Shortcut to Open Network Connections Quickly in Vista
User interface of Network Connections in Windows Vista has changed considerably from Windows XP, and to open up Network Connections folder to check and view all available LAN, Dial-up or High Speed Internet network access connections becomes a much more complicated task. Users have to click on Start button, then go to Control Panel, Network and Internet, Network and Sharing Center and then click on Manage Network Connections on the left Tasks pane to open Network Connections. With the following trick, we will create a quick access shortcut to immediately and instantly open Network Connections when clicked.
- At empty area of Windows Vista desktop or any other folder that you want to place the Network Connections shortcut, hit the right button of your mouse, i.e. right click on desktop area.
- Select New on the right click contextual menu, then click Shortcut.

- In the “Create Shortcut” wizard dialog, you will be asked to type the location of the item. Enter the following text in the box provided:
explorer.exe ::{7007ACC7-3202-11D1-AAD2-00805FC1270E}
- Click on Next button when done.
- Then you will be asked to type a name for this shortcut. Enter a name to label the shortcut created, Network Connections is a reasonable choice.
- Click on Finish button when done.
- A shortcut will be created and placed on the desktop or folder that you initiated the new shortcut creation process.
Now we can double click on this Network Connections shortcut to directly go into Network Connections folder without going through many clicks of navigation. If you prefer, you can also drag and drop the shortcut to Start Menu or Quick Launch bar. You can also right click on the shortcut and select “Pin to Start Menu” to have it shown in Start Menu.
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January 10th, 2009 00:38
Works on XP to.
December 7th, 2008 22:20
steve, could you just show use what registry key you changed/added with the little tool, so we don’t have to run this executable and can have full control…
thanks!
November 24th, 2008 12:29
Steve you kinda sound like a spammer, no ofence but it sounds a bit sketchy.
November 24th, 2008 12:29
yea steve you kinda sound like a spammer, no ofence but it sounds a bit sketchy.
March 23rd, 2008 08:10
Hey guys, I created a program that actually adds Network Connections to Control Panel in Windows Vista. Copy the following link into browser to download: “http://www.sevanstech.com/downloads/Vista%20Network%20Connections%20Enabler.exe”. Don’t worry it is virus-free, and installs instantly.
October 12th, 2007 04:33
Why don’t use just ncpa.cpl instead of explorer.exe ::{7007ACC7-3202-11D1-AAD2-00805FC1270E} ? I think it’s more clear
)
October 11th, 2007 16:08
It’s even simpler. Open the network connections dialog and drag&drop the icon before the text “network connections” from inside the address bar onto the desktop. Now you also have a shortcut but with the correct network icon.