Sometimes it is necessary to check the current network connection in Windows. There are a few easy methods to do this. From Windows 7, go to the Network and Sharing Center section. For all other users, there is the 'netstat' or network statistics, a command window tool that can be used to spot problems or find out how much network traffic there is. Fortunately, this command can be done in just a few simple steps.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Using the Network and Sharing Center in Windows 7 to 10
Step 1. Click on Start
Step #2. Go to Settings
Step 3. Select Ethernet
Step 4. Go to the Network and Sharing Center
The Network and Sharing Center is a feature of Windows 7-10 that allows you to view the status of your network, the type of connection you have, whether you can connect to computers other than your own, and whether you are connected to your own network or with the internet.
Step 5. Click on the icon next to 'Connections'
This must match the type of your connection; For example, 'Ethernet' will be represented by the plug of an Ethernet cable, and a wireless network connection will be represented by five bars.
Step 6. Click on details
A window will appear with details about your network connection.
Method 2 of 4: Using the Network Connections folder in Windows 7
Step #1. Open the Start menu
Step 2. Search 'ncpa.cpl' (without the quotes) in the search field
Step 3. Wait for the Network Connections folder to appear
Here you can see all available connections in your network.
Step 4. Right click on the desired connection
Step 5. Select Status from the drop-down menu
Step 6. Wait for the Network Status page to display
Here you can check the status of the network. Click Details for more information.
Method 3 of 4: Using the netstat command in Vista or later
Step #1. Go to the Start menu
Step 2. Search for 'cmd'
Type 'cmd' without quotes in the search field to open the command window.
Step 3. Wait for a black window, or terminal, to appear
Here you will type the command netstat. There are a few different options you can use and some of the more popular ones are listed below.
Step 4. Type netstat -a to view the current connections
This command will give you a list of your current TCP or Transmission Control Protocol connections and ports, with the physical computer name for local addresses and the host name for remote addresses. It will also state the status of the port (waiting, established, etc…)
Step 5. Type netstat -b to see which programs are using which connections
This command will display the same list as netstat -a, but it will also show you which programs are using which connectors/ports.
Step 6. Type netstat -n to display IP addresses
This command shows the same list of TCP connections and ports, but with numeric IP addresses instead of the names of the computers or services.
Step 7. Type netstat /? to display the different commands available
This command will give you the statistics for all variations of the netstat protocols.
Step 8. Check the active network connections
Once you enter the netstat command, a list of TCP/UCP connections with IP addresses will appear.
Method 4 of 4: Using the netstat command in XP
Step 1. Press Start
Step 2. Click on 'Run
' A text field appears.
Step 3. Type 'cmd' without the quotes
Step 4. Wait for a black window, or terminal, to appear
Here you will type the command netstat. There are a few different options you can use and some of the more popular ones are listed below.
Step 5. Type netstat -a to view current connections
This command will give you a list of your current TCP or Transmission Control Protocol connections and ports, with the physical computer name for local addresses and the host name for remote addresses. It will also state the status of the port (waiting, established, etc…)
Step 6. Type netstat -b to see which programs are using which connections
This command will display the same list as netstat -a, but it will also show you which programs are using which connectors/ports.
Step 7. Type netstat -n to display IP addresses
This command shows the same list of TCP connections and ports, but with numeric IP addresses instead of the names of the computers or services.
Step 8. Type netstat /? to display the different commands available
This command will give you the statistics for all variations of the netstat protocols.
Step 9. Check the active network connections
Once you enter the netstat command, a list of TCP/UCP connections and IP addresses will appear.
Tips
- You can also download TCPView from SysInternals
- Experiment - there are many UNIX commands available (like the 'netstat' mentioned above) - use your favorite search engine to look them up.
- It should be noted that the netstat command is deprecated in Linux. Use 'ip –s, 'ss' or 'ip route' instead.