Want quick information about your computer's wireless connection? Clicking the Wireless Network Connection icon in the Notification area of the Windows desktop taskbar opens a panel that shows the name of the current network. Passing the mouse cursor over the network's name displays a ScreenTip listing the signal strength, type of encryption security and other details. A link at the bottom of the panel opens the Network and Sharing control panel for wireless-network management and settings.
Taskbar icons may vary from computer to computer as some manufacturers have their own network-management utilities in the taskbar, like Lenovo's ThinkVantage Access Connections software, but the general Windows network settings are just a couple of clicks away from the Control Panel in the Start menu. The Network and Sharing control panel in most recent versions of Windows also has a link to a troubleshooting wizard for helping with network-connection problems.
On a Mac, you can see the type of security used, the wireless channel and other details by holding down the Option key on the keyboard and clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the Mac's menu bar. The information is displayed under the network name.
The menu also contains a shortcut to the OS X Network Preferences for settings and help assistants. In recent versions of OS X, holding down the Option key while clicking the Wi-Fi icon also reveals the Mac's Wi-Fi Diagnostics program for additional troubleshooting.
