If you're using Windows 10, you can turn your laptop into a wireless hotspot with just a few clicks as long as you already have the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. A macOS computer can also become a Wi-Fi hotspot and share its internet signal using built-in tools. If you are using Windows 7 or 8, use a free program called Virtual Router which can turn your computer into a wireless hotspot.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Windows 10
Step 1. Check the Windows 10 version
Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607) introduces the ability to turn a Windows 10 computer into a wireless hotspot without the help of additional software or a command prompt.
- Click the Start button or press Win.
- Type winver and press Enter.
- Check the entry " Version " (version). The version shown must be "1607" or later.
Step 2. Install Windows 10 Anniversary Update if the version is below 1607
This update is free, but takes 30-60 minutes to install. Visit the Windows 10 Anniversary Update page and click the "Get the Anniversary Update now" button. Follow the guide to download and install the update.
Step 3. Tap or click the Start button
After the Anniversary Update has finished installing, you can access the wireless hotspot from the Start menu.
If you're not careful, you can accidentally open the Search menu, which will take you to the wrong Settings menu. Make sure you tap or click the Start button in the lower-left corner of the screen
Step 4. Tap or click on “Settings” option
The location of this button is on the left side of the Start menu and is a gear icon.
Step 5. Tap or click "Network & Internet"
The network settings will then be displayed.
Step 6. Tap or click on “Mobile hotspot” option
This option is in the left menu. This menu will only be visible if the Anniversary Update is already installed on the computer and You have a wireless internet adapter (by now all laptops should have one).
Step 7. Tap or click "Edit" to change hotspot settings
You can change your first name and password to whatever you want. The name will appear on other devices in the "Available Networks" menu, and in order to enter that network, the user must enter the specified password.
You should choose a strong password, especially if it is in a public area
Step 8. Select the network connection you want to share
If the laptop is currently connected to the internet via Wi-Fi, select "Wi-Fi". If the laptop is connected to the network via an ethernet cable, select "Ethernet" from the menu.
Step 9. Turn on the "Mobile hotspot" slider
This step will activate the hotspot, which can accommodate up to eight other devices to connect to the laptop and access the internet. These devices will not have access to the files on the laptop.
Step 10. Connect other devices with hotspot
If the hotspot is active, all devices that support Wi-Fi can already connect to the network. You will be able to connect to Wi-Fi like any other wireless network. The associated network name is the name you entered earlier.
You can see the number of devices connected to the hotspot from the " Mobile hotspot " menu in the Settings menu
Method 2 of 3: Using macOS
Step 1. Connect the Mac computer to the network via Ethernet
The only way to turn your Mac into a wireless hotspot is to connect it to the network via ethernet. You cannot create a wireless network if you use a wireless adapter.
If your Mac doesn't have an Ethernet adapter, you will need a USB Ethernet dongle device
Step 2. Click the Apple menu
You'll find it in the upper-left corner of the screen.
Step 3. Click "System Preferences" (system preferences)
Step 4. Click the Sharing option
This menu is at the end of the third section of the System Preferences window.
If System Preferences doesn't open to the main menu, click the "Show All" button at the top of the window. This button has 12 small dots
Step 5. Highlight the "Internet Sharing" option
The " Internet Sharing " option can be found at the bottom of the " Services " list on the left side of the window. Don't check the box yet, just highlight the "Internet Sharing" menu option.
Step 6. Click the "Share your connection from" menu
When you do, the various network connections on your Mac will appear.
Step 7. Click "Ethernet" in the menu
This option will set Internet Sharing to share your ethernet connection with other devices.
- The device may display another " Ethernet " name, depending on the Mac model you are using.
- "Ethernet" will not disappear if there is no cable connected to the computer. You cannot share a wireless network connection without using a cable.
Step 8. Check "Wi-Fi" in the "To computer using" list
This step will allow other devices to connect to the hotspot via Wi-Fi.
Step 9. Click the "Wi-Fi Options" button
This step allows you to change the hotspot settings.
Step 10. Set a wireless network name and password
This information will be needed when other devices try to connect to your network.
Step 11. Check the box next to "Internet Sharing"
" This will turn on your Mac's new wireless hotspot so other devices can connect to it.
Step 12. Connect other devices
Once your wireless hotspot is active, you can connect it to other devices. The new network will appear in the list of available networks near the device, and if the password is correct, the device will be able to access the internet from that network.
These other devices will not be able to access the files on your computer
Method 3 of 3: Using Windows 7 and 8
Step 1. Open virtualrouter.codeplex.com in a web browser
Virtual Router is a free, open source program that will turn a laptop's wireless network into a wireless hotspot. You don't even need a separate network connection to share it.
- Avoid a program called Virtual Router Plus. This program is loaded with adware and can damage the computer system. Just download Virtual Router from virtualrouter.codeplex.com.
- Virtual Router does not work with Windows 10.
Step 2. Click the " download " button (download)
The Virtual Router installer file will begin downloading. The download should only take a few minutes.
Step 3. Double-click the installer file
Run the program once downloaded to start the Virtual Router installation. You can find it in the Downloads folder or in the Downloads section of your browser.
Step 4. Follow the guide to install Virtual Router
You can leave the settings at their defaults.
Step 5. Click the Start button
Once the program is installed, you will be able to open Virtual Router from the Start menu.
Step 6. Click "Virtual Router Manager"
This program is in the Start menu after the Virtual Router is installed on the computer.
Step 7. Enter the network name
You can change the network name to whatever you want. This name will appear on other devices in the list of available networks.
Step 8. Create a password
The password will help protect the network from unwanted connections. Other device users will need to enter a password to be able to connect to your network.
Step 9. Click the "Shared Connection" menu
Your available network connections will be displayed.
Step 10. Select an active network connection
Select the internet connection that the laptop accepts via the "Shared Connection" menu. This step will ensure that the connected device can access your internet connection.
Step 11. Click "Start Virtual Router"
" This will start a new wireless hotspot, and allow other devices to connect to the network.
Step 12. Connect other devices on your new network
Other devices that have wireless capability will be able to see your network in the list of available networks. Select a network and enter the password created a few steps earlier. This step allows the device to connect to the computer and access the associated wireless network.
Connected devices will not be able to see the files on your computer
Step 13. Troubleshoot with Virtual Router
Since Virtual Router is not an official program, there are several things that can cause it to not work:
- Try rebooting the computer, especially if it hasn't been done since you installed the Virtual Router.
- Make sure you have the latest drivers for the laptop wireless adapter. See Find-and-Update-Drivers for further instructions.
- If you get an error that says "group or resource is not in the correct state to perform the requested operation ", download and install the fix from Microsoft.
- Make sure you are not using Windows XP, Vista, or 10. Virtual Router can only work on Windows 7 and 8. This program also does not support Windows 7 Starter.
