How to Create a Show Available Networks shortcut in Windows 10

information   Information
The Networks flyout shows you a list of networks (ex: wireless and/or Ethernet) available to connect to from your PC, and any network you may be currently connected to. The flyout also includes a link to open Network & Internet settings, and quick actions to toggle on or off actions such as Wi-Fi, Airplane mode, and Mobile hotspot.

Normally you could click/tap on the Network system icon on the taskbar notification area to show available networks, but you could also use a shortcut.

This tutorial will show you how to create or download a Show Available Networks shortcut that opens directly to the Networks flyout in Windows 10.


CONTENTS:
  • Option One: To Download an Available Networks Shortcut
  • Option Two: To Manually Create an Available Networks Shortcut


EXAMPLE: Available Networks
Create Available Networks shortcut in Windows 10-available_networks.jpg





OPTION ONE

To Download an Available Networks Shortcut


1. Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .zip file below.

Available_Networks_shortcut.zip

Download

2. Save the .zip file to your desktop.

3. Unblock the .zip file..

4. Open the .zip file, and extract (drag and drop) the shortcut to your desktop.

5. If you like, you can Pin to Taskbar, Pin to Start, add to All apps, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.

6. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .zip file if you like.





OPTION TWO

To Manually Create an Available Networks Shortcut


1. Right click or press and hold on an empty area on your desktop, and click/tap on New and Shortcut.

2. Copy and paste the location below into the location area, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

%windir%\explorer.exe ms-availablenetworks:

Create Available Networks shortcut in Windows 10-shortcut-1.jpg

3. Type Available Networks for the name, and click/tap on the Finish button. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You could name this shortcut anything you would like though.

Create Available Networks shortcut in Windows 10-shortcut-2.jpg

4. Right click or press and hold on the new Available Networks shortcut, and click/tap on Properties.

5. Click/tap on the Shortcut tab, then click/tap on the Change Icon button. (see screenshot below)

Create Available Networks shortcut in Windows 10-shortcut-3.jpg

6. In the line under "Look for icons in this file", copy and paste the location below, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

%SystemRoot%\System32\taskbarcpl.dll

Create Available Networks shortcut in Windows 10-shortcut-4.jpg

7. Select the icon highlighted in blue above, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: You could use any icon that you would like instead though.

8. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Create Available Networks shortcut in Windows 10-shortcut-5.jpg

9. If you like, you can Pin to Taskbar, Pin to Start, add to All apps, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.


That's it,
Shawn


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