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How to Create an Ad Hoc Network

Set up an ad hoc network and connect on the fly

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 29, 2021 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

In Command Prompt, select Run as Administrator. Enter the commands below. In Network and Sharing Center, choose an adapter.Go to Properties > Sharing. Enable other users to connect. Choose an interface from the ad hoc network. Verify through the other interface.Windows 7/Vista: In Network and Sharing Center, select Set up a connection or network > Set up a new network. Follow instructions. Ad hoc wireless networks, or computer-to-computer wireless networks, are useful for internet connection sharing and other direct wireless networking without a router. Learn how to set up a Wi-Fi network to connect two or more computers using Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and Windows Vista.

Set Up an Ad Hoc Network on Windows 10 and 8 1

Windows 10 doesn't have a proper ad hoc network feature. You can, however, create something that looks and behaves like the ad hoc network feature on previous versions of Windows. Before setting up an ad hoc network on Windows 10 and 8.1, you'll need Windows and client computers with wireless network adapters. Go to the Windows desktop search and enter Command Prompt. Right-click the Command Prompt result, then select Run as Administrator. Enter the following command in the command line. For the ssid= variable, replace AdHocNetwork with the name for your network. For the key= variable, replace yourpassword with the password for your network. netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=AdHocNetwork key=yourpassword
Enter the following command to start the new network. netsh wlan start hostednetwork
Minimize or close the command prompt window, then open Control Panel. In the Control Panel, select Network and Internet. Select Network and Sharing Center. Select Change adapter settings. In the list of network adapters on the computer, right-click the adapter that you're connected with, then choose Properties. Go to the Sharing tab. Select the Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection check box. Then, select the Home networking connection drop-down arrow and choose the interface from the ad hoc network. Select OK to save the changes. Return to the Network and Sharing Center to verify that the ad hoc network is connected to the internet through the other interface. You can now connect to your computer's ad hoc network.

Windows 7 and Vista

To create an ad hoc network in older versions of Windows: Select Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet to go to the Network and Sharing Center. Select Set up a connection or network. Select Set up a new network, then select Next. Choose a name for the ad hoc network, enable encryption, and check the box to save the network. The wireless network will be created and the wireless adapter will start broadcasting. On the client computers, locate the new network and connect to it.

Limitations of Ad Hoc Wireless Networks

There are limitations of ad hoc wireless networking: Ad hoc wireless networking only includes WEP-only security.In this type of network, computers need to be within 300 feet.When the host computer disconnects from the network, other users are disconnected and the ad hoc network is deleted. After your ad hoc network is set up and running, learn how to share a single internet connection on your ad hoc network. 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 How to Share Your Internet Connection on Windows Vista Ad-Hoc Wireless Network Setup How to Share Internet Access How to Change DNS Servers in Windows Share an Internet Connection in Windows How to Install the Client for Microsoft Networks Connecting a PC to a Wireless Home Network How to Find Wi-Fi Password in Windows 11 Can I Share Dial Up Internet Service Over a Wireless Network? What to Do When Windows 11 Can't Connect to a Network Connect to a Wireless Network on Windows How to Connect Chromecast to Hotel Wi-Fi How to Fix Windows 11 Ethernet Driver Problems How to Find Your Default Gateway IP Address How to Fix an IPv6 No Network Access Error How to Map a Network Drive in Windows 11 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