How To Use A Computer As A Wireless Router?

The main function of a Wi-Fi router is to transfer the Internet data packets without any network traffic. A Windows computer can share its Internet to other devices with the help of the Wi-Fi adapter and Internet Connection Sharing feature. Are you looking for the quick steps to turn your computer into a wireless router? Then refer to the below-mentioned steps on how to use a computer as a wireless router.

For Windows 10:

Step 1:Before you begin the steps to turn your Windows 10 computer into a Wi-Fi hotspot, update it to the latest version.

Step 2:Make sure that you have connected the computer properly to the local wireless network.

Step 3:Open the Settings window by pressing the Windows + I shortcut keys.

Step 4:Alternatively, click the Windows logo at the bottom-left corner of the screen and click the Settings icon to open Windows Settings.

Step 5:On the Windows Settings screen, click on Network & Internet.

Step 6:Navigate to the left-side panel and click the Mobile hotspot tab.

Step 7:On the Mobile hotspot screen, toggle on the Share my Internet connection with other devices button.

Step 8:If you wish to change the default network name and password, click the Edit button.

Step 9:In the Edit network info window, enter your network name in the Network name field.

Step 10:Enter a password in the Network password field.

Step 11:Click the Save button and save the configured settings.

Step 12:Now, you can connect any Wi-Fi device to the Windows 10 computer’s Wi-Fi hotspot.

Step 13:Follow these steps on how to use a computer as a wireless router.

For Windows 7:

Step 1:Connect your Windows 7 to a local wireless network using a standard Ethernet cable.
Step 2:Click the Start menu and type 'wireless' in the search panel.
Step 3:Press the Enter key and select the Manage Wireless Networks option from the search result.
Step 4:In the Manage Wireless Networks window, click the Add button and select Create an ad hoc network.
Step 5:Type the network name and password for the wireless network.
Step 6:After creating the network, select it and click the Sharing tab in the Wireless Network Connection Properties window.
Step 7:Enable the 'Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection' checkbox to share the Internet connection.
Step 8:Click the OK button and start connecting other devices to your computer’s Internet.
Step 9:Perform these steps on how to use a computer as a wireless router.

For Windows 8:

Step 1:On your Windows 8 computer, launch the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows + R shortcut keys.
Step 2:Type 'ncpa.cpl' in the text field and press the Enter key.
Step 3:In the Network Connections window, give a right-click on the wireless network adapter and select the Properties option from the pop-up menu.
Step 4:Click the Sharing tab and enable the 'Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection' checkbox.
Step 5:Click OK and open the Command Prompt app with administrator rights.
Step 6:Type 'netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid="" key=" "' in the Command Prompt window (enter your network name instead of SSID and network key instead of PASSWORD) and hit the Enter key.
Step 7:Type 'netsh wlan start hostednetwork' and press Enter.
Step 8:Type 'netsh wlan show hostednetwork' and hit the Enter key.
Step 9:Close the Command Prompt window.
Step 10:Now, a new ad-hoc network will be created and you can connect any Wi-Fi device to the computer.
Step 11:By using these steps on how to use a computer as a wireless router.