Microsoft

Windows 7 Walkthrough: Network and Internet Control Panel

By // October 20, 2009, 6:49 AM PST

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  • Windows 7 Walkthrough: Network and Internet Control Panel

    Windows 7’s Control Panel is literally packed with tools (a.k.a. applets) that allow you to configure and control the way that the operating system works. Because the Control Panel has so many tools, Microsoft added a Search box to make it easy for you to find the tool that you need for a particular task.

    To help you become familiar with all of the tools that are available in Windows 7’s Control Panel, I have created the Windows 7 Walkthrough series in which I’ll show you and provide a brief overview of each tool in the Control Panel categories. This one covers the tools in the Network and Internet Control Panel category.

    Keep in mind that I’ll be using the Ultimate edition of Windows 7, which contains some features not available in other editions of the operating system.

  • Category View

    When you access Windows 7’s Control Panel you’ll see that there are 8 main categories. The Network and Internet category is the second one in the Control Panel and contains all the tools that you’ll use to check the status of the network, change settings, set preferences for sharing files and computers, configure Internet connections, and much more.

    Keep in mind that while I am using the Category view, you can display the Control Panel in either large or small icon view, both of which show icons for each of the 45 tools.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Network and Internet

    When you open the Network and Internet category you’ll see that there are 3 tools in this category.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Network and Sharing Center

    The Network and Sharing Center is essentially the heart of the Network and Internet category and contains most of the controls that you’ll use on a regular basis. If you’re connected to a wireless network, you’ll see information pertaining to a wireless network and an additional option for managing wireless networks.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Network Map

    When you click See full map, you’ll see a map of your network, which is a graphical view of the computers and devices on your network that shows how they're connected.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Set Network Location

    When you click Home Network, you’ll see the Set Network Location window where you can change the type of network to which you are connected. Selecting a different location automatically sets the appropriate firewall and security settings for the type of network that you selected.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Set Up a Connection or Network

    When you select Set up a new connection or network, you’ll access the Set Up a Connection or Network wizard where you can configure different types of network connections.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Connect to a network

    When you select Connect to a network you’ll either reconnect to your network (if you have been disconnected) or you’ll see the currently connected to window.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Choose HomeGroup and sharing options

    When you select Choose HomeGroup and sharing options, you’ll see the Change HomeGroup settings window. This is the same window that the HomeGroup tool in the main Network and Internet window opens.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Troubleshoot problems

    When you select Troubleshoot problems, you’ll access the Network and Internet Troubleshooter, which is a part of Windows 7’s new Troubleshooting Platform, and is designed to help you solve a variety of networking problems.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Change Adapter Settings

    When you select Change Adapter Settings, you’ll see the Network Connections window, which displays the adapters in your system. You can select any of the options on the toolbar or double click on any adapter to see its status.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Change Advanced Sharing Settings

    When you select Change Advanced Sharing Settings, you can change the sharing options for the different network profiles that you have set up. As you can see, in this example, there are two profiles: one for Home or Work and one for Public.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Home or Work (current profile)

    If you open the Home or Work profile, you’ll find a whole range of settings that will allow you to control and configure how and what your system shares on this network. The Public profile has similar settings.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • HomeGroup

    Back in the Network and Internet window, you can access the HomeGroup tool, where you can choose which libraries and printers you want to share with others in the homegroup.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • View or print the HomeGroup password

    When you create a HomeGroup, it is protected by a password that other Windows 7 computers will use to join the HomeGroup. From this window, you will be able to view and print the HomeGroup password.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Change the password

    You can change the HomeGroup password if you so desire.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Leave the HomeGroup

    If you decide that you no longer want to belong to a HomeGroup, you can leave it. After you leave a HomeGroup, you will no longer be able to access files and printers in that HomeGroup.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Start the HomeGroup Troubleshooter

    If you encounter a problem with your HomeGroup, you can launch and use the HomeGroup Troubleshooter to diagnose the problem.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Internet Options

    Back in the Network and Internet window, you can access the Internet Options dialog box, which works just like the one in Windows XP and Windows Vista.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

  • Network and Internet Walkthrough Map

    This tree diagram presents a map of the Network and Internet walkthrough.

    Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic

Windows 7 Walkthrough: Network and Internet Control Panel

Windows 7’s Control Panel is literally packed with tools (a.k.a. applets) that allow you to configure and control the way that the operating system works. Because the Control Panel has so many tools, Microsoft added a Search box to make it easy for you to find the tool that you need for a particular task.

To help you become familiar with all of the tools that are available in Windows 7’s Control Panel, I have created the Windows 7 Walkthrough series in which I’ll show you and provide a brief overview of each tool in the Control Panel categories. This one covers the tools in the Network and Internet Control Panel category.

Keep in mind that I’ll be using the Ultimate edition of Windows 7, which contains some features not available in other editions of the operating system.

Related Topics:

Microsoft Enterprise Software Software Collaboration Mobility Cloud Hardware

About Greg Shultz

Greg Shultz is a freelance Technical Writer. Previously, he has worked as Documentation Specialist in the software industry, a Technical Support Specialist in educational industry, and a Technical Journalist in the computer publishing industry.