Vista Tutorial - Creating a shortcut to a VPN connection

Could anyone tell me how to create a shortcut to a VPN connection in MS
Vista? I would like to add this shortcut to my startup folder so that the
VPN automatically connects without having to manually start it? In XP this
was simple, doesn't appear to be as simple in Vista. Thank you.

"RMcCabe" <RMcCabe@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:17D8EFBA-786A-4DB4-BFE0-4B8EE1A6C9E6@microsoft.com...
> Could anyone tell me how to create a shortcut to a VPN connection in MS
> Vista? I would like to add this shortcut to my startup folder so that the
> VPN automatically connects without having to manually start it? In XP
> this
> was simple, doesn't appear to be as simple in Vista. Thank you.

You might look at the rasdial command and add it to a small batch file you
can use to auto connect. Go to "Start -> Run" and type cmd at the command
line. At the command prompt type 'rasdial /?' for the exact command
syntax...

--

Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...

Thank you "Sooner Al" - I tried your directions but i'm not technical so it
all looked greek to me. In XP I was able to create shortcut then copy/paste
the shortcut in the starup folder, I was hoping for something along those
lines? Not sure if it's possible under Vista? Any other suggestions? Is
there a location where the specific VPN connection is stored on the file
system that I could create a shortcut to?

Thank you.

"Sooner Al [MVP]" wrote:

> "RMcCabe" <RMcCabe@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:17D8EFBA-786A-4DB4-BFE0-4B8EE1A6C9E6@microsoft.com...
> > Could anyone tell me how to create a shortcut to a VPN connection in MS
> > Vista? I would like to add this shortcut to my startup folder so that the
> > VPN automatically connects without having to manually start it? In XP
> > this
> > was simple, doesn't appear to be as simple in Vista. Thank you.
>
> You might look at the rasdial command and add it to a small batch file you
> can use to auto connect. Go to "Start -> Run" and type cmd at the command
> line. At the command prompt type 'rasdial /?' for the exact command
> syntax...
>
> --
>
> Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)
>
> Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
> mutual benefit of all of us...
> The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> rights...
>
>

The behavior is almost identical to previous Windows versions - but it's not intuitive how to find the right control panel applet.

In Control Panel, click "View Network Status and Tasks" ("Network and Sharing Center" under Classic view). Then, on the left bar, click "Manage network connections".

This is the interface you were referring to where you can create right click on a connection and choose "Create Shortcut". From there, you can obviously drag that connection to your startup folder.

Now, the feature I miss is the ability to expand the "Network Connections". In my line of work, I have multiple VPN networks I potentially connect to so that was really handy. You can still get that feature using the classic start menu - but the rest of my work I prefer the fancy new start menu.

Jeremy

EggHeadCafe.com - .NET Developer Portal of Choice
http://www.eggheadcafe.com

In the Network & Sharing Center, click "Network Connections". This should
show you a list of network connections on your computer, both physical
interfaces and configured VPNs. Drag the connection you want to a folder
and it will create a shortcut for you.

"RMcCabe" <RMcCabe@discussions.microsoft.com> a écrit dans le message de
news:17D8EFBA-786A-4DB4-BFE0-4B8EE1A6C9E6@microsoft.com...
> Could anyone tell me how to create a shortcut to a VPN connection in MS
> Vista? I would like to add this shortcut to my startup folder so that the
> VPN automatically connects without having to manually start it? In XP
> this
> was simple, doesn't appear to be as simple in Vista. Thank you.

Try creating a folder in your Start Menu with shortcuts to your VPN
connections, perhaps?

"tyrven" a écrit dans le message de news:2007319131538jeremy@ignia.com...
> The behavior is almost identical to previous Windows versions - but it's
> not intuitive how to find the right control panel applet.
>
> In Control Panel, click "View Network Status and Tasks" ("Network and
> Sharing Center" under Classic view). Then, on the left bar, click "Manage
> network connections".
>
> This is the interface you were referring to where you can create right
> click on a connection and choose "Create Shortcut". From there, you can
> obviously drag that connection to your startup folder.
>
> Now, the feature I miss is the ability to expand the "Network
> Connections". In my line of work, I have multiple VPN networks I
> potentially connect to so that was really handy. You can still get that
> feature using the classic start menu - but the rest of my work I prefer
> the fancy new start menu.
>
> Jeremy
>
> EggHeadCafe.com - .NET Developer Portal of Choice
> http://www.eggheadcafe.com