Network shell (Netsh) is a tool an administrator can use to configure and monitor network devices on Windows based computers at a command prompt. A common use of Netsh, is to reset the TCP/IP stack back to default settings.
But not only will Netsh reset the TCP/IP stack, but it can also completely reset your network adapter(s). It will reset the Windows Firewall in Windows 7 too.
Using Netsh in Windows 7
To use Netsh, you will need to open a Command Prompt as an administrator. There are two ways to do this:
- Click the Start button, then All Programs, then Accessories, then right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
or
- Click the Start button. In the search box, type Command Prompt, and then, in the list of results, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Netsh commands in Windows 7
The following is a list of the Netsh commands you can use to reset your Windows 7 network adapter:
Restores the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security policy to the default policy. The current active policy can be optionally exported to a specified file. This command returns all settings to not configured and deletes all connection security and firewall rules in a Group Policy object.netsh advfirewall reset
Resets the BranchCache service. Flushes the local cache. Every configuration parameter of BranchCache will be reset to its default value.netsh branchcache reset
Resets TCP/IP and related components to a clean state.netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt
Resets IPv6 configuration state.netsh int ipv6 reset
Resets Winsock Catalog to a clean state. All Winsock Layered Service Providers which were previously installed must be reinstalled. This command does not affect Winsock Name Space Provider entries.netsh winsock reset