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How to Turn Your Windows Laptop Into a Wi-Fi Hotspot

Share your Windows laptop's internet with your other devices

By Melanie Uy Melanie Uy Writer Queens College Harvard University Extension School Former Lifewire writer Melanie Uy has 5+ years' experience writing about consumer-oriented technology and is an expert telecommuter. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 30, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Home Networking The Wireless Connection Routers & Firewalls Network Hubs ISP Broadband Ethernet Installing & Upgrading Wi-Fi & Wireless

What to Know

Open Connectify > select Try it Out > Get Started with Lite > Wi-Fi Hotspot > Internet to Share > pick network.Next: Select Network Access > Routed > enter Hotspot Name > set password > set Ad Blocker > Start Hotspot. This article explains how to turn a PC running Windows 7 or later into a Wi-Fi hotspot using Connectify. You can also share your internet connection using the built-in functionality of Windows or macOS.

How to Make a Free Hotspot With Connectify

To turn your PC into Wi-Fi hotspot with Connectify: Download Connectify, install it on your computer, then reboot the computer to finish the installation. Connectify is free to download, but there is a premium version available that includes extra features. Open Connectify, select Try it Out, then select Get Started with Lite. Select the Wi-Fi Hotspot tab. Select the Internet to Share dropdown arrow and choose your Wi-Fi network. Select the Network Access dropdown arrow and choose Routed. In the Hotspot Name text box, enter a descriptive name. With the free version of Connectify, only the text after "Connectify-" can be changed. Create a secure password for the hotspot. The network is encrypted with WPA2-AES encryption so the password can be anything. Select or clear the Ad Blocker check box based on your personal preference. Select Start Hotspot to share the internet connection over Wi-Fi. The Connectify icon on the taskbar changes from gray to blue. Other wireless devices can now access your personal hotspot using the network name and password you specified in the steps above. If Connectify has problems with your wireless adapter, update the device drivers.

How to Use Connectify

To see who has connected to your hotspot, go to Clients > Connected to my Hotspot. From here, you can monitor the upload and download traffic of the devices connected to the hotspot. Right-click any device to rename how it's listed, disable its access to the internet, disable its access to the computer hosting the hotspot, copy the IP address, or change its gaming mode (for example, to the Xbox network or Nintendo Network). To stop sharing the connection, go to the Wi-Fi Hotspot tab and select Stop Hotspot. Your hotspot settings are saved so that you can quickly start the hotspot again in the future. If you pay for Connectify Hotspot MAX, you can also use the Wi-Fi hotspot tool to extend the wireless internet in your house. Instead of installing a second router or a Wi-Fi extender, put the laptop within range of the wireless connection and start the hotspot to expand the reach of your wireless signal. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Share an Internet Connection in Windows How to Turn Your Computer Into a Wi-Fi Hotspot in Windows 10 How to Use Chromecast Without Wi-Fi How to Make Your Laptop a Wi-Fi Extender How to Connect Chromecast to Hotel Wi-Fi How to Fix It When a Tablet Won’t Connect to a Mobile Hotspot How to Use Your Android Phone as a Wi-Fi Hotspot How to Connect Google Home to Wi-Fi How to Fix a "Failed to Obtain IP Address" Android Error What Is a Wi-Fi Hotspot? How to Connect Your PC to Your Mobile Hotspot How to Share Your Internet Connection on a Mac via Wi-Fi How to Tether Your Laptop's Internet to Your Phone How to Fix Wi-Fi Connection Drops How to Fix It When a Laptop Isn't Connecting to a Mobile Hotspot Can't Connect to the Internet? Try These 10 Tips Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies