All Windows operating systems allow us to connect to different wired and wireless networks. In addition, manually adapting the configuration of one or the other network. For example, if with our laptop, we connect to different Wi-Fi networks, we will be able to configure different aspects such as private IP address, VPN connection and more. However, we will do this manually. On the other hand, there are programs that allow you to automate these actions. Consequently, we can activate different profiles to perform the configuration automatically. Consequently, today, we will see how to configure various network configuration profiles on your Windows PC.
Why do I need different network profiles?
It is very useful to have several network configuration profiles to adapt to the different networks to which we connect. Suppose you have a laptop that connects to both your home network and your work network. Consequently, the requirements and configuration of both networks will be different, so we can create two different network profiles: home and work.
This way, if we connect at home, we will be able to choose a specific profile so that we can configure a private IP address compatible with the subnet configured in the router. The same applies to DNS servers and other settings, such as Wi-Fi configuration. In the case of work, we could automatically activate the VPN connection. In addition to the possibility of sharing folders on the network, which we did not have configured before. Moreover, the possibility of sharing folders in network that before we did not have thus configured.
- IP address.
- Subnet mask.
- Default gateway.
- Primary and secondary DNS servers.
- VPN connection.
- Shared folders.
- Wi-Fi profiles if we connect wirelessly.
- Many more options, depending on the program.
To perform these functions, it is best to have a specific program for this purpose. Today there are several alternatives available, some are free with basic functions. Others are paid programs with more advanced versions. In this way, we will be able to configure every aspect of our network.
Some options for creating network profiles.
Next, we are going to show you some programs that will allow you to create basic or advanced profiles of your local network. Depending on what you need, you can choose one program or another.
Easy Net Switch
Easy Net Switch is a paid program that allows us to control in detail all the network profiles of our Windows operating system. It is one of the most complete programs that exist today. In addition, it is compatible with all Microsoft operating systems, from Windows XP to Windows 11. It even has a classic interface that is very reminiscent of Windows XP. This program allows a command line mode to execute commands through cmd for advanced users. It will also allow us to configure numerous aspects related to the network such as IP, subnet mask, default gateway, DNS servers. It is even possible to configure the profiles of the Wi-Fi, VPN, Proxy that we have in the company or home, and much more.
This program is available from its official website. On the other hand, the installer is very light. Moreover, the installation process is similar to any Windows program.
How it works
Once it is installed, we proceed to open the program. We can see a basic graphical user interface. All we have to do is click on New to create a new profile and follow the configuration wizard. Once created, we can edit it with the parameters we want. Each parameter is completely optional. In fact, we can configure only the IP addressing, and not configure the VPN, Proxy or Wi-Fi. However, we can also configure all this easily and quickly.
If we go to the Network section, we will be able to see that we have the possibility of configuring the IP addressing with the DNS. Furthermore, we can obtain the IP address through the DHCP server of the main router. We also have the possibility to click on the Advanced section and configure the WINS, NetBIOS, physical MAC address that we can change on demand. We also have additional options such as purge DNS cache resolving etc.
Network Profiles
If we want to create wireless Wi-Fi profiles, we will also be able to do so. Indeed, we simply indicate the SSID network name or scan the Wi-Fi networks around us to define a profile. Additionally, we can also configure it to use specific Wi-Fi options instead of using the auto-detection method of the operating system. In the Wi-Fi profile, we can not only define the network name SSID. In fact, we also manage the authentication related to PSK (Pre-Shared Key). Even the RADIUS, as it also supports all strong authentication protocols.
Other configuration options are related to the Proxy server at work. In case we need to authenticate to the Proxy to access the Internet, we can automate this authentication here. We also have the possibility of configuring the Dial-UP and the VPN of the operating system, all this from this program in a simple way.
The amount of configuration options offered by this program is really high. This allows us to automate the execution of the different network profiles. Regardless of which options you want to define, and we have many options. Below, we show you everything you can configure with this program:
- Network: IP addressing, DNS, WINS and more.
- Proxy.
- Default printer.
- Mapping of network drives.
- VPN configuration.
- Local network shared folders.
- Static routes on the computer
- Mail client
- Configure the Windows firewall in a specific way.
- Run certain scripts or commands
- Configure the hosts file of the computer.
- Configure ini files
- Define the time zone and time.
- Other options.
As you can see, Easy Net Switch is one of the most complete programs currently available. It is also one of the most recommended because it has a huge amount of configuration options available. Perhaps its only drawback is that it is not free.
TCP/IP Manager
On the other hand, TCP/IP Manager is completely free and open source. This program will allow us to create unlimited network profiles, we will be able to configure different IP addresses, masks, gateways, DNS servers, configure proxy options, the name of the workgroup. We can even configure the MAC address we want on the network card (performs MAC Spoofing). For more advanced users, this program allows you to configure batch files from network profiles. In addition, we will be able to import the current system configuration to apply it later and make it the same as what we have right now. In this way we have seen, how to configure various network configuration profiles on your Windows PC. Bye!
