Waking A Windows 7 Computer From Slumber Remotely

how to wake a sleeping computer remotely windows 7

There are several ways to wake a sleeping Windows 7 computer remotely. One common method is to use a Wake-on-LAN (WoL) tool, which can be set up to send a magic packet to the sleeping computer, telling it to wake up and power on. This can be done using a WoL app on a mobile phone, or through a program on a separate computer. Additionally, some routers and NAS devices have WoL capability built in, which can be accessed through their interface.

Characteristics and Values Table for Remotely Waking a Windows 7 Computer from Sleep

Characteristics Values
Operating System Windows 7
Computer Status Sleep Mode
Remote Access Method RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol), LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), VPN (Virtual Private Network), WOL (Wake-on-LAN), SMB (Server Message Block), SSH (Secure Shell), HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), VNC (Virtual Network Computing)
Network Card Setting "Allow wake-up only by magic packet" enabled
Required Information MAC Address, IP Address, Subnet Mask, Port Number
Tools/Software R-HUB Remote Support Servers, TeamViewer, Jump Desktop, Wake On LAN GUI, Wake On LAN Tool, Alexa WOL Skill
Configuration Router port forwarding, DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), UDP (User Datagram Protocol), TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)

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Using the Wake On LAN Tool

The Wake-On-LAN tool is a utility that can wake a device (PC, laptop, or tablet) from sleep or hibernation modes. It does so by sending a "magic packet" to the device's network card or wireless adapter. This tool is particularly useful for remotely waking a Windows 7 computer, as the default shutdown operation in this operating system puts the system into a classic shutdown state (S5), making it challenging to wake up remotely.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use the Wake-On-LAN tool to wake a sleeping Windows 7 computer remotely:

  • Download the Wake-On-LAN tool: You can download this tool as part of the Free Windows Tools from ManageEngine. It is also available on the Microsoft Store and other third-party websites.
  • Install the tool: Once downloaded, run the program and accept the license agreement. Click "Next" to proceed with the installation and launch the program.
  • Access the tool: Click on the "Wake On LAN" icon from the list of free Windows tools.
  • Add your computer's information: Click on "Add Computers" and enter the MAC address of your computer's network card. You can find the MAC address by checking your router's Status page when the computer is connected to the network. Additionally, enter your computer's IP address and subnet mask, if you know them.
  • Send the "magic packet": After entering the required information, click "OK" to add the computer. Then, click the "Wake Up" button to send the "magic packet." This packet will instruct your computer to wake up from its sleeping state.
  • Close the program: Once you have sent the "magic packet," close the Wake On LAN window and then the Free Windows Tools window.

It is important to note that the Wake-On-LAN tool works only on local networks and not over the internet. Additionally, it might not work if your computer has been sleeping for an extended period, as some residual power is required for the network adapter to function.

For a seamless experience, ensure that you have enabled the Wake-On-LAN feature in your computer's BIOS settings. This setting ensures that your computer goes into a sleep state instead of completely powering off, allowing it to listen for the "magic packet" on the Ethernet port.

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Configuring the router to forward Magic Packets

The first step is to access the router's configuration page and locate the port-forwarding section. If you're having trouble finding it, portforward.com may be able to help.

Next, you'll need to forward the Wake-on-LAN port to your home network's broadcast address. Typically, the port will be 7 or 9, and the broadcast address will be the router's IP address with ".255" as the final octet, for example, 192.168.1.255.

It's important to note that not all routers will support this type of port forwarding. Additionally, since the computer is switched off, it won't have an IP address, so the router will need to be configured to forward to a specific MAC address instead.

Once the router is configured correctly, you can use third-party tools or scripts to send a wake-up packet over the network to the computer you want to start. Tools like WakeMeOnLan from NirSoft can be used for this purpose, but it's important to use such tools at your own risk.

By following these steps, you can configure your router to forward Magic Packets and wake up a Windows 7 computer remotely.

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Using Alexa's WOL skill

To wake a Windows 7 computer remotely, you can use the Wake-on-LAN (WoL) feature. This involves enabling the computer to listen to the Ethernet port for a "magic packet" that will tell it to wake up and power on. There are many free WoL utilities available that can send this magic packet, and some of them function over a LAN or WAN.

To use Alexa to wake a Windows 7 computer remotely, you can make use of the WoL skill available for Alexa-enabled devices. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to set up and use Alexa's WoL skill:

  • Ensure Compatibility: Before you begin, make sure your computer supports the Wake-on-LAN feature. This can usually be enabled in the BIOS settings of your computer.
  • Find MAC Address: You will need to know the MAC address of the computer you want to wake up. The MAC address is a unique identifier for your computer's network card.
  • Enable Port Forwarding: If you want to wake your computer over the internet (as opposed to a local network), you may need to enable port forwarding on your router. Forward a specific port to port 9 on your computer, which is the default port for Wake-on-LAN.
  • Install WoL Skill: On your Alexa device, enable the WoL skill by searching for it in the Alexa Skills store and following the on-screen instructions.
  • Add Devices: Visit https://www.wolskill.com/ and add your devices by entering a name and the MAC address for each device you want to control with Alexa.
  • Activate the Skill: Once your devices are added, activate the WoL skill by following the instructions on the wolskill.com website.
  • Wake Device: To wake up your Windows 7 computer, simply say, "Alexa, turn on [device name]." For example, if your computer's name is "Work PC," you would say, "Alexa, turn on Work PC."

By following these steps, you should be able to use Alexa's WOL skill to wake your Windows 7 computer remotely. This skill gives you the convenience of voice control, allowing you to power on compatible devices that are connected to your network.

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Using a separate WakeOnLan program

To wake a Windows 7 computer from sleep mode remotely, you can use the Wake-on-LAN (WoL) feature. This allows you to turn on a computer using its network connection. To use WoL, you need to enable it in your computer's BIOS settings.

There are several third-party Wake-on-LAN programs available that you can use to wake a sleeping computer remotely. Here are some options:

NirSoft's WakeMeOnLan

This free tool allows you to scan your network and provides a list of devices, so you don't need to remember the IP address each time. Simply click on the device you want to wake up and hit "Wake Up". WakeMeOnLan uses an internal MAC Addresses database to display the company name of every network adapter. It also allows you to wake up a computer without a user interface by using the /wakeup command-line option. You can specify the computer name, IP address, or user text in the properties window, as long as this information is stored in the .cfg file.

Depicus's Wake On LAN GUI

This is another free tool that you can use to wake a sleeping computer. After downloading the WakeOnLanGui.zip file, you need to extract the WakeOnLanGui.exe file and run it as an administrator. You will then need to enter the MAC address, IP address, subnet mask, and port number for the remote PC.

Mocha WOL (iOS) or Wake On Lan (Android)

If you want to wake a Windows 7 computer from a mobile device, you can use these apps.

ManageEngine's Wake On LAN Tool

This free tool from ManageEngine allows you to add computers by entering their MAC address, IP address, and subnet mask. You can then send the magic packet to wake up the computer by clicking the "Wake Up" button.

When using these tools, you may need to forward the Wake-on-LAN port to your network's broadcast address. Additionally, you will need to know the MAC address of the computer you want to wake up.

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Using TeamViewer

TeamViewer is a tool that can be used to wake up a Windows 7 computer remotely. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Firstly, you need to enable the Wake-on-LAN feature on the sleeping computer. This can be done by accessing the BIOS settings and activating the "Allow this device to wake the computer" option. Save these changes and exit the BIOS set-up.

Now, on the device from which you want to initiate the wake-up request, install and open the TeamViewer Remote Control app. This can be another Windows or Mac computer, or even an Android or iOS device.

In the TeamViewer app, go to Settings > Device > Network, and click on Wake-on-LAN. If the sleeping computer is within the same network, click on "Other TeamViewer within your local network". Enter the TeamViewer ID of the device that will be waking up the remote computer, and confirm by clicking OK.

If the sleeping computer is not on the same network, you will need to configure Wake-on-LAN differently. In the TeamViewer settings, go to Device > Network > Wake-on-LAN, and enter the fixed IP address or DNS name of the sleeping computer in the address field. Also, enter the UDP port number through which the computer can be reached.

Additionally, make sure that the remote computer is configured to be woken up through a public address. This can be done by setting up a fixed, static IP address through your Internet provider or using a dynamic DNS provider to give your router a public domain address.

With these configurations in place, you should now be able to wake up your Windows 7 computer remotely using TeamViewer.

Frequently asked questions

You can enable Wake-On-LAN (WoL) in your computer's BIOS settings. This will allow your computer to listen to the Ethernet port for a "magic packet" to wake up and power on. You can send the magic packet using a WoL utility, such as Wake On LAN GUI from Depicus, or the Wake On LAN Tool from ManageEngine.

You will need to know your computer's MAC address, IP address, and subnet mask.

You can find your computer's MAC address by browsing your router's Status page when the computer is connected to the network.

Install a Wake-On-LAN app on your phone, and redirect a port on your router to port 9 on your PC. You can then use the app to wake your PC using the public IP address of the router, the port number, and the MAC address of the PC.

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