Networking in Windows 7 builds upon the drastic remodeling that occurred in Windows Vista. However, although some of the basic networking features in Windows 7 are similar to those in Windows Vista, many networking features have been improved in Microsoft's latest operating system. And, if you are moving up from Windows XP, you will find that Windows 7's network interface is a completely different animal than you've encountered before. Whether you're moving up from Windows Vista or Windows XP, keep reading to learn what's new and better in the main building blocks of Windows 7 networking.

Connecting to Wireless Networks

Windows 7 continues the automatic wireless network detection feature introduced in Windows XP and refined in Windows Vista. When one or more wireless networks are detected but you are not connected to any of them, the familiar five-bar icon appears in the notification area along with a starburst overlay. Click the icon to display a list of wireless networks. Unsecured networks are marked with the Windows security shield. Click a network to connect to it.

Connecting to an Unsecured Network

When you select an unsecured network, a warning message appears. If you want to connect automatically, click the checkbox. Click Connect to complete the connection.

On the next dialog, click Public Network to configure the Windows firewall to block access to your shared folders and resources.

 

Dealing with Login Requirements

Some locations with unsecured wireless access might require you to log in to the service provider's website and agree to terms of service before you can use the connection. Windows 7 prompts you if this is necessary. Click the prompt to open the browser and provide the necessary information.

Connecting to a Secured Network

When you connect to a secured network, all you need to do is enter the network security key (passphrase). You don't need to specify the encryption type (WEP, WPA, or WPA2) as with Windows XP.

Working with the Network Folder

The Network folder can be opened from the Start menu when this option is enabled in Start menu configuration or by clicking Network from any Explorer window. It displays the computers on the network and provides links to Network and Sharing Center (an improved version of Windows Vista's Network and Sharing Center), Add a Printer, and Add a Wireless Device. To view shared resources on a listed computer, double-click the computer icon.

Installing a Network Printer

To install a network printer, click the Add a Printer link in the Network folder. Select Add a Network, Wireless, or Bluetooth Printer when prompted, and click Next. Select the printer from the list of shared printers, and click Next.

If a printer driver suitable for use with Windows 7 is available, the printer is installed. If not, Windows uses Windows Update to search for a driver online. If Windows Update cannot locate a driver, download and install the driver manually. If a Windows 7 driver is not available, use a Windows Vista driver. Before canceling the Add Printer task, note the address of the network printer, as you might need to browse to it if you perform a manual printer installation.

Network and Sharing Center

The Network and Sharing Center, originally introduced in Windows Vista, has been streamlined in Windows 7. You can start it from a link in the Network folder, or from the Network category in Control Panel. As with Windows Vista, the top of the window provides a graphical representation of the connection.

Below the connection diagram, Network and Sharing Center displays the connection type and status. Windows 7 uses Home, Work, and Public to identify the network type instead of the Private and Public terms used by Windows Vista. Here's how a PC connected to a home network via HomeGroup and a PC connected to a work network display their configurations in Network and Sharing Center:

The bottom of the Windows 7 Network and Sharing Center provides links you can use to set up a new connection or network, connect to an existing network, set up a HomeGroup or manual resource sharing, and troubleshoot network problems. This is a cleaner interface than that used by Windows Vista, which listed all of the network options you could choose from, whether you needed to use them or not.