The ncpa.cpl command opens the classic Network Connections window, where you can enable, disable or rename each network adapter and set its IP and DNS properties. Press Windows logo key + R, type ncpa.cpl and select OK. To see your current IP address, gateway and DNS servers instead, run ipconfig /all in Command Prompt.
Both tools work the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10. Neither tells you which program is using the network, which is where Port Detective comes in at the end.
What is ncpa.cpl?
ncpa.cpl is the Control Panel file behind the Network Connections folder. Microsoft’s own troubleshooting articles use it as the quickest route there, for example “Press Win+R to open the Run window, type ncpa.cpl, and then click OK” in its guide to disconnecting an incoming VPN connection.
Network Connections shows one icon per adapter: Ethernet, Wi-Fi, VPN and virtual adapters from tools such as Hyper-V, Docker or VPN clients. Right-click an icon to:
- Disable or enable the adapter.
- Check its Status.
- Rename it.
- Open Properties to change IP, DNS and protocol settings.
Microsoft also documents an equivalent command: control.exe netconnections “displays the Network Connections folder”, according to its list of Control Panel commands.
How do I open Network Connections in Windows 11 and 10?
| Method | How | Windows 11 | Windows 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Run box | Win+R, type ncpa.cpl, OK | Yes | Yes |
| Control command | control.exe netconnections in Run or Command Prompt | Yes | Yes |
| Settings app | Right-click the Network icon on the taskbar > Network and internet settings | Yes | Yes |
The Settings app is Microsoft’s modern route for most tasks. Its essential network settings page covers checking and changing your IP address there. Network Connections is still the fastest way to see every adapter at once, including virtual ones.
How do I set a static IP or DNS from Network Connections?
Microsoft’s Change IP address of a network adapter article describes the Properties dialog:
- Open Network Connections (
ncpa.cpl). - Right-click the adapter and select Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and select Properties.
- Choose Use the following IP address, then fill in IP address, Subnet mask and Default gateway.
- Fill in Preferred DNS server and, optionally, Alternate DNS server.
- Select OK, then Close.
To go back to automatic settings, choose Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically. The IP address must be unique on your network, so ask whoever runs the network which addresses are free. Changing adapter settings needs administrator rights.
The Settings route (Windows 11 and 10): go to Settings > Network & internet, select Wi-Fi > Manage known networks and your network (or Ethernet and your network), and next to IP assignment select Edit. Choose Automatic (DHCP) or Manual, fill in the IPv4 fields (IP address, subnet mask, gateway, preferred and alternate DNS), then select Save. Microsoft notes that DNS over HTTPS settings are not available in Windows 10.
How do I check my IP address with ipconfig?
Open Command Prompt and run:
ipconfig /allMicrosoft’s ipconfig reference says /all “displays the full TCP/IP configuration for all adapters”, physical or logical. Plain ipconfig shows a shorter view with the IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, subnet mask and default gateway for each adapter.
The lines that answer most questions:
| Line | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| IPv4 Address | Your PC’s address on the local network |
| Subnet Mask | Which addresses are on the same network |
| Default Gateway | Usually your router’s address |
| DHCP Enabled | Yes means the address was assigned automatically |
| DNS Servers | Where your PC sends name lookups |
| Physical Address | The adapter’s MAC address |
If your IPv4 address starts with 169.254, Microsoft’s Wi-Fi troubleshooting page explains that your PC did not get an address from the router.
Which ipconfig commands fix common problems?
| Command | What it does (per Microsoft) | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
ipconfig /release | Releases the current DHCP configuration and discards the IP address | Before renewing a stuck address |
ipconfig /renew | Renews DHCP configuration (only for adapters set to obtain an address automatically) | After changing routers or networks |
ipconfig /flushdns | Flushes and resets the DNS client resolver cache | A site moved servers or a name resolves wrongly |
ipconfig /displaydns | Shows the DNS resolver cache | Checking what Windows has cached |
To target one adapter, add its name, in quotes if it contains spaces. Microsoft’s Wi-Fi troubleshooting steps run release, renew and flushdns from an administrator Command Prompt, so open one first (see how to run CMD as administrator). If these do not help, the same page describes Network reset: in Windows 11 it is under Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
Can I do this in PowerShell?
Yes. The networking cmdlets return objects you can filter:
Get-NetIPConfigurationgets IP network configuration; add-Detailedfor more.Get-NetAdapterlists adapters with their status and link speed.Clear-DnsClientCacheclears the DNS client cache, likeipconfig /flushdns.
Which app is using the network on my PC?
ipconfig and Network Connections describe adapters: addresses, gateways and DNS. They do not show which program has a port open or which process is talking to a remote server. For that you need a connection view.
The built-in way is netstat -ano, which lists connections with the owning PID; our netstat guide for developers explains the columns. If you are chasing a local server that will not answer, see localhost refused to connect. To test a port on another machine, see how to check if a port is open on a remote server, and if you are wondering what all the listening ports on a clean PC are, see Windows default listening ports explained.
For a live view, the free edition of Port Detective tracks every active TCP and UDP connection and lets you type a port number to see the process name, PID and connection state, according to its Store listing. It does not change adapter, IP or DNS settings. For a one-off check, netstat -ano is enough, and our list of TCPView and CurrPorts alternatives covers other free viewers.
See which program owns each TCP and UDP port on your PC in a live table.
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Frequently asked questions
What is ncpa.cpl used for?
It opens the Network Connections window, where you manage network adapters: enable or disable them, check status, rename them and set IP and DNS properties.
What does ncpa.cpl stand for?
Microsoft does not document an expansion. .cpl is the extension for Control Panel items, and this one opens Network Connections. Microsoft’s documented alternative command is control.exe netconnections.
How do I list all network devices in cmd?
Run ipconfig /all to list every adapter with its configuration. In PowerShell, Get-NetAdapter lists adapters with their status.
Why does ncpa.cpl show a blank window?
Community answers on Microsoft Q&A point to restarting the PC and updating or reinstalling network drivers. In Windows 11, Device Manager under Network adapters shows each adapter and lets you enable a disabled one.
Does ipconfig /flushdns need admin?
Microsoft’s ipconfig reference does not say it requires elevation, but Microsoft’s own Wi-Fi troubleshooting steps run it from an administrator Command Prompt. If you see an access error, use an elevated prompt.
Try Port Detective
Port Detective Free is in the Microsoft Store for live port and process lookup. Port Detective Pro, an optional one-time upgrade in the Microsoft Store, adds tools such as Port Guard alerts and compliance exports. More detail is on the Port Detective product page.
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Last updated 23 October 2026. Published by Automata Labs, a software company in Canada.