FAQ | NetTools

How do I install NetTools?

There is no installation required to run NetTools, it is a standalone executable that can be run from any location, and it can also be run from a read-only drive. See Running NetTools for information.

There are loads of options where to start?

NetTools has many different tests, which can make it a little confusing where to start, see the NetTools Basics post for more information.

Are there any dependencies to run NetTools?

No, NetTools is a self-contained standalone Windows x86 executable with no external components or DLLs It uses a single ini file called NetTools.ini to store the predefined queries and user-saved settings; however, NetTools will still run even if the ini file is missing.

How much does NetTools cost?

Nothing, NetTools is freeware.

Do I need a license to run NetTools as part of my job?

Nope, you can use NetTools for any use, including for your job.

Are there any restrictions to running NetTools at home, work or across multiple sites?

Nope, NetTools is license free and can be used at any number of sites or organisations.

How do I use different credentials to connect to the AD?

By default, the credentials of the current user running NetTools will be used. However, different credentials can be specified using Connection Profiles. See Connection Profiles for more information.

How do I connect to different LDAP Servers

By default, NetTools will connect to the AD to which the machine running NetTools is joined. However, if you which to connect to a different server, domain, forest, or LDAP server, then the Connection Profiles option is used to define the server details, credentials and other settings. See Connection Profiles for more information.

Can I connect to non-Microsoft LDAP Servers?

NetTools is primarily designed to be used with Active Directory or LDS, and most of the options are specifically written to interrogate, display and troubleshoot AD\LDS functionality. NetTools does include several LDAP focused options, including LDAP Search and LDAP Browser. These options should work with non-Microsoft LDAP Servers; as they use the native LDAP API, you may need to turn off the paged server-side control and change the authentication method to one supported by the target LDAP server.

Where are my settings saved?

If you save any settings in NetTools, these settings are saved to the NetTools.ini file. If the ini file doesn't exist, it will be created automatically when a setting is saved. The file will be created in the same directory that NetTools is run from.

Does NetTools collect or share any information about me or my environment?

No, NetTools doesn't record any information at all. The only automatic external connection that NetTools will make is during the start-up to check if a later version of NetTools is available. This check can be disabled by adding the /X parameter to the command line that starts NetTools, or adding VersionCheck=false under the [SavedOptions] section in the configuration file.

What warranty is offered with NetTools?

I do not warrant this software to be fit for any purpose, and I cannot be held accountable for any form of data loss resulting from using this program; you use it at your own risk.

Does NetTools support Unicode?

NetTools uses the ANSI version of the LDAP API calls, which means there is some limitation on the supported Unicode characters. By default, NetTools will display any characters included in the current code page. NetTools v1.31.1 and later adds additional support for Unicode characters in the DN by using #hexstring notation for the DN as defined in RFC 2253 i.e. CN=#04044761C48D,DC=w2k12,DC=local.