DIY Networks - Windows XP Network Connections

Where to Configure your Network Connections in Windows XP

Configuring your network connection or connections within Windows XP is generally done in the Network Connections section of the Control Panel. In network connections you can edit the properties of your various network interfaces so that they can be configured to suit your network. Things like IP address, DHCP, joining wireless networks and more can be performed. For simplicity we have documented this seperately to avoid repetition throughout the rest of the site. Once you know where it is its easy to go back there and make whatever changes are required. Some computers are set to put an icon on the taskbar down by the time for your network interface and double left clicking on that is a fantastic way to get where you want to go fast!

There are a number of different views that can be applied to Windows XP, classic view makes the computer look more like earlier versions of windows and category view is the default Windows XP style. You can switch from one to the other as you wish to make your computer more comfortable to use. If your start menu is in classic view you may not find control panel on the first level and instead you may have settings. Highlight settings if this is the case and you will see control panel appear to the right. Getting to network connections is slightly different depending on which view is applied. Once in control panel on the top left you will see either switch to classic view or switch to category view and you can switch between them if you desire.

XP Control Panel in Classic View I personally much prefer classic view because the control panel icons are right there in front of you and its easy to get where you want to go. You can see the network connections icon third row down and second from the left. Click on the image above to enlarge it for a closer look. Simply double click on the network connections icon and your there.

XP Control Panel in Category View In Category the control panel will invite you to pick a category. Select Network and Internet Connections. Click on the above image to get an enlarged view. In Network and Internet Connections you will see the option to either Pick a Task or Pick a Control Panel Icon. Click on Network Connections below Pick a Control Panel Icon and your there.

Once inside Network Connections you will see a number of different icons, one for each interface or network connection on your computer. They may be divided into categories such as LAN or Hi Speed Internet connections. You can also see on the left hand pane a number of options including create a new connection, which is mainly used to create internet connections with dialup modems or PPPoE. You can double click or right click and select properties on your chosen connection to edit its properties.