The SocketWrench control requires Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later, Visual Basic 2.0 or later and networking software that supports the Windows Sockets 1.1 specification. For 16-bit platforms, the Visual Basic or ActiveX control should be installed in the system directory. For 32-bit platforms, the ActiveX control should be placed in the system directory under Windows 95, or the system32 directory under Windows NT.

Windows 3.1 does not come with TCP/IP software as part of the operating system, so you will need a third-party product for that platform. One of the most popular TCP/IP stacks for this platform is written by Trumpet Software International, and can be used over local and dial-up networks. Windows for Workgroups 3.11 does not include TCP/IP software, but Microsoft does offer one for free. However, it does not support dial-up networks, so if that is a requirement, you will still need a third-party product.

Windows 95 and Windows NT both have TCP/IP software included with the operating system. Both local and dial-up networks are supported, with dial-up networking installed as part of the Windows Remote Access Services subsystem. If you are using Windows 95, it is recommended that you obtain the Dial-Up Networking 1.2 update which includes a number of enhancements to the product. You can obtain further information about this update by searching the KnowledgeBase on the Microsoft website.