Before you start setting up Internet distribution from a laptop / computer, you need to make sure that the Wi-Fi adapter is turned on. On most laptops, the WLAN adapter activity indicator is present on the case, otherwise you should enable the adapter in the Network and Sharing Center.
Set up Internet distribution using a wireless Wi-Fi network on a computer / laptop.
One of the ways to organize the distribution of the Internet via Wi-Fi is to create a Wi-Fi computer-to-computer network using Windows tools (Do not rush to do it !!!). I will explain right away that this method has a slight drawback, the fact is that you will not connect an Android tablet or an IPhone smartphone to such a network, only another computer / laptop with the Windows operating system installed. This is due to the fact that you are creating a point in Ad-hoc mode (also called: point-to-point, computer-to-computer, peer-to-peer network) and devices with a different operating system (Android, iOS) will not see your network or be able to her to connect. You need Soft AP mode (also called: access point mode, soft Access Point, virtual WiFi, virtual router) on how to do this is written in the second part of the article.
The first step is to get into the Network and Sharing Center. To do this, you can right-click on network icon in the lower right corner of the screen and select "Network and Sharing Center".
Another way is to go to "Start" - "Control Panel" - "Network and Sharing Center".
No matter which method you use, in the end you will see the Network and Sharing Center window. Click "Set up a new connection or network".
In the Set up a connection or network window, select "Set up a computer-to-computer wireless network" and click "Next".
Read the information window and click "Next".
In the next window, you must enter the data of the network to be created:
Network name- Wi-Fi network name (SSID) that other computers/laptops will see. Enter any name.
Security key- password for connecting to a Wi-Fi network, I recommend using a complex password of at least 8 characters, consisting of letters, numbers and special characters ( [email protected]#$).
In the next window, click the "Turn on Internet Connection Sharing" button and click the "Close" button.
This completes the setup of the Wi-Fi network computer-to-computer. Now if you go to the Network and Sharing Center you will see your Wi-Fi network.
On other computers, you can see and connect to the created network.
In order to delete a computer-to-computer connection, go to the Network and Sharing Center, select "Manage wireless networks" and delete the created network.
Set up Internet distribution on a laptop for a computer / laptop / tablet / smartphone.
If you want to distribute the Internet not only to computers and laptops, but also to tablets and smartphones, the method described below is suitable for you.
We launch the command prompt with administrator rights, to do this, click "Start" - "All Programs" - "Accessories", right-click on "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator".
Another way is to click keyboard shortcut
On the command line, run the command:
netsh WLAN set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid="point name" key="password"
For example:
netsh WLAN set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=site key=Pa$$w0rd
After that, you need to turn on the network, to do this, run the command:
netsh WLAN start hostednetwork
The next step is to provide Internet access to all connected devices, to do this, go to the Network and Sharing Center and select "Change adapter settings". In the connections window that opens, select the connection that has Internet access (it does not matter what the Internet source is - 3G / 4G modem, cable provider or Wi-Fi network with access to the global network), for this you can change the view to "Table" and see in front of the connection "Internet Access". In my case it is "Local Area Connection 2". The orange lines mark the network that we created, the Microsoft Virtual WiFiMiniport Adapter line will tell you about it (remember the network name, it will come in handy later).
Right click on the connection and select "Properties".
In the properties window, select the "Access" tab, check the box next to "Allow other network users to use this computer's Internet connection", below select the connection that you created, in my case it is Wireless network connection 2 (the connection is marked with an orange line in the picture above).
This completes the Wi-Fi network setup. It should be noted that after restarting the computer distributing the Internet, you will again have to run the command because it will not work automatically . If you want it to start automatically every time you boot your computer, you need to create a batch file and add it to startup. To do this, create a text document, enter the command in it netsh WLAN start hostednetwork, save the document. Further change the extension from txt to bat and add the file to startup (Start - All Programs - Startup).
In order to remove a Wi-Fi connection, run a command prompt with administrator rights and use the command:
netsh WLAN set hostednetwork mode=disallow ssid="point name" key="password"
For example:
netsh WLAN set hostednetwork mode=disallow ssid=site key=Pa$$w0rd
That's all. If you have any questions or wishes write in the comments.
Hello, friends! I recently wrote an article in which I talked about. But as it turned out, the method that I wrote about in that article is not suitable for connecting mobile devices such as phones, smartphones, tablets, etc.
And given the fact that a lot of people want to set up a laptop to distribute Wi-Fi and connect a mobile device to it, then I decided to correct the situation. This article can be considered a continuation of the previous article.
In order to make the laptop turn into a router and connect a mobile device to it, we will use the VirtualRouter Plus program. This is a small, simple program that is very easy to set up, which we will now do.
If you did not understand what we are going to do now and did not read the article, the link to which is above, then I will quickly explain.Let's say you have a laptop and some other mobile devices that have Wi-Fi. And the Internet is connected to you, say, by cable and only to a laptop. There is no Wi-Fi router. Do you want to connect your phone or tablet to the Internet. So, we will force the laptop to take the Internet via cable (or in another way, for example, via a USB modem. Only not via Wi-Fi) and distribute it over Wi-Fi. The laptop will be the hotspot.
There are several ways to set up distribution. You can use special programs such as VirtualRouter Plus, Connectify Hotspot, or through the command line. I really liked the free VirtualRouter Plus program, so I'll show you how to set it up. With her help, everything worked out the first time.
What do we need?
We need a laptop (netbook, desktop computer with adapter) which has Wi-Fi. Internet, which is connected using a network cable, or a USB modem. Virtual Router Plus Program (I'll give you a link later) well, the device that we will connect to the Internet (phone, tablet, etc.).
Everything is? Let's start then :)
Setting up Wi-Fi distribution from a laptop
Let me remind you again that the laptop must be connected to the Internet using a cable, and not via a wireless network. Like this:
And the connection status should be like this:
If everything is connected, then we can continue.
Configuring VirtualRouter Plus
First download VirtualRouter Plus can download version 2.1.0 (on which I tuned) by reference, or . Links checked.
Download the archive and extract it to a folder. Run the file in the folder VirtualRouterPlus.exe.
A window will open in which we need to fill in only three fields.
Network Name (SSID)– in this field write a name for your wireless network.
Password- password. The password that will be used to connect to your network. Please enter at least 8 characters, in English.
Well, on the contrary Shared connection select the connection from which the Internet will be distributed. I have an Internet connection via cable, so I left “Local Area Connection” as it is.
Everyone, click the button Start Virtual Router Plus.
All windows will become inactive and the Stop Virtual Router Plus button will appear (you can use it to turn off virtual Wi-Fi). You can minimize the program and it will hide on the notification bar (bottom, right).
Connecting the device to Wi-Fi
We now take a phone, tablet, or whatever you want to connect there (I have, for example, an HTC phone on Android), turn on Wi-Fi on it and look for an available network in the list with the name that we set in the Virtual Router Plus program.
I have this network:
Click on this network, enter the password (which we specified when setting up the program) and press connect. It should turn out something like this:
You can already try to access sites from your phone (or other device), which receives Internet via Wi-Fi from a laptop. But the connection is there, but the Internet may not work. It's true:). It just needs some more tweaking.
The device connects to Wi-Fi, but the Internet does not work
Return to the laptop, open the program in which we set up the distribution and press the button Stop Virtual Router Plus. Then right click on connection status and select Network and Sharing Center.
Left select Change adapter settings. Right click on adapter LAN connection and select Properties. Go to the tab Access.
Set the checkboxes as in my screenshot below. In field Home network connection you need to select an adapter. Everything works fine for me when installed Wireless network connection 3 (You may also have a Wireless Network Connection 2 or something else). Experiment.
Then, in the Virtual Router Plus program, we start our network again. The phone should already establish a connection automatically. The internet should be up and running. Everything worked for me, the sites opened!
The transformation of the laptop into a router was successful :).
Advice! You can add the Virtual Router Plus program to startup so that you do not have to manually start it all the time. How to do this, I wrote in the article.
Afterword
Of course, if possible, I would advise you to buy a router. Even some simple, inexpensive model, for example, will do an excellent job of distributing Wi-Fi to several devices. And you don't have to torment your laptop :). In addition, the laptop itself will be able to connect wirelessly, and not distribute it.
But this method is also good. You can quickly set up a wireless network, even without a router.
If you have any problems, then leave questions in the comments, and even better on our forum. We'll figure out. Good luck!
More on the site:
How to set up a laptop to distribute Wi-Fi and connect a mobile device to it? Configuring Virtual Router Plus updated: February 7, 2018 by: admin
Most users have several devices at once at home: phone, tablet and other gadgets. In the absence of a Wi-Fi router, you can distribute Wi-Fi from a laptop. In this article, we will look at how to distribute Wi-Fi to other devices using available methods, ranging from standard Windows tools (network settings, command line) to installing third-party software. But first you need to make sure that you have the appropriate adapter.
Checking if a Wi-Fi adapter is available and if the driver is up to date
Before looking for ways to distribute Wi-Fi, make sure that your particular laptop can distribute Wi-Fi. To do this, you need to check the presence of a wireless adapter in the design and drivers (special software for the correct operation of components). First, we recommend looking at the specification. In the "wireless" section, there should be an inscription Wi-Fi, which indicates the presence of a component.
Another option is to find your model in an online store. Go to the specifications tab, and then look for a similar section that describes the laptop's means of communication with the outside world. Dial the model clearly with all letters and numbers. Individual products have different configurations that differ in just a few parameters.
If the documentation is lost and the information could not be found on the Internet, use the device manager:
The second important point is the availability of drivers. With a seamless connection to Wi-Fi points, you can not update the driver. If you have problems, we advise you to install the latest version from the manufacturer. You can do this in two ways:
- go to the manufacturer's website yourself, specify your model and type of OS, download the installer, and then run it.
After installation, you need to restart your laptop. Check the Wi-Fi is working, connect to the point wirelessly. After all the described settings, you can distribute the Internet via a laptop.
Setting up Wi-Fi distribution through the command line
The command line will help connect a mobile gadget to the global "web" through a laptop. For beginners, this method will seem difficult and incomprehensible, however, if you follow the instructions given, the entire procedure is completed in 2-3 minutes. Let's find out how to distribute wifi using this method:
You can distribute Wi-Fi from a laptop in a similar way on Windows 7 and newer. Here you only need to enter commands correctly, while not making mistakes. If the method does not help, be sure to set up sharing. The following instruction allows you to do this:
Now try to connect to WLAN via mobile or tablet.
Using a .bat file
This method involves creating a special executable file with the .bat extension. The advantage is that it can be freely moved between computers, with just one click to activate the virtual router function. Some users do not show the file extension after the name. The following settings will help fix this:
Save it and close. When changing the name, change the permission to bat. As you can see, this file automatically launches the command line, creating a menu that responds to keystrokes on the keyboard. Through the menu, you can set parameters, enable/disable and exit the interface. With the help of a batch file, Internet distribution from a laptop is convenient. Place it on your desktop for quick access. You can even attach a memorable icon to it.
Connecting through the "Network and Sharing Center"
Another way to distribute Wi-Fi from a laptop is to use the Network Control Center. For this, the user does not have to use the command line, since all manipulations take place in the interface. Activation of the virtual Wi-Fi router is carried out according to the points:
Activate wifi on your phone. Try to join the created network using the previously entered password. Now you know all the ways to distribute Wi-Fi from a laptop to smartphones.
Using the Mobile Hotspot feature in Windows 10
This feature can only be used by owners of the Windows 10 operating system. However, there is a small caveat - this feature only appeared in Anniversary Build 1607. For older systems, you will need to upgrade or use another method. You can update through the "Update Center" or by downloading it yourself. To distribute the Internet using a mobile hotspot, do the following:
In some cases, the function will not work due to an IP address conflict. Try to set them manually or activate DHCP. For system errors, check Windows components for integrity. This utility is a good reason to switch to the "anniversary ten".
Using third party utilities
We examined all the methods of distributing Wi-Fi to other gadgets from a laptop using the operating system. If for some reason they do not suit you, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with popular programs that will help distribute the Internet.
Connectify
A convenient, compact and functional program that will help you distribute the Internet to your mobile phone without any headaches. Introduced a paid version with a short period of free use. Once it expires, delete it and then simply re-download it. The free days counter will be updated. To create a virtual modem through Connectify, follow the instructions:
A notification about the start of the program should appear in the tray. Check the functionality through your smartphone. Also active gadgets are shown in the Clients section.
MyPublicWifi
This is an analogue of the previous software. Its advantage is that it is completely free, but the interface is in English, which will create difficulties for some users. At the same time, even without knowledge of a foreign language, according to this instruction, you can easily set up your point on a laptop:
An additional advantage is that you can turn it on automatically every time you turn on your laptop through the application interface. Check the appropriate box in the Management tab. You can also enable the process of monitoring and recording parameters in a special log.
Often, in the circle of one family, it is necessary that several gadgets have access to the Internet at the same time, and it is not necessary to buy a router for this. Laptops can even be used as an Internet access point, that is, to replace a Wi-Fi router. At the same time, a similar function can be configured on almost every modern machine that has a Wi-Fi module. This functionality can be implemented in several ways.
The article discusses several ways, everyone will choose the best for themselves. It will be convenient for someone to install one of the programs necessary for this on a laptop, and for someone to use the standard Windows features. Read more about this below.
Distribution of Wi-Fi without additional software
You need to act according to the following scheme:
How to add the parameters of a new network to autoload?
So that you do not have to carry out the above steps every time you boot your laptop, you will need to save the wireless connection settings according to the following instructions:
After these steps, every time you turn on the laptop, you will not need to create a Wi-Fi point.
Third party Wi-Fi sharing software
There is a huge amount of software that allows you to carry out such procedures in just a couple of clicks. Consider the most affordable programs.The main advantage of this software product is its simplicity. You do not need to adjust anything, climb in system folders and documents - the program itself does all this for you. You can download it on the official resource of the developers, because it is free.
To launch Virtual Router Plus, simply click on the appropriate icon and a screen will appear in front of you where you specify the following information:
- The name of your Wi-Fi network.
- Password to access it.
- The connection over which the signal will be relayed.
This program is suitable for more advanced users who need the accuracy of setting up a Wi-Fi network from a laptop. You also need to specify certain information in it: the name of the point, the password, and also select the relayed connection. In addition, you can configure the mode of operation of your personal network. For example, it will turn off in sleep mode or continue to function even in it. The functionality also provides the ability to view a list of users who are connected to you. This software is also free.
The difference between this program and the previous one is that it does not support the interface in Russian.
A free version of the software is available. The advantage of the program is that it works great on all versions of the Windows operating system. It is used in the following program:
Once the program is installed, after restarting the laptop, it opens on behalf of the administrator. In a new window, you will need to specify the network name, a password of 8 or more characters, and the connection through which the Wi-Fi will be distributed. The final step is to click on the “Set up and Start Hotspot” button:
Do not buy such programs. As a rule, they have similar functionality to free software and are an exclusively commercial product that is aimed at making money on inexperienced users.
How to share Wi-Fi from a Mac laptop?
On laptops of the "apple brand" this procedure can be carried out somewhat easier using the built-in tools:- We go into the system settings and find the "Sharing" option in the list.
- In the column located in the upper left corner, click on "Shared Internet".
- In the window that appears, we carry out the initial adjustment of the connection. To do this, select the type of Internet connected directly to the laptop itself, as well as the distribution method, that is, Wi-Fi. Click "Wi-Fi Settings".
- In the window that appears, enter the name of the network, and also select the type of password protection - WPA2. After that, we specify a password consisting of a combination of symbols and numbers (at least 8 characters).
Video: 3 ways to distribute Wi-Fi
In the video instructions, you will clearly see three instructions for this operation:
The more tablets and smartphones appear, the more acute the question arises related to their connection to the World Wide Web using a computer or laptop. If there is a router at home, then there are no special problems here. All devices that are at home are connected to it and at the same time several family members can be on the Internet. What to do when there is no home router, but there is an urgent need to connect a smartphone or tablet to the Internet? This problem is quite easy to solve. It is enough to make your laptop, like a router, distribute Wi-Fi. In Windows 7 and Windows 8 programs, the developers initially put the necessary functionality for this into the operating system.
Available for laptop or PC 2 ways way out of this situation:
- You can use the built-in Windows tools.
- Using third-party programs that create a virtual router on a PC, laptop.
Distribution of Wi-Fi using the built-in tools of Windows
To do this, we need a wireless adapter. If not, then you can use a card that supports MS Virtual Wi-Fi technology. To date, all modern adapters support this technology.
Instructions for a laptop on distributing Wi-Fi
If you have done everything correctly and consistently, then you can connect a smartphone or tablet. But that is not all. Next, we will additionally need to enable and configure sharing. Here you need to take the following steps:
- Go to the properties of our network connection, and click on the button "Turn on Internet Connection Sharing".
- After that, click on the "Close" button.
Sharing enabled. It remains to make the necessary settings. To make them:
If you still have questions about how to set up Wi-Fi distribution from a laptop using the built-in Windows tools, watch the video below.
Distributing Wi-Fi from a laptop using the command line and "netsh"
And so, what should be done.
- At your discretion, in any text editor, it is best to use Notepad, create a new text file. In this file, you need to write the line:
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid="My_virtual_WiFi" key="12345678" keyUsage=persistent, where after the word "ssid" we write the identifier of our wireless network, and after the word "key" we write our password.
- We save the file with the line written in it.
- Next, change the extension of the above file. To do this, you need to right-click on this file. Then choose rename. Making a file extension instead .txt - .bat.
- Then we need to run the created and renamed file. Do not forget that you need to run it with administrator rights. Make it simple. Click on our file with the right mouse button. A small window opens in which we select the "Run as administrator" function.
- By running the file, we will begin installing the “Virtual Wi-Fi Adapter” driver, and in the network connections menu, if the above steps are correctly performed, a new “Wireless Network Connection” should appear.
At the next stage, we need to pass the network we are creating to the Internet. To do this you need:
- Go to the "Network and Sharing Center" and select the connection through which we are going to connect to the Internet. Here we select "Properties".
- Finding the access tab "netsh-wlan-start-hostednetwork-2" and check the box "Allow other network users to use this computer's Internet connection".
- We go further. In the "Home Network Connection" application, we find the new network connection we created and click on it, and then on the "OK" button.
- Your new Wi-Fi connection is ready to go. It remains only to run it.
- We launch using the command "netsh wlan start hostednetwork" . To stop it running, use the command "netsh wlan stop hostednetwork" . And in order to see the current state, use the command "netsh wlan show hostednetwork" .
If you still have questions about how to set up Wi-Fi distribution from a laptop using the command line, watch the video below.
Setting up Wi-Fi sharing using "Connectify"
Now let's consider, using the example of the Connectify program, how to install it and configure it for distributing Wi-Fi. This option for a laptop can be used as an alternative, in particular, if for some reason you could not start distribution using MS Virtual WiFi.
- At the initial stage, you will need to download and install the Connectify program on your laptop. On the Internet you will find two versions of this program: free (Free, despite the fact that its capabilities are limited, it is completely suitable for home use) and paid (PRO).
- Downloaded, installed, now we are launching the program. If you download a free program, which most likely will be, then you will not be able to change the SSID in any way, therefore, we skip this item in the window that opens. In the "Password" field, enter the password for your Wi-Fi.
- Then, in the "Internet to share" field, you will need to select the connection through which we can access the Internet. On the free version, don't even try to share 3G/4G, it still won't work.
- After that, go to the "Share Over" field. The Wi-Fi value should already be entered in it, and in the “Sharing Mode” select WPA2 and click on the “Start Hotspot” button.
- Now your laptop is fully configured for distribution. We connect other devices and enjoy their work.
If you still have questions about how to set up Wi-Fi distribution from a laptop with the Connectify program, watch the video below.
