Make your Computer a Wireless Router

Buying a wireless router is a bit expensive so setting up your computer as your wireless router is a good idea to share your internet connection to other computers at home. And what you need for this are:

1.   Windows computer (a desktop, laptop or netbook)

2.   Internet connection provided by your ISP. It’s either using a modem through an Ethernet cable, USB broadband or mobile phone.

3.   Patience and common sense.

Here are the steps for Windows 7 computer:



A. Allowing Network sharing

1.   First you need to go to Network and Sharing Center of the computer directly connected to the internet using your modem by clicking on the Start button > Control Panel > Network and Internet. 

The other way to get there is to type in “Network and Sharing Center” on the search field, highlight it from the results and hit enter.

2.   On the left side of the Network and Sharing box, click on “Change adapter settings”. On that box or page, you will see computer icons labeled Local Area Connection, Bluetooth Network Connection, Wireless Network Connection, the name of your USB modem or mobile phone.

3.   If you are using your USB modem or broadband to connect to the internet, highlight its name and right click and you will see properties. Click properties and a small box will pop out.

4.   On that box click on the sharing tab. Check the box beside the “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection” option. Then below the Home Networking Connection, click the drop down arrow and choose wireless connection and hit OK button.

B.  Setting up a wireless network

1.   Get back to the Network and Sharing Center page or box. Click Manage wireless networks.

2.   Let’s create an ad hoc network by clicking on Addbutton. On the pop up box asking “How do you want to add a network?”, choose Create an ad hoc network, click Nextbutton.

3.   Type in your desired Network name, Security type and Security key. If you will choose WPA2 personal, password or security key should be 8-63 case sensitive characters or 64 characters using numbers 0-9 and letters A-F. If you will choose WEP, 5 or 13 case sensitive characters or 10 or 26 hexadecimal 0-9/A-F case sensitive characters.

4.   Check the box for “Save this network” option and click Next. Wait for the network to be established. It is finished when it says your network is ready to use.

5.   Look and click for the Network icon on your task bar. Choose the wireless network you have made by clicking it then hit disconnect. Click connect button again and type for the security if it’s asking for it. Wait until it says it’s connected.

C.  Connecting your other computer wirelessly

1.   Make sure the wireless adapter for your other computer is enabled or on. Look and click for the Network icon on your task bar. You should see the wireless network you have made.

2.   Click connectbutton again and type for the security if it’s asking for it. Wait until it says it’s connected. Wait until it says you have internet access.

3.   Open up a browser and test the connection.

If you cannot browse a website, though it says you have internet access try to use your Microsoft troubleshooter if it can resolve the issue but other than that, if you have followed these steps correctly everything will work out fine.

Enjoy!