You need to power on a PC in another room, or a file server across the office, and you don't want to walk over and press the button. If the machine's network adapter supports it, a magic packet can switch it on from where you sit. Wake-On-LAN Sender is a small Windows utility that sends those packets.
Quick facts
- Platform: Windows
- Price: Free (freeware)
- Developer: Alexander Yarovy
- Extra tool: Wake-On-LAN Listener, for troubleshooting
How magic packets work
A magic packet is a UDP packet that contains the target adapter's MAC address repeated 16 times. When an adapter receives a packet containing its own MAC address, it switches the computer on. The program builds and sends these packets for you.
Key features
Keep a list of your remote computers
You build a list of computers once. After that you wake any of them without retyping addresses.
Find MAC addresses on your LAN
If you don't know a machine's MAC address, the program can search for the MAC addresses of computers on your network. It can scan between customizable IP ranges.
Wake one computer or all of them
You can send a packet to a single machine, or use Send to All to wake every computer on the list.
SecureOn password support
If your network cards require a SecureOn password, you can enter it so the packet is accepted.
Run it hidden from the command line
Once a computer entry is configured, you can start it with WakeOnLan.exe /ComputerName and it runs hidden. This suits shortcuts and scheduled tasks.
Troubleshoot with Wake-On-LAN Listener
When a computer won't wake, the bundled Listener helps you check whether magic packets are arriving, so you can tell if the problem is your configuration.
Who it's for
It suits home users with a PC or media server they want to start remotely, and admins who need to wake a handful of machines on a LAN. If you want a simple tool that does one job, it fits.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free
- Light and easy to use
- SecureOn password support
- Command-line launch for automation
- Includes a Listener for debugging
Cons
- Windows only
- The vendor's What's New page lists nothing after 2011, so don't expect frequent updates
- It wakes machines only if the adapter and BIOS already support Wake-on-LAN
FAQs
Is it really free?
Yes. The vendor describes every release as freeware.
Can I wake a computer from a script?
Yes. Once the computer entry is configured, run WakeOnLan.exe with the computer name as a parameter.
Can it find the MAC address for me?
Yes. It searches for the MAC addresses of computers on your LAN.
What if the computer doesn't wake up?
Use the included Wake-On-LAN Listener to check how packets are received and to troubleshoot your configuration.
System requirements
Microsoft Windows. The listing covers Windows 2000, XP, Vista and Windows 7, plus Windows Server.