Quick Tip: How to Create a Network Connections Shortcut in Windows 7, Server 2008 and Vista Too!

One of the nasty annoyances in Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 operating system was and still is, for me, the lack of ability to easily access the computer’s network interface cards’ properties.

True, you *could* right-click the network connection icon in the tray area, select “Open Network and Sharing Center”, then click on the “Change Adapter Settings” link. But that’s just too many clicks away.
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True, you *could* do it through the Control Panel, type “netw” or something similar in the Search box, then click on “View Network Connections” link. Again, just too many clicks away.
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True, you *could* do it by running ncpa.cpl from the run command. But again, too much typing.
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True, you *could* simply drag the icon of one of the network interface cards to the desktop and create a shortcut, but that’s only a shortcut, and it does not have the regular “properties” options that the NICs should have. So that’s no good.
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So, how do I get the “Network Connections” icon on my desktop?

To get the “Network Connections” icon on your desktop follow these steps:

1. Right-click an empty spot on your desktop and select “New” > “Shortcut”.
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2. When prompted to type in the location, enter the following line:

explorer.exe ::{7007ACC7-3202-11D1-AAD2-00805FC1270E}

Note: Just copy the above string. Note there’s a space after the “explorer.exe”.
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3. In the name type “Network Connections”.
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4. Click on “Finish”.
Now, double-click the new icon and you’ll be sent straight into the Network Connections folder.


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Bingo!
BTW, the icon which the shortcut uses is taken from explorer.exe. However, you can easily attach the default icon to it. To do so:
1. Right-click the shortcut and select Properties.
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2. Next click on “Change Icon”.
3. Navigate to %systemroot%\System32\netshell.dll. This file contains many network-based icons.
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4. Pick on and click “Ok” all the way out.
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Note: This tip also works for Windows Vista.