How to turn your laptop into a Wi-Fi router or hotspot
This article is a step by step guide for those who want to use their laptop, having an internet connection, as a Wi-Fi hotspot to connect to other devices via an ad hoc network connection for the purpose of sharing files as well as the internet connection. Go through this article and learn how to make your Laptop a Wi-Fi hotspot to share the internet connection.
These days, many of the devices especially tablet PC's, support Wi-Fi connectivity which can be used to connect to the internet through a laptop (having an internet connection). So, if you are having a Windows 7 laptop which has the facility of Wi-Fi connectivity, you can share your internet connection with other Wi-Fi enables devices i.e. tablets, smartphones and other laptops. This facility is available in many Android smartphones and tablets, which may act as a Wi-Fi hotspot to share their internet connection with other devices.
Leaving these default devices aside, I am here, along with this article to help you make your Wi-Fi enabled laptop a personal hotspot and connect with other devices via ad hoc networking. So to start with, you will just require the following two devices:
• WiFi enabled Laptop with a working internet connection (recommended: Broadband internet connection).
• Other device (tablet or laptop) to be connected with it.How to create the ad hoc network connection?
The ad hoc connection works exactly like a WLAN, connecting many devices to share an internet connection. Following are the simple steps to create an ad hoc connection to share files or internet connection via WiFi:
Step 1: Switch on your laptop. Make sure that you have turned on your Wi-Fi feature and go to the Start menu.
Step 2: Then click on the option of Control panel on the right side of the Start menu panel.
Step 3: After this, go to the Network and Internet menu where you will see 3 options viz Network and Sharing center, Home group and Internet options. Click on the first available option i.e. Network and Sharing center.
Step 4: A new window will open where you can see the option of 'Manage wireless networks', click on it. Then you will be directed to another window where you need to click on the 'Add' option and then the 'Create an ad hoc network' option on other menu window.
Step 5 (Final): Now proceed to the further options and give your network a name you like and also a security key to make the connection authentic. [You can also make your connection open to all by selecting the option of 'no authentication (open)']
That is it. Now anyone can trace your connection like a Wi-Fi router and if you have set your connection open to all, anyone can now connect to the internet through your laptop and also can share files with you. If you have set a security key for your network, the person who wants to connect with your network will have to give that key and authenticate his/her network for a secure connection.
Note: This connection needs security so that no one can steal your connection. Hacking/stealing of connection usually occurs when you select the open type network with no security key. So, it is recommended that you should set a strong key for the connection to make its fully secure.
Great instructions. Very clear! But what about the same in Windows 8? There is no 'Manage wireless networks' option. Can it still be done?