Automatic detection and testing of new networking connections

A non-transitory computer-readable medium having thereon computer-executable instructions for performing a method of configuring a new network connection from a user machine to a network, the instructions comprising instructions for:

• determining one or more network connections that are supportable by the user machine;
• presenting a list of network connection options to a user of the user machine, wherein the list of network connection options lists those network connections supportable by the user machine;
• receiving a user selection of a network connection option associated with a first network;
• configuring a connection from the user machine to the first network;
• and
• testing the connection created from the user machine to the first network comprising:
• attempting to make a connection in the background on the user machine to the first network further comprising;
• if the connection to the first network is successful, verifying network connectivity comprising submitting user credentials for the connection and verifying if the user credentials are accepted and that the first network is available for use without additional credentials;
• and
• if the network connectivity is verified, disconnecting the user machine from the first network in the background;
• if the connection is successful and verified, reporting the successful and verified connection as an available network;
• and
• if the connection is not successful or is not verified, refraining from reporting the connection as an available network.

A connection wizard for aiding a user of a user machine in configuring a connection from the user machine to a network comprising:

• a network and network hardware detection module for determining one or more network connection types supportable by the user machine;
• a user interface module in communication with the network and network hardware detection module for receiving notification of the one or more network connection types supportable by the user machine, and for generating a user interface presenting a listing of the one or more network connection types supportable by the user machine, and for receiving a user selection of a first network connection type to configure and for guiding the user via the user interface through a process for configuring a network connection of the first network connection type;
• and
• a testing module in communication with the user interface module, for receiving from the user interface module an indication that the configuration of a connection of the first network connection type has completed, and for testing the configured connection wherein testing the configured connection comprises:
• attempting to make a connecting in background,
• if the connection to the first network is successful,
• verifying the connection in the background connectivity comprising submitting user credentials for the connection and verifying if the user credentials are accepted and that the first network is available for use without additional credentials,
• if the network connectivity is verified,
• disconnecting in the background,
• if the connection is successful and verified,
• reporting the successful and verified connection as an available network and
• if the connection is not successful or is not verified,
• refraining from reporting the connection as an available network.