Windows Networking Tools
Tools for troubleshooting connections, analysing traffic, testing networks and managing remote systems.
Many useful network tools are already built into Windows, and you don't need to install anything for them. Start with the problem you're troubleshooting below. Only scan or capture traffic on networks you own or administer.
Part of the Network Engineer toolkit, which explains when you would use each tool.
What are you trying to do?
- Check if a device is reachable
→ ping / Test-NetConnection / PsPing
- Trace a connection
→ tracert / pathping / WinMTR
- Diagnose DNS
→ nslookup / Resolve-DnsName / ipconfig
- Analyse packets
→ Wireshark / TShark
- Discover devices and services on networks you administer
→ Nmap / Angry IP Scanner / Advanced IP Scanner
- Test bandwidth
→ iperf3
- Inspect active connections
→ netstat / Test-NetConnection / arp / route / Get-NetIPConfiguration / TCPView
- Remote access
→ ssh (OpenSSH client) / Remote Desktop Connection / PuTTY
- Secure file transfer
→ WinSCP / FileZilla
- Watch network activity over time
→ Resource Monitor / TCPView
Connectivity and ping
Check whether a computer or service responds, and how quickly.
- pingBuilt into Windows
Check whether a host or gateway is reachable and how long replies take.
Command Prompt or PowerShell:
ping example.comAll versions of WindowsMicrosoft documentation
- Test-NetConnectionBuilt into Windows
Test whether a specific TCP port on a host is reachable, with optional route tracing.
PowerShell:
Test-NetConnection example.com -Port 443Windows 10 and 11Microsoft documentation
Route analysis
Show each hop to a destination to find where delays or failures happen.
- tracertBuilt into Windows
Find where along the path a connection slows down or fails.
Command Prompt or PowerShell:
tracert example.comAll versions of WindowsMicrosoft documentation
- pathpingBuilt into Windows
Measure loss at each hop over a period of time.
Command Prompt or PowerShell:
pathping example.comAll versions of WindowsMicrosoft documentation
DNS
Check how names resolve to addresses, and query DNS records.
- nslookupBuilt into Windows
Check how a name resolves and which DNS server answers.
Command Prompt or PowerShell:
nslookup example.comAll versions of WindowsMicrosoft documentation
- Resolve-DnsNameBuilt into Windows
Query specific DNS record types from PowerShell.
PowerShell:
Resolve-DnsName example.com -Type MXWindows 10 and 11Microsoft documentation
- ipconfigBuilt into Windows
Check your IP address, gateway and DNS servers, renew a DHCP lease, or flush the DNS cache.
Command Prompt or PowerShell:
ipconfig /allAll versions of WindowsMicrosoft documentation
Packet analysis
Capture and examine network traffic in detail.
Network discovery
Find hosts and services for inventory and troubleshooting on networks you manage.
Bandwidth testing
Measure throughput between two machines you control.
Ports and connections
See which programs have which connections and ports open.
- netstatBuilt into Windows
See active connections and which ports are listening.
Command Prompt or PowerShell:
netstat -anoAll versions of WindowsMicrosoft documentation
- Test-NetConnectionBuilt into Windows
Test whether a specific TCP port on a host is reachable, with optional route tracing.
PowerShell:
Test-NetConnection example.com -Port 443Windows 10 and 11Microsoft documentation
- arpBuilt into Windows
Check IP-to-MAC address mappings on the local network.
Command Prompt or PowerShell:
arp -aAll versions of WindowsMicrosoft documentation
- routeBuilt into Windows
Check which gateway traffic uses for a network.
Command Prompt or PowerShell:
route printAll versions of WindowsMicrosoft documentation
- Get-NetIPConfigurationBuilt into Windows
See addresses, gateways and DNS servers for each network adapter.
PowerShell:
Get-NetIPConfigurationWindows 10 and 11Microsoft documentation
Remote access
Connect to servers and other computers securely.
- ssh (OpenSSH client)Built into Windows
Connect securely to servers and copy files with scp and sftp.
Command Prompt or PowerShell:
ssh user@serverWindows 10 and 11 (optional feature, installed by default on recent versions)Microsoft documentationAbout OpenSSH
- Remote Desktop ConnectionBuilt into Windows
Administer or use another Windows computer remotely.
Open:
mstscConnecting is available in all editions; hosting needs Pro, Enterprise or EducationMicrosoft documentation
File transfer
Copy files to and from servers over SFTP, SCP or FTP.
Network monitoring
Watch network activity over time.
- Resource MonitorBuilt into Windows
Find which process is using disk or network, and which files it's accessing.
Open:
resmonAll versions of Windows