Unfortunately, not all users know that in Windows operating systems, starting from the seventh modification (except for the Starter version), the technology for creating a WiFi access point using the systems themselves is implemented. This is the so-called software emulation technology called Software Access Point. Indeed, if a user has only one computer or laptop that uses a wired connection to access the Internet, and not a connection through a router, the terminal can be made like a router that will give out a signal so that other devices (both computer and computer) can connect to it. mobile).
What is a WiFi hotspot in Windows 7 or other OS
As it is already clear, in this case, an access point is understood as a “hardware” device or software module that has an Internet connection and is capable of distributing a wireless signal in order to be used by other devices. In fact, a desktop computer or laptop acts as a router, of course, provided that they have a built-in orconnected external Wi-Fi transmitter. However, a laptop as a WiFi access point can both receive and distribute the Internet. In this case, it turns out that the terminal also acts as a repeater.
It is not necessary for the dispenser to have only a wired connection. With equal success, you can use a wireless connection through a router or 3G / 4G. But why then turn the same laptop into another router? Quite successfully, such manipulations are used in situations where the router gives out too weak a signal. In a similar way, it is quite elementary to increase the number of simultaneously connected devices, one part of which will access the Internet through a router, and the second through a computer terminal or laptop. Of course, this does not look very convenient, especially in terms of using different passwords for connections. But who's stopping you from using the same combination for access? Moreover, it is set arbitrarily when organizing connections of this type.
Checking network support
Before creating a WiFi hotspot on a Windows laptop, you need to make sure that the computer system has the appropriate adapter and its drivers are installed correctly, which ensures support for the created hosted network.
You can check these options on the command line by typing the line shown in the image above. The support field must be set to "Yes". If the user sees a negative answer there, it is necessaryreinstall or update device drivers. In this case, it is advisable not to use Windows tools (“Device Manager”), but to re-install or update using special programs like DriverPack Solution or Driver Booster. If a specific adapter from a little-known manufacturer is installed in the system, and the above applications will not find the corresponding driver, you can use the search for the necessary control software by special identifiers VEN and DEV, which can be found in the hardware ID on the details tab in the properties of the adapter called in the "Dispatcher devices.”
After copying the longest line with identifiers, which specifies the information on the device to the greatest extent, you need to paste it on a special website with drivers in the search field, and then download and install the required driver yourself.
How to create a WiFi hotspot on Windows: the easiest solutions
Now let's go directly to the applied solutions that allow us to perform the procedures we need in a completely simple and as fast as possible. As the main methods for creating a WiFi access point, it is customary to use the following:
- entering special commands in the command console (the fastest method);
- activate hotspot via mobile hotspot (Windows 10 only);
- using third party programs.
In principle, all three solutions are quite simple, and apply them, independing on the specific situation, every user can, even those who are not particularly versed in such network settings.
Using the command line
And first, let's see how to create a WiFi hotspot through the command console. It goes without saying that it is initially necessary to run it exclusively with admin rights. In Windows 7, you can use the Run console and the cmd command using the start point with admin rights, create the corresponding task in the Task Manager, or run the cmd.exe executable file via PCM from the System32 folder.
In the tenth modification of the system, you can use the RMB menu on the Start button or search and select the appropriate startup type.
After that, enter the command shown above in the console, where NAME is an arbitrarily specified name of the access point (network), XXXXXXXX is the user's password for entering.
The next step is to enter the command of another command, just activating the distribution directly.
After its execution, a stationary terminal or laptop will immediately start distributing a signal, but it is not yet possible to connect to the distribution from other devices.
At the next step, in order for the WiFi hotspot to become available to other devices, you need to share it.
This is done in the network connections section,where the properties of the created connection are selected, and on the access tab the necessary points of permissions for connecting other users are marked.
If for some reason it is required to stop the distribution, a command similar to the above is entered in the console, only with the stop operator instead of start. The very first command can be reused when you need to change the network name or password.
Mobile hotspot (Windows 10 only)
In the tenth modification of Windows, the WiFi access point is even easier to create. To do this, the system itself has a unique tool called a hot spot.
The easiest way to get to its parameters is through the menu called by a simple click on the notification icon located in the right corner of the system tray. But this will only include distribution. If you need to change the settings, right-click on the tile itself and go to the appropriate settings.
By and large, nothing needs to be changed in the options. You can only give permission for remote activation or change the access password that the operating system generates on its own.
Popular third-party utilities
Now let's see how to make a WiFi access point using third-party programs specially created for this. There are a lot of such applications developed today, however, among the most popular and simplest, one can single out such software products as:
- Switch Virtual Router;
- Connectify;
- Virtual Router Manager;
- MyPublicWiFi and more
Switch Virtual Router Program
This small application is, by and large, a tool that duplicates the capabilities of the operating system itself, but in some ways makes it easier to use.
In the running application, you must first go to the basic settings by pressing the button with the image of a gear in the lower right corner, and enter the necessary data there (network name, password, etc.). After saving the settings in network connections, a new connection will appear (not yet active). In the main window of the application, now you need to press the start button, after which the connection status will change. To enable Internet sharing through the connection icon menu in the system tray, you need to select the adapter you are using and enable sharing for it.
Connectify app
The WiFi access point in this program is created no less simply. What is most interesting, this application can emulate both an access point and a physical router, even if it is not there.
All procedures come down to just setting the connection name, password and pressing the button to activate it (Start Hotspot).
Note: for the application to work correctly, the. NET Framework version 3.5 or higher must be installed on the system.
Possible mistakes and the simplest methods for themtroubleshooting
As for errors and failures, when it is impossible to connect to the created point, for starters, just restart the distributing computer, and at the same time check if the wireless adapter itself is enabled (both physically and in the "Device Manager"). If the adapter doesn't work, try reinstalling the drivers. If the created point works, but it is impossible to connect to it, disable the antivirus and firewall and check the connection. In the case when there is access, but the sites do not open on the Internet, check if the Internet is available on the distributing terminal and if the distributing adapter is set to public access.
Summary of results
Finally, if we draw a line under all of the above, we should probably decide on the simplest means of organizing the distribution of a wireless signal. What to choose from all this? It seems that the owners of the tenth version of Windows do not need to go far. The hot spot will fully provide you with everything you need. For other systems, you can use the command line, but in order not to call it every time, you can make an executable batch file with the BAT extension based on the distribution enable command, place it, for example, on the “Desktop”, and start the connection through it. If you don’t like such options, please, there are plenty of programs for quick activation of the access point on the Internet today in the public domain.
