How to Get Classic XP Styled “Network Connections” Back in Control Panel Under Windows Vista and 7?

If you are using Windows Vista or 7, you must be missing the good old Classic XP styled "Network Connections" list. In Windows XP, you can access all your network connections quickly and easily using "Network Connections" item in Control Panel but Windows Vista and 7 don't show the connections list in such way.

Actually in Windows Vista and 7, "Network Connections" has been replaced by "Network and Sharing Center" which is very complicated compared to XP IMO.

No need to worry, now you can get the classic "Network Connections" back in Vista and 7 Control Panel using this simple tutorial.

This tutorial will use the same trick mentioned in following tutorial:

Enable Hidden Secret Control Panel Items in Windows Vista and 7

So here we start the tutorial:

1. Type regedit in RUN or Startmenu Search box and press Enter. It'll open Registry Editor.

2. Now go to following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Control Panel\don't load

3. The above mentioned key will contain some .CPL entries in right-side pane as shown in following screenshot:

4. Delete the "ncpa.cpl" String value from right-side pane and "Network Connections" will get enabled in Control Panel.

NOTE: Windows Vista allows you to delete the registry value but Windows 7 will not allow you. You'll need to take permission on the key before deleting it. You can use following simple steps to take permission:

[Guide] How to Take Ownership (Permission) of a Registry Key in Windows?

Now you'll be able to delete "ncpa.cpl" String value in Windows 7 as well.

Other similar articles that may interest you:

• Enable Hidden Secret Control Panel Items in Windows Vista and 7
• Add “Show / Hide Checkbox” to Select Items Option in Desktop and Explorer Context Menu under Windows Vista and 7
• Create Simple Script to Show / Hide Checkbox to Select Items in Windows Vista and 7
• AeroBar: Free Portable Utility to Show Titlebar Text in Windows Vista and 7 Explorer
• Create Simple Script to Show / Hide File Extensions in Windows XP, Vista and 7
• Create Simple Script to Show / Hide Hidden Files and Folders in Windows XP, Vista and 7

This article was posted by VG in following section: Windows 7, Windows Vista.

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