How to Connect to a Wireless Network

Where you told that your computer had wireless capabilities when you first purchased it, but you have no idea what that means or how to use it? Did you yourself install a wireless network card into your computer that you have no clue how to get to work? If you answer was "Yes" to either one of those questions, then this article is for you. Below I will explain the steps that you need to take in order to use your wireless capabilities to connect to a wireless network to get wireless internet access in detail.

1. Go to Start, Control Panel, and then click on Network and Internet Connections.
Note:
Tip: In some computers you can just go to Start and in the menu that pops up you will be able to see all of your connections by placing your cursor on top of where it says Connect To. If your computer allows you to do this, then you can skip steps 1 and 2.

2. Once you're there, click on and open up Network Connections.

3. Find your Wireless Network Connection, right click, and chose to View Available Wireless Networks.

4. Once you have the Available Wireless Networks window open you can see for yourself what network you'd like to connect to. Connection is easy; just double click or hit the Connect button.
Note: Sometimes the networks are locked; the only way to get in there is with a password.
Tip: If you know that there is a wireless network around you but your computer's not detecting it, disable the wireless network connection and then enable it again. You can also just chose to refresh the list of available wireless networks.

Now that you have learned how to connect to a wireless network, go ahead and find hotspots around your city and try connecting to them. Wireless internet is such a wonderful thing, it allows you to connect to the internet from anywhere without having to physically connect anything; sometimes you can even find it for free. If when you're connected to a wireless network you get disconnected and the service doesn't return, you can try right clicking on the wireless network connection, and then hit repair. You can also try disabling your wireless connection and then re-enabling it to get it to work again.

Note: If you do not have wireless capabilities but you would like to learn how to get them, visit your local computer store or a Best Buy or Circuit City; they will let you know exactly what you have to do. You can also try calling the people that you bought your computer from to ask them about it; make sure to ask if you already have wireless capabilities before asking if you can get them.