NCSwitch Professional Help

"NCSwitch" is a windows desktop application. It enables you to switch a set of various settings easily, quickly and precisely.
If you use a laptop computer in different place, you might feel sick of frequently changing each settings manually.(proxy settings, network drives, IP addresses, and so on)
Only one-click is required to switch these settings anytime by using NCSwitch.

"NCSwitch Professional" has all features of "NCSwitch". In addition to them, it has more features such as "NCSwitch Plugin", and "Command Line".

NCSwitch Professional has features below:

Ease of use

You can use NCSwitch easily.
In order to save your current networking settings, You should only select a few options in the wizard.
Restoring is easier than saving. Your only task is double clicking a shortcut on your desktop created by NCSwitch.

Supporting various setting items

Network settings consist of various items such as IP addresses, proxy servers, network drives, and so on.
NCSwitch supports these items. (Setting items supported by NCSwitch)

Indicating results of restoring processes in real time

While NCSwitch is restoring network settings, the status window shows you a restoring plan and indicates results of restoring processes in real time. It is so useful that you can rely on NCSwitch.

NCSwitch Plugin (own feature of NCSwitch Professional)

"NCSwitch Plugin" can be used to restore the setting items that NCSwitch built-in functions cannot restore. "NCSwitch Plugin" can be used for saving and restoring with the same operations as NCSwitch built-in items.

"Command Line" (own feature of NCSwitch Professional)

"Command line" feature allows you to restore settings from the command line. It is useful for special purpose. For example, calling from batch programs, embedding systems, and so on.

Requirements and Limitations

Requirements

NCSwitch Professional will work on Windows OS below:

Windows 7
Windows Vista
Windows XP
Windows 2000 Professional
Windows Server 2008
Windows Server 2003
Windows 2000 Server

Windows NT and Windows 95/98/Me are not supported.

Limitations

If you don't have administrator's privileges, you will fail to restore some settings needing such privileges. (Setting items supported by NCSwitch)

License

NCSwitch Professional needs purchasing and registering a license key. You can purchase a license key from http://spiralware.jp/.

You may use it without license key registration only for testing purpose.

Refer to "EULA.rtf" for more details of this license.

Allow no refund regardless of any reason after you have purchased it. Make sure this software give you no trouble on your PC before purchasing a license key.

How to Use

Saving current network settings

1. Confirming current settings

Ensure that your current network and application settings are not given you any trouble.

If your PC has several network interfaces (for instance, both wired LAN and wireless LAN), make sure that their status (enabled/disabled) are set properly. NCSwitch will restore their status (enabled/disabled) itself.
You have to install NCSwitch Plugins you want to use. (Installing NCSwitch Plugin)

2. Launching NCSwitch wizard

Click the [Start] button and select [Programs] > [NCSwitch Professional] > [NCSwitch Wizard]

3. Saving current network settings

Follow wizard instructions.
After you have saved your configurations, a shortcut created by NCSwitch will be on your desktop. You simply double click the shortcut anytime to restore your saved settings.

If your saved settings contains items needing administrator's privileges for restoring, you probably have to do additional tasks written in "Restoring with administrator's privileges".

Restoring network settings you have saved

1. Double clicking a shortcut

Double clicking the shortcut on your desktop created at "Saving current network settings".

2. Confirming results of restoring processes

While NCSwitch is restoring settings, the status window shows you a restoring plan and indicates results of restoring processes in real time.

If you have any trouble, "FAQ" might help you to resolve it.
Read "In case of having any trouble.." if you cannot resolve by yourself.

Installing NCSwitch Plugin

A following procedure should be done by an administrative user.

1. Downloading NCSwitch Plugin

Search for NCSwitch Plugins you want at http://spiralware.jp/ and others.
If you found, download it to your PC.

2. Decompressing NCSwitch Plugin (.zip file) downloaded.

Extract the zip file downloaded into the "plugins" directory that is located at the directory where NCSwitch Professional has been installed at (default: C:\Program Files\NCSwitch3).

3. Launching NCSwitch wizard

Click the [Start] button and select [Programs] > [NCSwitch Professional] > [NCSwitch Wizard]
Confirm "Setting items" page shows you NCSwitch Plugins that you have installed.

Deleting network settings you have saved

1. Launching NCSwitch wizard

Click the [Start] button and select [Programs] > [NCSwitch Professional] > [NCSwitch Wizard]

2. Selecting "Delete Setting" from context menu

Show "Select Network Settings" page. Next, right click the network setting you want to delete and select "Delete Setting" from context menu.

This operation will delete both "config.xml" file storing your configurations and corresponding shortcut on your desktop.

Restoring a shortcut on your desktop that has been deleted

1. Launching NCSwitch wizard

Click the [Start] button and select [Programs] > [NCSwitch Professional] > [NCSwitch Wizard]

2. Selecting "Create Desktop Shortcut" from context menu

Show "Select Network Settings" page. Next, right click the network setting whose shortcut is going to be created and select "Create Desktop Shortcut" from context menu.

Changing the directory network settings will be stored

1. Editing NCSwitch.ini

Add or modify a following entry into NCSwitch.ini that is located at the directory where NCSwitch Professional has been installed at (default: C:\Program Files\NCSwitch3).

ConfigRoot=(a directory path where network settings are stored at)

ex. ConfigRoot=C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Application Data\Spiralware\NCSwitch

By default, network settings are stored at the directory below:

Windows 7 / Vista C:\Users\[User]\AppData\Roaming\Spiralware\NCSwitch

Windows 2000 / XP C:\Documents and Settings\[User]\Application Data\Spiralware\NCSwitch
You may be unable to see Application Data (AppData) directory with Windows Explorer because this directory has a hidden attribute.
To see it, input full path into Run dialog ([Start] > [Run ...]).
If you have any trouble, error information may be written in [error.txt] located at the directory where network settings are stored. (In case of having any trouble..)

Windows 7 / Vista	C:\Users\[User]\AppData\Roaming\Spiralware\NCSwitch
Windows 2000 / XP	C:\Documents and Settings\[User]\Application Data\Spiralware\NCSwitch

Restoring network settings with administrator's privileges

You may fail to restore some network settings needing administrator's privileges in spite of following the procedure at "Restoring network settings you saved ". This trouble will occur because you have not logged on as an administrative user.
The following instructions allow you to restore network settings as an administrative user.

If your Windows OS is Vista and UAC is enabled, you have to do following instructions even though you have logged on as an administrative user.

1. Showing a properties page of the shortcut

Right click the shortcut on your desktop which is created at "Saving current network settings". Next, select "Properties.." from the context menu.

2. Configuring the property so that NCSwitch can be run as an administrative user

Windows 7 / Vista

Click [Advanced..] button and check [Run as administrator].
Windows XP

Click [Advanced..] button and check [Run with different credentials].
Windows 2000

Check [Run as different user].

Setting items supported by NCSwitch

Setting Item	Description
HOSTS/LMHOSTS	Restore entries in files below: hosts lmhosts This item needs administrator's privileges.
Network Interface(IPv4)	Restore network interface settings and RAS settings (dial-up, VPN, and PPPoE) below: Network interface status (Enabled/Disabled) or RAS connection status (Connected/Disconnected) IP settings (IP address, subnet mask, default gateway) DNS settings (DNS server, domain suffix, dns auto registration settings) WINS settings (WINS server, NetBIOS over TCP/IP) This item needs administrator's privileges.
Domain / Workgroup	Restore settings below: Computer name (DNS name, NetBIOS name) Domain/Workgroup settings This item needs rebooting your computer. This item needs administrator's privileges.
Shared Folder	Restore settings below: Shared folders Shared printers This item restores shared folders by not only adding or updating one but also deleting others. This item needs administrator's privileges.
Internet Properties	Internet Properties is used for connecting a network by Internet Explorer,Outlook Express, and so on. Restore settings below: LAN settings (auto detect, proxy server) Dial-up/VPN settings (connect/disconnect, default connection) Internet Explorer start page
Network drives	Restore settings below: Network drives into [My Computer] This item restores network drives by not only adding or updating one but also deleting others.
Printer	Restore settings below: Default printer This item doesn't restore printer specific settings (default paper size, and so on).
Desktop	Restore settings below: Wallpaper settings (imange file, placement) Screensaver settings (screensaver file, wait time)
Application	Launch selected applications after restoring network settings.

NCSwitch Plugin

"NCSwitch Plugin" is a program module that extends NCSwitch features. It enables to save and restore various setting items that aren't included in "Setting items supported by NCSwitch".

Following NCSwitch Plugins are bundled with NCSwitch Professional.

Following NCSwitch Plugins are already installed.

Firefox Network Settings	Switch homepage and proxy settings of Firefox
Thunderbird Network Settings	Switch default account and proxy settings of Thunderbird
Opera Network Settings	Switch homepage and proxy settings of Opera
Power Options	Switch active power scheme.
Start Menu:Internet and Mail (XP,Vista)	Switch program to launch with [Internet] or [Mail] on [Start] menu. (XP, Vista only)

Installing NCSwitch Plugin

Developing NCSwitch Plugin

Refer to " NCSwitch Plugin developer's manual" in order to develop NCSwitch Plugin.

Following NCSwitch Plugins are bundled with NCSwitch Professional.

Following NCSwitch Plugins are already installed.

Firefox Network Settings	Switch homepage and proxy settings of Firefox
Thunderbird Network Settings	Switch default account and proxy settings of Thunderbird
Opera Network Settings	Switch homepage and proxy settings of Opera
Power Options	Switch active power scheme.
Start Menu:Internet and Mail (XP,Vista)	Switch program to launch with [Internet] or [Mail] on [Start] menu. (XP, Vista only)

Command line

"Command line" feature allows you to restore settings from the command line.

Command Line

ncs_c.exe [config.xml path]
Arguments	[config.xml path] ･･･ Full path of config.xml which has been saved at "Saving current network settings" If path contains space characters, the full path should be covered with double quote (").
Return value	0 ･･･ Succeeded (Not require rebooting) Succeeded to restore whole setting items. (Not require rebooting) 1 ･･･ Succeeded (Require rebooting) Succeeded to restore whole setting items. (Some item will apply after rebooting) Others ･･･ Failed Failed to restore at least one setting item.
Comments	There is ncs_c.exe into the directory where NCSwitch Professional has been installed at (default: C:\Program Files\NCSwitch3).

Command line example

> "C:\Program Files\NCSwitch3\ncs_c.exe" "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Application Data\Spiralware\NCSwitch\Setting1\config.xml"

FAQ

You can see latest information from http://spiralware.jp/.

A log on prompt is shown whenever NCSwitch is restoring network drives.

Edit config.xml with notepad.exe or others if you don't want this behavior. Input user password as userPassword attribute value like that below:

I have a trouble restoring "Domain / Workgroup" settings.

You might not have privileges to join the domain.

This trouble may be occurred If you haven't logged on as a domain administrative user. (the "domain" is that you want to join) .
Edit config.xml with notepad.exe or others. Input domain administrative user account and password as userName and userPassword attributes value like that below:

I have a trouble restoring "network interface" settings.

DHCP Server might be unavailable.

This trouble may be occurred only if TCP/IP property page shows "Obtain IP address automatically".
You should ask a network administrator about this trouble.

You might set duplicated IP address.

This trouble may be occurred only if TCP/IP property page shows "Static IP address".
You should set unique IP address to your PC or the other PC.

I have an error message, "Not found [..\config.xml]", when I have double clicked the shortcut to restore network settings.

A configuration file won't be found.

This trouble may be occurred if you have moved config.xml to the other directory.
You should correct config.xml file path written in property page of the shortcut on your desktop.

I have an error message, "Invalid format [..\config.xml]", when I have double clicked the shortcut to restore network settings.

The configuration file will be invalid format.

This trouble may be occurred if you have edited config.xml manually. You should correct contents of config.xml.

In case of having any trouble..

If you find a bug, please tell us.
We are glad you to tell information below together (We use this information at trouble shooting purpose only ):

Version of Windows OS
Version of Internet Explorer
Entries of a network configuration file (config.xml) (ref.Changing where network settings are stored)
Entries of a error log file (error.txt) (ref.Changing where network settings are stored)

How to get support

You may contact us about bug reporting, suggestions, purchasing a license key, and comments about NCSwitch Professional.

Web Site: http://spiralware.jp/
Email: support@spiralware.jp

Authors and Contributors

Futoshi Tonosaki (Original Author)
NCSwitch developer's community (Contributor)

Release histories

The latest version of NCSwitch Professional can be found at http://spiralware.jp/.

Version	Changing
1.0.1	Add Windows 7 to NCSwitch target platforms. Fixed a bug ncswitch cannot restore default gateway settings. Fixed a bug ncswitch command line and GUI (a restoring window) return wrong code after restoring.
1.0.0	Product name was changed from "NCSwitch" to "NCSwitch Professional". (NCSwitch 3.1.2 ￫ NCSwitch Professional 1.0.0) "Command line" feature was added.