Different ways to access windows network and IP windows easily ( To change proxy settings quickly )
Simplify access to Windows IP settings
Network administrators and tech support professionals have done it hundreds of times: configuring Windows IP settings. When a client machine needs static IP parameters, we follow the familiar path of Control Panel -> Network and Sharing Center -> Change Adapter Settings -> right-click the network interface, choose Properties -> highlight ‘Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)’ -> select ‘Use the following IP address’ and ‘Use the following DNS server addresses’. For Windows XP the slightly different procedure is Control Panel -> Network Connections -> right-click the network interface, choose Properties -> highlight ‘Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)’ -> select ‘Use the following IP address’ and ‘Use the following DNS server addresses’. To revert back to DHCP functionality, you would select ‘Obtain an IP address automatically’ and ‘Obtain DNS server address automatically’.
This process and the ‘Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)’ graphical interface (below) are cumbersome and time-consuming.
Windows IP settings interface
For those who frequently change their network configuration (such as information security professionals conducting vulnerability assessments and penetration tests, or individuals who work in multiple locations), there are several utilities available that simplify the process. Rather than go through the steps above to change IP settings, you can just launch a program, enter in your desired settings, and click ‘Save’ or its equivalent. Instead of describing them individually in multiple blog posts, I will present them all here in no particular order.
Jump to:
- Free IP Switcher
- Fast IP Changer
- IP Change Easy Free
- NetChanger
- IP Changer King
- TCP/IP Manager
- IP Changer
- Recommended reading
1. Free IP Switcher
Free IP Switcher by Eusing Software switches between preconfigured network settings with a single click. With Free IP Switcher you can automatically change all network settings on your Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/7 computer, such as IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, DNS server, proxy settings, default printer and more. The interface contains several tabs that let you edit and save your network settings. To apply these settings you just click ‘Activate’.
The Free IP Switcher v2.5 user interface
By default Free IP Switcher comes with five tabs (for five individual IP setting groups). To add more, just click Edit -> Add New Set or click the ‘Add New Set’ button. To have Free IP Switcher start when Windows boots up, select the ‘Auto start when Windows starts’ option in File -> Settings. After Free IP Switcher is launched, it runs in the system tray for easy access.
2. Fast IP Changer
Fast IP Changer works in a very similar manner to Free IP Switcher, however Fast IP Changer does not need to be installed. You simply launch IPChangerv1.x.exe to use the program.
Fast IP Changer v1.7 interface
Unlike Free IP Switcher, Fast IP Changer is not capable of letting you specify proxy server, computer name, and workgroup name settings. Fast IP Changer is also available on SourceForge.
3. IP Change Easy Free
IP Change Easy Free from JMCN Soft is available as shareware from JMCN Soft’s website or as a less functional freeware version from Download.com. In order for IP Change Easy Free to run properly, I had to to right-click the program shortcut and choose ‘Run as administrator’ otherwise IP Change Easy Free could not access the names of the adapters on my laptop (‘Failed to get name’ was displayed instead of Local Area Connection, Local Arean Connection 2, etc.)
IP Change Easy Free seems to be the least robust of all the tools reviewed here. Compared to the others, it mainly serves as a quick shortcut to the ‘Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)’ interface shown above. More screenshots are available here.
IP Change Easy Free v1.0 user interface
4. NetChanger
NetChanger by TyxSoft is another utility that should be run with elevated privileges (either right-click the shortcut and choose ‘Run as administrator’ or choose Properties, Compatibility, ‘Run this program with administrative privileges’).
NetChanger is distributed as shareware and in unregistered mode it will only allow you to save two configurations for your network adapters.
The NetChanger v2.34 main user interface
The NetChanger v2.34 interface for new configurations
NetChanger v2.34 options
A more detailed NetChanger user guide is available here.
5. IP Changer King
IP Changer King is distributed as shareware (a 15 day free trial with all features enabled). Although IP Changer King seems to be a more robust tool, its interface left me confused as it is not at all intuitive.
The IP Changer King v2011.03.03 main interface
The IP Changer King v2011.03.03 options with neverending horizontal scroll feature
6. TCP/IP Manager
TCP/IP Manager seems to be the utility I was looking for. It sports a neat and clean interface that is easy to figure out. You create an IP setting profile, name it, and then apply it to one of your network interfaces. You can also specify proxy server settings.
TCP/IP Manager v3.1.4 user interface
TCP/IP Manager v3.1.4 options screen
TCP/IP Manager is free open source software (FOSS) available from SourceForge.
7. IP Changer
IP Changer by GT Delphi Components (currently offline; out of business?) is one of the most popular items in Download.com’s Networking Toolscategory. IP Changer lets you create a custom IP configuration (called an ‘IP Set’) which you can then apply to one of your network interfaces.
The IP Changer v3.0.15.142 main interface showing the active connection
Creating a new IP set in IP Changer v3.0.15.142
After you create an IP set, it appears in the ‘Available IP Sets’ tab. You then select it and click ‘Activate IP Set’ to make it active for the interface you specified when you created the set.
OUT OF THIS, MY FAVOURITE 5 ARE GIVEN BELOW :
1. TCP/IP Manager
TCP/IP Manager has a good mix of the ability to easily save network settings into a series of profiles and enough features and functions to cater for most users. The program is open source and available in both setup installer and portable versions. Make sure to get the correct 32-bit or 64-bit version for your system.
After launching the program click Create a new profile and give it a name. Choose a network adapter from the drop down and configure the IP address, subnet, gateway and DNS servers. Automatic options are also available like in Windows. Optionally go to the Profile settings tab and choose to show the profile in the tray menu and give it a keyboard shortcut so you can launch the profile by a key combination. Finally click Save current profile. When you want to launch a profile click Apply in the window, press the hotkey combination or select from the tray icon context menu.
Proxy servers can be configured from the corresponding tab, advanced settings include changing the computer name, changing the workgroup name and possibly a unique feature of allowing MAC spoofing on the network adapter. TCP/IP Manager was quite reasonable on memory usage consuming around 4MB while sitting in the tray.
2. IP Shifter
If you just want a nice and simple network connection changer, IP Shifter is relatively easy to use and doesn’t require tons of knowledge to configure. It also has a portable version so installation isn’t necessary either.
Start the program, click the button to create a new profile and give it a name. The standard options allow you to select the network adapter from the drop down and then obtain an automatic or manual IP address and DNS server. This window is similar to the Windows Internet Protocol 4 Properties dialog and has boxes for IP address, subnet mask, gateway and DNS servers. Proxies for Internet Explorer and Firefox can be setup by clicking on Settings and the check box near the bottom.
Once all the profiles are setup you can switch between them by selecting and clicking Apply in the main window or minimize the program to the tray and right click on the tray icon. IP Shifter used around 3MB of memory while in the tray. A couple of useful extras are in the Tools menu to Ping an address, scan the LAN for computers and obtain your public IP address.
3. NetSetMan
In contrast to IP Shifter, NetSetMan is loaded with tons of options and may be a bit too much for the average user. For geeks and advanced users though, it’s one of the most feature rich network profiling tools around. Only a setup installer is available but it can create a portable version because the program can be extracted to the folder of your choice.
Most of the settings can be left alone if you only want a simple IP and DNS changer. Choose a renamable SET tab to edit the profile and enter enter the IP, gateway and DNS information or leave what you don’t need on automatic. Use the Activate button or the tray context menu to choose between them. The IP+ button takes you to an advanced settings window where extra functions such as routing tables, DNS suffixes and expert settings like running Windows ipconfig commands are available.
Other more advanced networking options like a built in WiFi connection manager, computer name and workgroup changer, create network drives, append to the HOSTS file and a dedicated IPv6 settings window could all prove useful. Other options like changing the default printer, changing dozens of system settings or running a script/program are nice additions but not strictly necessary. NetSetMan uses around 8MB of memory in the background. The free personal use only version cannot change proxies, browser home pages and network domains.
4. Net Profiles Mod
This is a modified and forked version of the discontinued Net Profiles tool which has not been updated since 2011. Luckily this open source modded version is still in active development so there’s a fair chance bugs and issues will be fixed in future.
Setting up a new profile is easy and for basic usage you only have to give it a name, select a network (if there are multiple) and enter the IP and DNS details manually if required. Use the Get Current Settings button to create a profile of your current network configuration. Additional options include proxies, default browser homepage, mapped drives, default printer, running an application, desktop resolution/wallpaper and connection to a specific SSID. File > Create Desktop Shortcut allows launching a profile via shortcut without having the program running in the background.
There are a couple of issues we had with Net Profiles Mod. Firstly, our WiFi adapter was not recognized unless it was connected to a wireless network. Secondly, you cannot obtain an IP address automatically through DHCP and set the DNS servers manually, or vice versa. This is easily possible through Windows and a drawback if you want to change the DNS but leave the IP alone.
5. Argon Network Switcher
Argon Network Switcher is a middle of the road type of tool in terms of features. It has enough to satisfy all but the most advanced users but not too many to confuse people.
Usage is similar to the other tools here. Click New to create a new profile, enter a name, select the network adapter and then enter the IP, subnet, gateway and DNS addresses. Click Save to add the profile. Additional options include assigning a specific WiFi SSID, proxy settings, map a drive, set the default printer, start and stop system services, run scripts and applications and also disabling a specific network adapter on running the profile. An interesting feature is Autorun which leaves it up to the program to determine the best profile to launch.
We did notice a couple of bugs during usage. One was the WiFi SSID profiles are not displayed for everyone so you can’t associate a wireless SSID with the network profile. Another was using the Test button in the Drive Map tab freezes the program. However, mounting and unmounting networked drives does work fine. Network Switcher consumes about 10-15MB of RAM when minimized to the tray.
Download Argon Network Switcher
Read More: https://www.raymond.cc/blog/manage-multiple-network-connections-tcpip-manager/
