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In order for me to connect to my corporate VPN, I need to click the VPN link in the list of networks. This isn’t really a problem, just an inconvenience.

To open the list of networks in Windows 8 (from the desktop) you can click the network icon in the tray. To open from the Start menu you need the Info Pane (Win+I) and then click the network icon (at the bottom).

My goal is to go straight to the list of networks from any screen with a single keystroke. Does anyone know the keyboard shortcut to open the list of networks?

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  • 2
    Why not create a shortcut to the VPN connection on your Desktop and assign it a global shortcut?
    – user3463
    Oct 22, 2012 at 19:38
  • I like the idea, but looking for a keyboard shortcut - one I can take with me from machine to machine, too. I really find myself repeating this task everywhere I go.
    – Jerry Nixon
    Oct 24, 2012 at 18:21
  • Soooooooo needy. Apparently, you're too good to take 1 extra step. 48 new shortcuts in Windows 8 and it's still not good enough for you!
    – Mufasa
    Oct 28, 2012 at 7:03
  • I do hope @Mufasa is being sarcastic.
    – Ted
    Dec 10, 2012 at 22:25
  • @Ted: Yes, I was.
    – Mufasa
    Dec 11, 2012 at 0:27

3 Answers 3

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I don't know any shortcut to open the network list, but you can access it via the command line:

rundll32.exe van.dll,RunVAN
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  • Nice work. This is the one.
    – Jerry Nixon
    Jan 14, 2014 at 22:22
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Win + B gets you to the notification area. You could either arrow key over to the icon, or set it as the first icon (from the left).

Then, all you have to do is: Win + B, Enter.

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4
  • This is not true, unfortunately
    – Jerry Nixon
    Jan 3, 2014 at 20:48
  • Didn't work for me I'm afraid
    – Preet Sangha
    Aug 15, 2014 at 2:51
  • +1 Win+b works for me on Windows 8.1, thanks! 'Show hidden icons' always gets focus first, but you can at least make the network icon the next one over by editing its behaviour in the customize dialog.
    – Ergwun
    Oct 15, 2014 at 11:35
  • Almost there but still I couldn't use my up arrow(or another key?) to get to the network of choice.
    – Antony Thomas
    Nov 8, 2015 at 3:03
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There is no built in way for the Windows but you can do it using AutoHotKey, download it and install it. Now open the notepad and type the following code

^L::Run::{7007acc7-3202-11d1-aad2-00805fc1270e}

and save it with .ahk extension, launch this script by double click on it and now when you will click the Ctrl+L it will open the network connections window.

You can also compile this script after creating it by right click on it which would become a portable exe, just carry it wherever and launch it.

Note: You can change the L key with your preferred key.

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  • You can tell me if you don't like this way.
    – avirk
    Oct 24, 2012 at 19:07

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