Is it possible to use a laptop as a wifi router? Using apps

Twitter

The use of a router for distributing Internet access at home today can already be called an axiom. This connection is via WiFi, unlike cellular communications, provides free high-speed Internet access for all mobile devices, including laptops, smartphones and tablets.

However, in some cases, for example, in a rented apartment or in a dormitory, it is not always advisable to purchase a router, and it is quite possible to use a laptop as a translator.

Of course, such a solution imposes some restrictions, including low signal power, which means the range is significantly shorter. Nevertheless, this is a solution to the problem, and we will tell you how to implement it in practice.

We distribute the Internet using the capabilities of Windows

In Windows 7 and Windows 10, developers have provided the function of creating virtual router, however, activating it is somewhat more difficult than it is organized, for example, on smartphones running Android OS. There, just activate the “Access Point” function in the menu, set a password - and Internet distribution is started.

What should I do to do this on Windows? Note that the methods for distributing WiFi in Windows 7 and Windows 10 are significantly different, and in the latter case everything is much simpler. Therefore, let’s start with setting up a virtual router in Windows 7, and then we’ll tell you how to enable everything in “Ten”.

Most of the configuration methods described in the Network in Windows 7 relate to organizing a virtual Wi-Fi network in the menu “Network and Sharing Center | Creating and setting up a new connection or network.” The main thing here is the item “Setting up a wireless computer-to-computer network.” Everything would be fine, but the trouble is that in some Windows versions There is simply no such item, and users are at a dead end.

But there is a way out! We will tell you how to distribute WiFi from a laptop using the command line and using third party utilities. Believe me, it's not difficult at all.

So, in Windows 7, in the Start menu, type “cmd” in the search and run it with administrator rights. In the window that opens, enter the command:

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid="WiFiNout" key="Test5678" keyUsage=persistent

Where WiFiNout is an example of the name of the Wi-Fi network being created, and the parameter Test5678- an example of a password (key) for the network, which you can set at your discretion.

After confirming the operation, you must activate the virtual wireless network. You can do this using the command:

After executing this command, the laptop starts distributing WiFi network. But we still have to organize access to it for your devices. To do this, click right click mouse over the network icon in the Windows tray and select context menu"Network and Sharing Center."

In the window that opens, select “Change adapter settings” from the menu on the left. A list of available ones will open. network connections, among which a new one appeared with the name “WiFiNout”.

To organize access to the Internet from this network, we need to allow it in our current cable connection. To do this, right-click on the wired connection icon and select “Properties” from the context menu.

A window with connection parameters will open, in which, on the “Access” tab, check the box “Allow other network users to use the Internet connection” of this computer" and select the network we created below.

After this, it is advisable to restart the computer. After the reboot, for the laptop to start distributing the network, you will need to reactivate it in the command line with the command:

netsh wlan start hostednetwork

To stop Wi-Fi broadcasting, use the command:

netsh wlan stop hostednetwork

Enable Internet sharing in Windows 10

To enable Wi-Fi distribution in Windows 10, developers have added a separate function - “ Mobile hotspot" To activate it, open the “Settings” section in the “Start” menu and click on the “Network and Internet” icon.

A window with network-related settings will open. Here in the left menu find the item “ Mobile point hotspot" and click on it. Now, in the right field you will see the current parameters of your future wireless network, its name and network password. Set the names and network key that suit you.

If you do not want someone to be able to enable Wi-Fi distribution remotely via Blutooth, then disable this function in this window.

You can now activate your wireless network. To do this, click on the switches at the top of the settings window. In order for devices connected via a Wi-Fi network to gain access to the Internet, you will need to give access to the newly created network, as we indicated above, by going to the “Adapter settings” menu (top right in the same window) and setting up access in the cable properties connections.

IN in this case, this is network number 13. For devices to be able to connect, restart your PC.

We distribute the Internet using the Connectify utility

A small utility called Connectify has free version and it is quite enough to distribute the Internet from a laptop when connected via cable connection. To activate the Internet connection function via USB adapter mobile operator 3G and 4G, you will need to buy the program (2650 rubles).

You can download the utility from the program website. After installing the virtual router, you will be briefly introduced to the configuration options, after which you can begin launching Wi-Fi distribution.

You will need to select the network adapter through which the laptop connects to the Internet and set your own password.

To activate the broadcast, click the button at the bottom of the program window - “Start Hotspot access point.”

Today, almost everyone has at least one mobile device, be it a smartphone, tablet or reader. The easiest way to connect to the network is using a router. However, what to do if you don’t have a router at hand, but you need the Internet? In this case, you can distribute WiFi from a laptop with Windows 7 or more installed. later versions. All steps described in this guide also apply to personal computers with a wireless adapter.

Windows Standard Tools

Microsoft has implemented a convenient way to create WiFi connections between two devices. This method is relevant for most modern network cards and adapters. Unfortunately, this function was not available in Windows XP and it will not be possible to distribute Wi-Fi on a laptop in this way.

Now your mobile device will be able to see the network created on the laptop and connect to it in the usual way, like to a router.

Virtual Router

Open utility source code Virtual Router or Virtual Router Plus allows you to almost instantly create a new WiFi network to which smartphones and tablets can connect. You can download the program from the official website of the developer http://virtualrouter.codeplex.com/. Just follow the link and click on the purple Download button on the right side of the page. This method is relevant for outdated Windows XP, but for correct operation Requires .Net Framework installed.

Install the utility following the Install Wizard prompts and run. You will see a small window with two fields to fill out. Opposite the SSID, enter the name of the future WiFi connection, and in the Password line, enter the password. In the Shared Connections column, select which connection you will distribute and click the Start button.

Thus, in just a couple of minutes you get a fully working wireless network distributed from your laptop. The software works on any version of Windows OS.

MyPublicWiFi

Another small free program with good functionality. Like the previous example, it is easy to use and does not require lengthy setup and is valid for any version of Windows.

The capabilities of this software are somewhat wider than the previous one: with its help you can view the list of clients that have joined the server or impose restrictions on the speed transferred from the laptop.

If you need to share the Internet between several gadgets, but don't have a router at hand, you can do without it. These instructions will help turn your computer into a router for distributing the Internet via an access point ( Wi-Fi network) or Ethernet wire.

1. How to distribute the Internet from a computer using the “Mobile hotspot” function (Windows 10 only)

1. Find the Mobile Hotspot menu: select Start → Settings (gear) → Network and Internet → Mobile Hotspot.

2. In the field " Sharing Internet connections" select the type of connection that provides communication current computer with the Internet. It could be wireless connection Wi-Fi (or 3G) or Ethernet.

3. Click “Change” and in the next window, specify the name and password for the new wireless network through which the computer will distribute.

4. At the top of the page, enable the option “Allow the use of my Internet connection on other devices.”

After this, you will be able to distribute the Internet through the created Wi-Fi network. Just connect to it necessary devices using the password created in the third step. And you can turn off Internet distribution in the same place where wireless communication is turned off - in the “Network” window on the taskbar.

1. Launch Command Prompt. To do this, enter “Command” in the system search, right-click on the found element and select “Run as administrator.”

2. To create new network for distribution, enter in the line netsh command wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=Stacy key=4419E1z# and press Enter. Instead of Stacy, you can enter any other network name, and instead of 4419E1z# - any other password.

3. To activate the created access point, enter the command netsh wlan start hostednetwork and press Enter again. If the commands worked, you will see the following text.

4. Now allow other users to access the Internet through the created network. First, open the Windows Control Panel and select Network and Sharing Center.

5. Then right-click on the icon for connecting your computer to the Internet, select “Properties” → “Access” and check the boxes next to permission requests. In the "Connection" field home network» select wireless connection, created in the second step of the instructions.

After this, you will be able to connect other devices to the Wi-Fi network configured in this way using specified password. To disable the access point, enter netsh wlan stop hostednetwork at the command prompt. To re-enable it, use netsh wlan start hostednetwork .

If the Internet does not work on the connected devices, open the “Device Manager” menu through the “Control Panel”, expand the “Network adapters” item and check that all devices from this list are turned on. If you find inactive ones among them, enable them using the context menu.

If you experience other problems, try reinstalling the drivers network adapter manually by downloading them from the manufacturer’s website, or automatically using the Driver Booster program or service. The latter will do everything for you.

If you don't want to mess around with the command line, you can use special utility For quick setup wireless point access. With free Connectify program You can handle Hotspot in a few minutes.

Download and install Connectify Hotspot.
Launch the program and follow the on-screen prompts. The Russian interface language can be selected in the settings. The utility will ask you to set the type of computer connection to the Internet and the parameters of the new wireless network. After this, all you have to do is click on the start button to activate the access point.

When you're done, you can distribute the Internet to other devices via Wi-Fi. You can manage your wireless network directly in the program window.

Connectify Hotspot also has paid version With additional functions. For example, it allows you to distribute not only landline internet via Wi-Fi, but also 3G and 4G. Hotspot Pro costs $35.

Connect the Ethernet ports of both devices with a cable.
On the computer from which you want to distribute the Internet, open the “Control Panel” and go to the “Network and Sharing Center” → “Change adapter settings” section. Titles in different versions Windows may vary.
In the window that opens, select Ctrl key two connections. The first should be responsible for connecting your computer to the Internet. The second is for connecting a second computer to this one. Right-click on either of the two connections and select “Bridge Settings.”

After a few seconds, a new connection called “Network Bridge” should appear, and the status “Connected, Linked” should appear next to the used connections. If everything goes well, the Internet will work on the second computer. But this may not happen immediately, but after 10–15 minutes.

In macOS it is quite easy to set up Internet sharing, both via cable and . You don't need any additional programs for this.

Expand apple menu and go to the section " System Settings» → “Sharing”.
Check the box " Shared Internet" in the left panel and indicate in the "General connection" list on the right side of the window the type of connection of the current computer to the Internet. For example, if it is connected to the Network via cable, select Ethernet.
In the "For computers using" field, select a method public access to the Internet for other devices. For example, if you want to distribute the Internet wirelessly, choose Wi-Fi; if via cable, then choose Ethernet.

If you selected Wi-Fi, uncheck “Internet Sharing”, click “ Wi-Fi Settings" and set the name and password of the access point, then check the "Internet Sharing" checkbox again.

After making these settings, you can connect other devices to your computer using the selected method.

Android has built-in tools for distributing mobile traffic via a Wi-Fi adapter. Setting them up is not difficult, so in order to distribute Wi-Fi with Android phone or Android tablet, no special skills or applications required.

Setting up modem mode

If you know how to distribute the Internet from a PC to Android, you will quickly understand the technology that makes it possible to distribute the Internet from Android to other devices. In the case of a computer, a router is used to which a cable is connected. After a short setup, the router begins to distribute Wi-Fi indoors, so that the laptop, personal computer(if adapter is available wireless communication), tablet and phone can access the Internet without a wired connection.

In the case of distributing the Internet from a tablet or Android phone, a router is not needed. Its functions are performed by a built-in Wi-Fi adapter, which, after turning on the modem mode, begins to transmit mobile traffic. To understand how to distribute WiFi from Android to a laptop and other devices, let's look at how to enable modem mode using the TouchWiz shell from Samsung as an example:

Please note: when tethering mode is enabled, the smartphone cannot use Wi-Fi to access the Internet. The adapter begins to work as a router, and access to the network can only be obtained through mobile traffic. After turning on mobile traffic, you can assume that the Wi-Fi network is distributed throughout the room. from any device with a Wi-Fi adapter (tablet, laptop, PC):

In the settings of the phone from which Wi-Fi is distributed, a notification will appear indicating who is connected to the network. If you see that another device that you did not connect yourself is using the point, block access for it and change the password in the network settings. To stop distributing traffic, just turn off the modem mode or disable Mobile Internet on the phone.

Other ways to distribute mobile traffic

Information on how to distribute Wi-Fi from an Android phone will not help only if the other device does not have a wireless network adapter. This primarily applies to PCs, which are usually connected to the router wired connection. This drawback can be eliminated in two ways:

Buy an external adapter, and then the information on how to distribute WiFi will become relevant again.
Use a different connection type.

The second method is supported by the fact that Android settings There is necessary tools to establish a different type of connection - Bluetooth modem and UBS modem. When using the first technology, the PC must have bluetooth adapter, and to operate a USB modem you only need a cable and a free USB port.

There are no significant differences in setting up the connection from Wi-Fi distribution. To establish a connection via Bluetooth:

Turn on mobile internet on your phone.
Open settings, go to the “More” section (“Other networks”).
Select "Modem Mode". Click on the “Bluetooth modem” item.

To connect to the Internet on a PC, you need to enable searching and adding a new device via Bluetooth. When the phone is found, a window with an 8-digit access code will appear on the screen, and Android OS will prompt you to pair the devices. After pairing, open the “Devices and Printers” settings section on your computer, right-click on the phone icon and select connection via an access point.

Bluetooth modem shows the most low speed data transfer, so it is recommended to use a USB connection instead.

Enable mobile traffic on Android.
Go to the network settings and select the “USB modem” mode.
Go to the control panel and find the connection in the list of connections. local network. Right-click on it and select Enable.

Home wireless networks are very convenient nowadays, since thanks to internal Wi-Fi we can connect any device equipped with a Wi-Fi module to the Internet. What if you don’t have a router at hand? How to configure a laptop to distribute Wi-Fi and use it as an access point?

Preparing the laptop

It’s worth immediately answering a fairly common question that worries more and more laptop users: can a laptop distribute Wi-Fi? The answer is simple: yes, any wireless adapter works to receive and transmit data. This means that the same wireless adapter is capable of receiving and also distributing the Internet via Wi-Fi.

Update network drivers, in particular for the Wi-Fi module, is the first place to start.

Find and download the right one software You can always go to the official website of your laptop manufacturer. In addition, you need to immediately set up sharing. This is done quite simply.

Find wifi icon in the field of system Windows notifications(the so-called system tray - the area to the right of the clock and date). Click on this icon and go to the network control center.

A window will open. Here you need to go to the “Edit” section Extra options public access."

Thus, we have opened a menu in which you can configure sharing for remote devices. Now all that remains is to enable sharing in all points. Here we cancel password-protected sharing. Click “Apply”.

That's it, now you can proceed directly to setting up Internet distribution via Wi-Fi from your laptop. There are three ways to do this:

Via the command line.
Create a wireless computer-to-computer connection.
Through Virtual program Router Plus - you need to download and install it.

Each of the options proposed above has its own advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, depending on what goals you are pursuing, you should choose the method of organizing the distribution.

For example, the second option allows you to create a wireless network only for computers; smartphones and tablets will not be able to connect to it. This network is intended only for laptops and netbooks, as well as desktop computers With installed Wi-Fi modules. So, let's take a closer look at all these options.

Setting up distribution on the command line

Wi-Fi distribution is configured only in the command line launched as administrator (has full access to the system). In Windows 7, launching it is very simple: open the Start menu (you can just click Windows key or click on the corresponding icon at the bottom left of the desktop). Next, write CMD in the search bar. Above you will see the search results. Find in the list of options provided CMD line. That's what it is command line. Click on it with the mouse and select “Run as administrator”.

In Windows 8, running Command Prompt as an administrator is even easier. To do this, you can use the key combination +[X]. A pop-up menu will open. Select “Command Prompt (Administrator)”.

Now you need to enter two simple commands:

The command for organizing distribution is netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=My_virtual_Wi-Fi key=12345678 keyUsage=persistent. After writing, press “Enter”. Here SSID=My_Virtual_Wi-Fi is the network name. Instead of “My_Virtual_Wi-Fi” you can write any other name. In this case, you can only use letters of the English alphabet. KEY-12345678 is the password. Instead of the numbers 12345678, you can write any other password. It may consist of letters of the English alphabet (including capital ones) or numbers.
For start virtual distribution enter – netsh wlan start hostednetwork and press “Enter”.

The connection has been created. Now you can group any devices - smartphones, tablets, other computers and laptops, TV, printer, and so on. But for now you do not have access to the Internet.

To open access to global network, you need to make some settings on the distributing computer. This is configured in the Network Control Center. Open the tool and go to the “Change adapter settings” section.

Find your internet connection here. It may be a wireless or cable connection, or a USB modem. Right-click on the Internet connection method and select “Properties”.

Go to the "Access" tab. Here you need to set the marker in the line “Allow to use the Internet connection of this computer.”

Now go to the “Connection” item home group" Here you should select our created network (usually it is called “Wireless network connection 2"). If there is no such line, then simply check the box and click “Ok”. That's it, period. Wi-Fi access created on the laptop, and all connected users will have access to the Internet.

How to create a Wi-Fi hotspot in Windows 8 from the command line: Video

Creating a computer-to-computer connection

As mentioned above, this method distribution will only work for laptops and other computers equipped with a Wi-Fi adapter. So, launch Network and Sharing Center. In the "Change" section network parameters“Select the first item, which is called “Set up a new connection or network.”

In the line “Network name” write the name virtual connection. You need to come up with it yourself. But it is always worth remembering that the name can only include english letters and some symbols such as underscore or hyphen.

Security type – “WPA2-Personal”. This is the most secure type of encryption. Below, in the “Security Key” line, enter the password (come up with it yourself). After that, check the box in the “Save network settings” line and click “Next”.

After that, we set up general access and allow Internet connection. How to do this is described above. Remember that the distributing computer itself must be connected to virtual network. Otherwise, other devices simply will not find it.

The disadvantage of this method is that only computers can connect to such a network. Moreover, you will not be able to receive the Internet via Wi-Fi. That is, in order for users of such a virtual network to be able to access the Internet, you will need cable connection or USB modem.

Distributing Wi-Fi from a computer without a router: Video

Using Virtual Router Plus

This distribution method is the second way to distribute Wi-Fi from a laptop to a phone. Its advantage is that users do not need to configure anything. However, you will have to find the utility on the Internet and download it, and then install it on your computer.

After the first launch of the program, you just need to enter the name of the virtual network and the password for it (come up with it yourself). After this, indicate your Internet connection or simply click the “Update” button in the form of two opposite arrows.

That's it, after this the network will be created and you will be able to fully use it. Essentially, this program uses built-in tools, just like the command line. But the application is much easier to set up.

Now you know how to make your laptop a Wi-Fi hotspot. Moreover, you know three different ways. Be careful when setting up sharing and distribution, and you will succeed.

Installing and configuring Virtual Router Plus: Video

I work privately computer technician. I have been repairing computers professionally for over 12 years, as an amateur since the 90s.
Worked as a manager for two years service center, specializing in connecting subscribers to the Internet and computer assistance.