Content

• Steps

If you want to share your network connection with your mobile device, you can turn your computer into a wireless router. Just install a wireless adapter and you can create a portable hotspot on your computer to help other mobile devices connect to the network. Your device will share your computer's internet connection. You can use this method when staying at hotels or other locations that only allow one device to log on to Wi-Fi.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Use Windows 10

1. Press.⊞ Win+Xand select "Command Prompt (Admin)." This is a command that opens Command Prompt as an administrator. You are required to continue depending on your computer's security settings.
   • You need to be logged in as an administrator account or know a password to perform these steps.
2. Check that a compatible wireless adapter is installed. You need a wireless adapter to make the wireless network accessible to your mobile device. Most Windows laptops come with a wireless adapter installed but not on desktops. Enter the following command to check if it is installed, if it is compatible or not:
   • netsh wlan show drivers
   • If you receive the message, your computer does not have a wireless adapter installed. You can also use the USB wireless adapter, or see the tutorial to install a network card for your computer.
3. Find the line .. You may have to scroll down to see this line. If (Yes) is displayed, the wireless adapter supports network broadcasting. Continue to open the Command Prompt window.
   • Not all wireless adapters support network broadcasting. If your computer doesn't have a compatible adapter, you can use a USB instead.
4. Make sure that the computer is connected to the network via an Ethernet cable. This method requires your computer to use a wired connection. You can share your connection with other devices by broadcasting Wi-Fi.
   • Press ⊞ Win+X and select "Network Connections" to open the Network Connections window. Find the "Ethernet" connection in the list. It has an Ethernet cable icon below the network icon.
   • If an Ethernet connection is not visible (for example, you are using a Surface tablet), refer to the method using Connectify, the software that uses a wireless adapter to receive and broadcast the network for connected devices.
5. Enter the command to create a network. Return to the Command Prompt window or reopen with administrator privileges if closed. Enter the following command:
   • netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode = allow ssid =Name key =password
   • Instead Name with the name you give the network.
   • Instead password with password protected network. Password must contain at least 8 characters.
6. Create a new hotspot. Enter the following command to create a new hotspot:
   • netsh wlan start hostednetwork
7. Return to the Network Connections window. You can find it in the menu ⊞ Win+X if closed.
8. Right click on the Ethernet connection and select "Properties" (Characteristic). The machine will open a new window containing the details of the Ethernet adapter.
9. Check the first box under the "Sharing" tab. The dialog box says "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection". A new menu appears below the dialog box.
10. Select the network you just created in the menu. You need to select the network you just created in the previous step, this is the network you share your connection with. The network is named "Local Area Connection #", "Wi-Fi" or "Microsoft Hosted Virtual Adapter".
11. Click "OK" to save changes. A connected mobile device that needs a network connection can now access the internet via a computer connection.
12. Connect your mobile device to the new network. After setting up a new network, you can search for the wireless network on your mobile device and try to connect:
    • Android - Open the Settings app and select "Wi-Fi". Select the network you just created from the list of available networks, then enter the password when prompted.
    • iOS - Open Settings from the Home screen. Select "Wi-Fi" and find the network you just created in the "Choose a Network" list. Tap on the network and enter the password when prompted.
13. Check the line. After connecting to the wireless network, you can check it by opening a browser and accessing the web. You will easily notice that the network speed on your mobile device is slower than on your computer.
14. Turn off the hotspot when done. When you're done sharing your network connection, you can disable hotspot in the same way as you enable:
    • Open Command Prompt (Admin) in the menu ⊞ Win+X.
    • Enter an order netsh wlan stop hosted network and press ↵ Enter.
    • Return to the Network Connections window, open the Properties of the Ethernet connection and disable the connection sharing option in the Sharing tab.
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Method 2 of 4: Using Windows 7 and 8

1. Make sure that the wireless adapter is installed. This is required to turn the computer into a router. Most laptops come with a built-in wireless adapter, but desktops don't. You can use the USB dongle adapter, just plug it in and use it, or install the wireless network card.
   • Verify that the computer has an adapter installed by going to the Start menu or the screen and entering ncpa.cpl. Press↵ Enter to open the Network Connections window. Find a connection called "Wireless Network Connection". It has the signal icon below the connection icon. If found, the computer has a wireless adapter.
   • You can refer to the instructions to install the network card for your computer.
2. Download Virtual Router. This is a free, open source program for sharing your network easily through the protocol available in Windows. You can download it from the site.
   • Virtual Router allows you to share your connection wirelessly thanks to the network card you use to connect to the network. In other words, you only need 1 wireless connection on your computer to create a Wi-Fi hotspot and share the network with other mobile devices.
   • Using Windows 10 is also possible for this method, but many users report that this is not suitable for their system. See the next section to learn the Windows 10 right method.
3. Double click on the downloaded software and run the installer. Follow the installation instructions. You can keep the default settings. If the software is downloaded from the site, no advertisements or malware are involved.
   • You can find the downloaded installer at the bottom of your browser window, or in the Downloads folder.
4. Start the Virtual Router software. Once installed, open Virtual Router. Find and open the Virtual Router manager in the Start menu.
5. Update wireless drivers if the Virtual Router cannot be started. The software requires a wireless device compatible with Windows 7 or 8. If you have not updated the wireless driver in a while, or have upgraded your computer from previous Windows to Windows 7 or 8, you need to install the software. Latest drivers for the device. If the wireless adapter is not installed, the software cannot be opened.
   • Press ⊞ Win+R and enter devmgmt.msc to open Device Manager.
   • Expand the "Network adapters" category, right-click on the wireless adapter and select "Update Driver Software".
   • Click on "Search automatically for updated driver software" and follow the prompts to install the found Windows drivers.
   • You can also refer to our updated driver instructions. If the Virtual Router still fails to start up the Virtual Router after updating the driver or there is no update, refer to how to use Connectify below.
6. Enter the wireless network name in the "Network Name (SSID)" field. This is the name displayed in the device's list of available networks. Don't use any personal information to name your network or people around you will find out.
7. Enter the password used to protect the network. It is recommended to set a password mask to prevent unwanted users from accessing the network. Even though you are at home, it's a good idea to set a password. You need to enter the password on your mobile device when connecting to the network.
8. Select the connection you want to share. In most cases there is only one connection in the list. Select the connection you want the computer to receive the transmission from and share.
9. Click the "Start Virtual Router" button. The machine creates a new wireless network, and you can find it on your mobile device.
   • If the virtual network cannot be created, please use the software in the next method.
10. Find new networks on mobile devices. After setting up a new network, you can find it in the list of available networks on your mobile device. The search process depends on the device you use, but usually go to Settings.
    • Android - Open Settings and select "Wi-Fi". Find and tap the network you just created in the list of available networks. Enter your password when prompted.
    • iOS - Open Settings from the Home screen. Click the "Wi-Fi" option at the top of the menu. Select the newly created wireless network and enter the password.
    • You can refer to the network connection for your device from the articles on the network.
11. Checking connection. Once connected, you will see the device name appear in the Virtual Router's Management window on your computer. Open your mobile browser and try to access the web. advertisement

Method 3 of 4: use Connectify (On any Windows version)

1. Make sure wireless adapter is installed. You can only create wireless networks if the computer has a wireless adapter installed. If using a laptop, it is usually pre-installed. If you use a desktop computer, you may have to install it yourself. You can use a USB wireless adapter or a network card.
   • Press ⊞ Win and enter ncpa.cpl to open the Network Connections window. If you have an adapter you will see a "Wireless Network Connection" entry.
   • Refer to the online tutorials on how to install the wireless adapter for your desktop computer.
2. Download Connectify. Connectify is software that creates a virtual Wi-Fi hotspot using a wireless adapter on a computer. If you don't have access to the built-in tools from the previous methods, or want to find something simpler, Connectify is what you need.
   • Connectify comes in two versions: free and paid. The free version lets you create a wireless network on your computer, but can't rename the network.
   • You can download Connectify from the site
3. Run the Connectify installer. After downloading the software, open the installer. Click on "I Agree" to begin the installation.
4. Restart the computer. You need to restart your computer before opening Connectify. Power off and restart the computer from the Start menu.
5. Start Connectify when the computer is turned on. You are asked to choose between purchasing the software and trying it out.
6. Allow Connectify to bypass the Windows Firewall if required. If you see the Windows Firewall window, click "Allow Access" for Connectify.
7. Click "Try Me"> "Get Started with Lite" (Use Simplified version). This will run the free version of Connectify.
8. Don't forget to select "Wi-Fi Hotspot" at the top of the window. This is how to notify Connectify that you want to create a wireless hotspot over the internet.
   • If you don't see an option when you select "Wi-Fi Hotspot", the wireless adapter may not be installed.
9. Select current network connection. If your computer has more than one adapter installed, you will need to choose which adapter to use to connect your computer to the network. You can choose a wired or wireless adapter, depending on what network to use.
10. Name the hotspot. If you are using the free version of Connectify, the name will start with "Connectify-". If you use the Pro or Max version, you can name it yourself.
11. Create a password for a hotspot. You must enter the password when connecting to the network. It is recommended that you set a password to protect your network, even though you are at home.
12. Click "Start Hotspot" to create a network. Connectify will start broadcasting the wireless network, and the network will appear in the list of available networks on the mobile device.
13. Connect your mobile device to the new network. Select the wireless network and enter the password you just created. You should wait a while before proceeding to connect to the network, then the mobile device name will appear in the Clients tab on Connectify.
14. Checking connection. Once connected, open a browser and try to access the web. If everything is configured correctly, you can surf the web instantly. advertisement

Method 4 of 4: Use a Mac

1. Make sure that the Mac is connected to the network via an Ethernet cable. To create a wireless hotspot and share a network connection with other devices, Mac right connect to the network via Ethernet cable. You cannot share Wi-Fi networks if the wireless adapter is already used for Wi-Fi connection.
   • You can find the Ethernet port on the back or side of your Mac computer. If your Mac doesn't have an Ethernet port, you can use a USB adapter or a Thunderbolt adapter.
2. Click on the Apple menu and choose "System Preferences" (System Customization). The machine will open the System Preferences menu.
3. Select "Sharing" in the System Preferences menu. The machine will open in a new window.
4. Highlight "Internet Sharing", but don't check the box next to it. The machine will display internet sharing options in the right pane.
5. Select "Ethernet" in the menu "Share your connection from:"(Connection Sharing from :). This allows the Mac to broadcast a Wi-Fi network from the connection it received over an Ethernet cable.
   • Mac needs to be connected to the network via an Ethernet cable before sharing the network. This method might not work on Mac devices that don't have an Ethernet port.
6. Check "Wi-Fi" on the list of "To computers using:"(How to use your computer). This section informs Internet Sharing that you are about to create a wireless hotspot to share the connection.
7. Click the "Wi-Fi Options" button. The machine will open a new window for you to configure the wireless network.
8. Name the network. Enter the network name in the "Network Name" field. Don't use personal information to name your network because everyone can see it.
9. Set a password. Enter a password to protect your password. You will need to enter this password on your mobile device to connect to the network. Set a password even when you are at home.
10. Click the dialog box next to it "Internet Sharing". This is to enable Internet Sharing after choosing to share Wi-Fi.
    • Click "Start" to confirm you want to enable sharing.
11. New network connection on mobile devices. After enabling Internet Sharing on your Mac, you should see the network name appear in the list of available networks on your mobile device. Select the network and enter the password to connect.
12. Checking connection. Once connected, open a browser and access the web. If you configure internet sharing on your Mac correctly, you can surf the web without error. advertisement