NetSetMan is intended to manage network settings. In this respect, the tool lets you create various connection profiles and switch between them according to specific situations. The program’s interface has separate tabs for each profile, which makes it quite easy to navigate. When active, it remains hidden as an icon in the system tray, from which you can easily choose the required profile. Although I would not say the tool is difficult to use, it does require some technical knowledge about networks.
Each of the profiles you create needs to be configured to work with one of the available network LAN or wireless adapters. It is possible to use the default parameters, such as automatic IP addresses and DNS servers. However, you can also customize the connection by setting specific IP, gateway, route table, WINS server, SMTP, network drives, hosts, scripts, and IPv6. Luckily, you are allowed to create auto-switch rules, which can change the profile according to the specified conditions, including time frame, surrounding Wi-Fi network, adapter status, and network location.
Network profiles can be easily managed. Thus, you can rename and disable them. Likewise, they can be exported to a file and loaded when it is necessary. Additionally, the program provides a group of shortcuts to Windows locations, like Control Panel, sound volume, Windows Firewall and power plan. These can be accessed right from the program’s System Tray icon.
In general, NetSetMan can come in very handy when you usually connect to different networks (public, work, and home). It's being able to run in portable mode is an undeniable advantage, since you can use the program from a USB stick on different devices. The product is free to use for non-commercial purposes. However, you should know that its unpaid version has some limitations related to the maximum number of profiles as well as the impossibility to use a proxy server and join a network domain.
v5.0 [Dec 21, 2020]
- Fix: AutoSwitch thread error after standby.
- Fix: AutoSwitch options might have been hidden due to incorrect alignment.
- Fix: Systems with many WiFi profiles could lead to UI performance issues.
- Fix: Error deleting the last remaining profile group.
- Fix: Position of a new group might have been saved incorrectly.
- Fix: "Connect by MAC address" failed if no name/description was provided.
- Fix: TAB keyboard navigation order.
- Fix: Windows firewall status setting not applied correctly.
- Fix: Protocol Bindings for systems with multiple NICs using the same driver.
- Fix: High Contrast Mode support adjustments.
- Fix (Pro): License registration issues in rare constellations.
- Tools: Network Scanner now shows the device description/comment as a name tooltip.
- Performance improvements for selecting and viewing profiles.
- Improved AutoSwitch performance and compatibility.
- AutoSwitch NIC Status condition now also supports special types of VPN connections.
- WiFi Management remembers last selected NIC if multiple are available.
- Added shortcuts for Compact/Full Mode (CTRL M) and main sections (CTRL 1/2/3/4).
- In Logon mode, the Save button now saves the activation log in the Logs subfolder.
- Minor fixes and adjustments.
A program that lets you easily manage your laptop connections to WiMAX networks
