Enable Wake-on-Lan Windows 10

Wake-on-Lan isn’t a phrase everyone recognizes immediately. It’s probably something you learn about only out of necessity. Gamers, for example, are familiar with the benefits of LAN connections. But there’s more to this feature than you’d expect.

What is Wake-on-Lan anyway? And how can it be useful for an average person? Well, Wake-on-Lan is what you’d call a network standard. It allows your computer to be turned on remotely. This feature has been around for a long time and isn’t going anywhere. But do you know how to enable it in Windows 10?

Wake-on-Lan in Windows 10

If you’re a Windows 10 user and you’re looking to enable Wake-on-Lan, you might not know where to start, or what you need exactly. Before you go through the steps, you should locate your network card. If you’re not sure which one it is, go search for “System Information” and then follow this path System Information>Components>Network>Adapter.

Now, follow these steps in detail to enable Wake-on-Lan in Windows 10:

1. Press Windows key + X and select “Device Manager”.
2. Scroll down the list and select “Network adapters” and expand the menu.
3. Right-click on your network card and then select “Properties”.
4. When the window opens select the “Advanced” tab.
5. Scroll down the list and find Wake-on-Lan. Change to “Enabled” under “Value”.
6. Now select the “Power Management” tab. Tick the checkboxes “Allow this device to wake the computer” and “Only allow a magic packet to wake the computer” and click “OK”.

Note: The Wake-on-Lan name on the list can vary depending on the device. If you can’t find Wake-on-Lan try searching for “Wake on the magic packet”, “power on by LAN”, “remote wake-up”, or “resume on LAN”.

Wake-on-Lan in BIOS

When it comes to BIOS, the menu can be quite different depending on the device. That’s what makes it difficult to offer specific instructions. In general, you’ll need to use a particular key while your device is booting. Usually, it’s the “Escape” key. Sometimes “Delete” or “F1”.

In BIOS you have to locate the “Power” tab and then find the Wake-on-Lan on the list. Turn it on and then save the changes.

How Does Wake-on-Lan Work?

For the Wake-on-Lan to work, you should make sure that all three conditions are covered:

1. Your computer has to be connected to a power source.
2. Your computer’s motherboard has to be ATX-compatible. Most are, unless it’s a really old computer.
3. The network card has to be Wake-on-Lan enabled.

The great thing about Wake-on-Lan is that it’s pretty much universal. The way it works is by using “magic packets”. The way to describe it simply would be that when the network card detects the packets, it allows the computer to turn itself on.

This is why it’s crucial for your computer to be connected to a power source for it to work, even if it’s turned off. The network cards continue to take small charges when they’re looking for the magic packet.

Being able to access all the data on your computer at any time can prove to be immensely useful. And to use your desktop remotely, you can download a remote desktop app that supports Wake-on-Lan.

Security

One of the concerns about enabling Wake-on-Lan on Windows 10 could be potential security implications. And one can never be too secure online. Using magic packets means that, in theory, anyone on the same network can access your computer.

This can turn into a problem if you’re connected to a public network. However, if you’re using a home network, that’s not something to worry about. The most important thing to remember is that Wake-on-Lan only gets your computer to wake up. It can’t access password screens and other types of security. Sure, nothing is ever completely protected, but overall, it’s a minor concern.

Is Wake-on-Lan for You?

Even though it’s considered an ancient technology by some, Wake-on-Lan is widely used. It’s even preferred in some cases. It’s a practical approach if you need to access your computer remotely often. Imagine needing a specific file or program and having no way to do it? Your computer stays in the “low power” mode at all times in order to be able to wake it up at any time. The good news is that enabling Wake-on-Lan in Windows 10 is pretty simple.

Have you ever tried enabling Wake-on-Lan and why did you need to do it? Let us know in the comments section below.