WinMTR 0.92 for Windows

WinMTR 0.92 is a free network diagnostic tool for Windows that combines the functions of traceroute and ping in one window. You can download WinMTR from the official site to find out where along the way to a server your connection loses packets or slows down.

Quick facts

• Version: 0.92
• Developer: WinMTR project (winmtr.net)
• Platform: Windows
• Type: traceroute and ping in one tool
• Licence: freeware
• Size: about 1.82 MB according to catalogue data

What it shows

When a game lags, a video call breaks up or a website loads slowly, the problem can sit anywhere between your PC and the server: in your Wi-Fi, at your provider, in a backbone network or at the destination. Traceroute lists the routers, or hops, that packets pass through, and ping measures response times. WinMTR does both continuously. You type a host name, press start, and the table fills with every hop along the route, showing for each one how many packets were lost and the lowest, average and highest response times. After a few minutes a pattern appears. Loss that starts at one hop and continues to the end points to that part of the route; loss at a single middle hop that disappears further on usually means the router just deprioritises such requests and is not a real problem. The result can be exported as text, which is exactly what support teams of providers and game companies often ask for.

How to use it

1. Download WinMTR from the official site; the program runs without installation.
2. Start it and enter the address of the server you have trouble with.
3. Press Start and let it run for several minutes while the problem is happening.
4. Stop it and use the export or copy option to save the results.
5. Send the text to your provider's or the service's support team if needed.

Requirements

WinMTR runs on Windows and needs only a network connection. It is a small program with no special hardware needs.

Is it safe?

Yes, when downloaded from winmtr.net. It sends ordinary diagnostic packets and changes nothing on your system. Some servers and firewalls do not answer such packets, which shows as missing data rather than as an error of the program.

Price

WinMTR is free.

Tips for reading results

Compare a run to the problem server with a run to a well-known site. If both show loss starting right at the hops closest to you, the issue is likely your own network or Wi-Fi; try a cable before calling your provider.

Pros and cons

• Pro: traceroute and ping in one clear table.
• Pro: easy to export for support.
• Pro: tiny, no installation.
• Con: results need some experience to interpret.
• Con: some routers do not reply, leaving gaps.

Alternatives

Other network tools on our site include Wireshark for packet analysis, Advanced IP Scanner for local devices and NetSpeedMonitor for bandwidth.