5 Ways to Open Network Connections from CMD and Windows 10 GUI • Wi-Fi Settings (2025)

5 Ways to Open Network Connections from CMD and Windows 10 GUI • Wi-Fi Settings (1)

by Sergey Shcherban

Contents

In this guide you will learn how to open Network Connections on Windows 10 from CMD (Command Line), PowerShell, Run dialogue, Settings app and Control Panel.

Network Connections is a Control Panel applet but it is still actively used in Windows 10 because Microsoft has not developed its substitute in modern Settings app.

Admins and experienced users often need to launch the Network Connections applet for various purposes: change the IP-address for Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, enable / disable IPv6, assign Google DNS for the current PC, etc.

No matter which method you use, you will see the same Network Connections applet open:

5 Ways to Open Network Connections from CMD and Windows 10 GUI • Wi-Fi Settings (2)

Open the Network Connections Applet Using Run Dialogue

You can open the applet using the command right from the Run dialogue without actually launching command line (a.k.a. cmd):

  • Press Win+R key combination
  • Typencpa.cpl (you can copy and paste the command into the “open” field).
  • HitEnteror click OK:5 Ways to Open Network Connections from CMD and Windows 10 GUI • Wi-Fi Settings (3)

Open Network Connections from CMD

  • Press Win+R.
  • Type cmd
  • Hit Enter or click OK to launch Command Line: 5 Ways to Open Network Connections from CMD and Windows 10 GUI • Wi-Fi Settings (4)
  • type ncpa.cpl
  • Hit Enter: 5 Ways to Open Network Connections from CMD and Windows 10 GUI • Wi-Fi Settings (5)

Open Network Connections from PowerShell

Almost the same steps:

  • Right-click the Windows 10 Start Button.
  • Select Windows PowerShell or Windows PowerShell (Admin): 5 Ways to Open Network Connections from CMD and Windows 10 GUI • Wi-Fi Settings (6)
  • Type ncpa.cpl
  • Hit Enter: 5 Ways to Open Network Connections from CMD and Windows 10 GUI • Wi-Fi Settings (7)

Open the Network Connections Applet from Modern Settings App

  • Right-click the network icon in the Taskbar and select Open Network and Internet settings: 5 Ways to Open Network Connections from CMD and Windows 10 GUI • Wi-Fi Settings (8)Alternatively you can open the Settings app from Start menu, Action Center or by pressing Win+I key combination and click on the Network & Internet section: 5 Ways to Open Network Connections from CMD and Windows 10 GUI • Wi-Fi Settings (9)
  • Select Status in the left pane.
  • Click on the Change adapter options link: 5 Ways to Open Network Connections from CMD and Windows 10 GUI • Wi-Fi Settings (10)
    It will bring you directly to Network Connections.

Open Network Connections from Control Panel Itself

  • Open the Control Panel. In the latest build of Windows 10 the fastest way to do it is to press Win+R key combination, type control and hit Enter: 5 Ways to Open Network Connections from CMD and Windows 10 GUI • Wi-Fi Settings (11)
  • If theCategory view is selected, click on View network status and tasks: 5 Ways to Open Network Connections from CMD and Windows 10 GUI • Wi-Fi Settings (12)
  • If the Small icons view is active, click on Network and Sharing Center: 5 Ways to Open Network Connections from CMD and Windows 10 GUI • Wi-Fi Settings (13)Either way, the Network Connections applet will show up.

Thank you.

  1. Very useful tips

    Reply

  2. But how do you do it elevated? This is great if your already running as an administrator, but how do you do this from a regular user account? RunAs and starting cmd as Administrator doesn’t work. If you right-click the Properties of an adapter, it’s greyed out. Thanks

    Reply

  3. A 6th Way To Open “Network Connections” – I looked at your CMD and POWERSHELL methods, and simplified: Create a new desktop Shortcut: When the windows shortcut wizard prompts you to “Type the location of this item”, reply ncpa.cpl – Click Next. – On the next screen “Type a name for this shortcut”, – Click Finish, and you’re done! (The shortcut “target” automatically gets stored by the wizard as: C:\windows\system32\ncpa.cpl with a type of Control Panel Item)
    I’m on Windows 10 Pro, version 20H2 OS Build(19042.867).

    Reply

  4. how do i like control the network so that only the devices that i chose from can use the internet

    Reply

  5. Hi,

    another way to do it (CMD or PS):
    control netconnections

    Greetings Drew

    Reply

  6. Helpful tips, Thanks

    Reply

Leave a Comment

5 Ways to Open Network Connections from CMD and Windows 10 GUI • Wi-Fi Settings (2025)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Greg O'Connell

Last Updated:

Views: 5533

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg O'Connell

Birthday: 1992-01-10

Address: Suite 517 2436 Jefferey Pass, Shanitaside, UT 27519

Phone: +2614651609714

Job: Education Developer

Hobby: Cooking, Gambling, Pottery, Shooting, Baseball, Singing, Snowboarding

Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.