This wikiHow teaches you how to publicly share a Windows computer's internet connection by creating a Wi-Fi hotspot using the "Command Prompt". To do this, you need to have an administrator user account for the machine you are using.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Create the Wi-Fi Hotspot
Access the Start menu by clicking the icon
Step 1.
. It is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively you can press the button
Step 2. ⊞ Win of the keyboard
Step 3.
If you are using a Windows 8 system, place the mouse cursor in the upper right corner of the screen, then select the "Search" icon in the shape of a magnifying glass
Type the command prompt keywords into the "Start" menu. This will display the "Command Prompt" icon in the results list.
Select the "Command Prompt" icon
with the right mouse button. It should be located at the top of the "Start" menu.
If you're using a laptop with a buttonless trackpad, tap the button with two fingers
Choose the option Run as administrator from the context menu that appeared.
If the item Run as administrator is not there, it means you won't be able to create a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Press the Yes button when prompted. This will bring up the "Command Prompt" window.
Type the command NETSH WLAN show drivers and press the Enter key. This command shows the information you need to understand if your computer is capable of creating a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Look for the "Hosted network supported" entry. If there is a "Yes" next to it, it means that the network card installed in your computer is capable of creating a wireless hotspost.
If there is a value of "No" next to the item indicated, it means that your computer is unable to create and manage a Wi-Fi hotspot
Type the following command into the "Command Prompt"
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode = allow ssid = [wireless_network_name] key = [password]
and press the Enter key. Remember to replace the parameter "[wireless_network_name]" with the name of the Wi-Fi network you want to create and the "[password]" item with the relative access password.
When you need to deactivate the wireless hotspot, type the command NETSH WLAN start hostednetwork and press the Enter key.
Close the "Command Prompt" window. Now that the hotspot is up and running, you need to share it publicly so that other users can connect to it.
Part 2 of 2: Share the Network Connection
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
then type in the keywords control panel.
This will search your computer for the "Control Panel" application.
Step 2. Click the Control Panel icon
It should appear at the top of the "Start" menu.
Step 3. Choose the Network and Internet category
It is located in the center of the appeared window.
Step 4. Click the Network and Sharing Center link
It is located at the top of the appeared page.
Step 5. Select the Change adapter settings item
It is located in the upper left of the window.
Step 6. Select the name of the current active network connection with the right mouse button
Step 7. Choose the Properties option
It is located at the bottom of the drop-down menu that appeared.
Step 8. Go to the Sharing tab
It is located at the top of the "Properties" window that appeared.
Step 9. Select the check button "Allow other network users to connect via this computer's internet connection"
It is located at the top of the window.
Step 10. Click the text field inside the "Home network connection" section
It is located in the central part of the window.
Step 11. Choose the name of the hotspot you just created
It should read something like "Local Area Connection * [number]".
Step 12. Press the OK button
At this point your wireless hotspot should be functional and accessible from all devices in the area.
