Introduction: How to Set Up a Wireless Hotspot - From Ethernet (Windows 7)

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Hello

This is my first Instructable so all constructive critiscm is welcome.

In this Instructable I will be showing you how to set up your own wireless access point using Windows 7's "Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter" .You will need a pre-existing wired (ethernet) internet connection to set up the wireless hotspot.

Some of you may now be wondering "Why would I want to set up a wireless hotspot when my laptop is already connected to the internet?"

OK just imagine this situation:

Just say you were staying at a hotel on a business trip and the hotel offered free internet access via ethernet (not wireless). If you wanted to connect an Ipad or similar device, you would need to either set up your own router (and come on, how many of you honestly can say they would bring a router with you on business trips?) OR you could follow this guide and setup your own wireless access point, thereby making the connection available to any WiFi capable device.

A Network Interface Card is a card used by your computer or laptop to communicate over a network. There are multiple types of NIC cards that connect to different technologys such as Ethernet or Wireless. Most laptops only have one NIC (Network Interface Card). This lack of multiple Network Interface Cards makes it impossible for a user to have an internet connection whilst sharing a hotspot. Thankfully due to virtualisation, you can "split" your NIC into "two" hardware and while one is connected to the internet, the other can be sharing this internet connection with your other WiFi capable devices.

Anyway enough information, lets get to the instructable.

Step 1: Step 1: Enabling the Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter.

This step will guide you through enabling the "Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter": From my knowledge the "Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter" is not compatible with all wireless cards but if it yours is compatible, and you follow my guide, it will work.

To enable the Virtual adapter open the "Run" dialogue ("Windows key"+ "R")

Then open the Command Prompt (type in "cmd" and click "Enter")

Once CMD is open type in the following command:

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=Hotspot key=Password keyUsage=persistent

Where "Hotspot" is the SSID (the name of your connection) and "Password" is the password locking the connection.

Once this is done, you have enabled the Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter!

Step 2: Step 2: Configuring the Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter.

This step will guide you through configuring your newly set-up Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter.

This step will walk you through the process of creating a wireless hotspot using a pre-existing wired (ethernet)  internet connection.

To begin with, if it has not already been done, plug in an ethernet cable into your PC's Ethernet port. Then Navigate to "Network Connections" (From the Network and Sharing Center click on the "Change Adapter Settings" link in the top left hand corner. Enable the virtual adapter, if it is not already enabled, by right clicking on the adapter and pressing enable.  Once you have internet connectivity via the Ethernet cable and the virtual adapter is enabled, right click on the "Local Area Connection" button and click "Properties". Once the dialogue box pops up, click on the "Sharing" tab. From here click the check box labeled "Allow other Network Users to connect through this Computer's Internet Connection". Click on the Drop down box "Home networking connection" labeled "Select a private network connection" and select the Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter which should be labeled "Wireless Network Connection 2". Click "OK" and the "Local Area Connection" button should now say "Shared".

Step 3: Step 3: Starting and Stopping the Wireless Hotspot.

This final step will guide you through starting and stopping the wireless hotspot (access point).

It's time to go back to CMD.

Open a new CMD window ("Windows Key" + "R") and type in the following command:

netsh wlan start hostednetwork

CMD should confirm by saying "The hosted network started."

If you navigate back to the "Network Connections" window, you will notice the Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter should now have your SSID listed with full reception!

Now. To disable (turn off the hotspot), it is best to:

Open a new CMD window ("Windows Key" + "R") and type in the following command:

netsh wlan stop hostednetwork

CMD should confirm by saying "The hosted network stopped."

And thats it! Your wireless hotspot will have started with the SSID (Name) and password you set! Try connecting to it with a different WiFi compatible device.

Thanks for reading and I hoped you learned from this as much as I did.