specific connection. You can create a shortcut in your desktop or somewhere else.