How to Share a Wired Internet Connection Wirelessly

Not everyone has multiple computers or uses a wireless connection. There are those who use a wire to connect their computer to their modem for Internet access. This makes it a challenge for visitors or the day when a second computer arrives in the home. Routers are nice but can be expensive or even undesired in the event of a temporary need.

Microsoft has anticipated this and created a way to wirelessly share a wired Internet connection among multiple wireless computers. It is not a one-click solution, but is perfect for those times when a router is not available.

Things You Need:
Computer with both wired and wireless network cards
Computer with wireless network card
Wired internet connection

Step One:
Connect the computer that has both the wired and wireless network cards to the internet using the wired connection.

Step Two:
Go to Start, Control Panel, Network and Internet, and under the Network and Sharing Center heading select "View Network Status and Tasks."

Step Three:
Click "Change Adapter Settings" from the list at the left of the screen (third from the top). The Network Connections window will appear.

Step Four:
Right-click your local network connection and select "Properties."

Step Five:
Click the Sharing tab and place a check in the box beside "Allow other users to connect through this computer's Internet connection.

Step Six:
Place a check in the box beside "Allow other network users to control or disable the shared Internet connection" and click OK.

Step Seven:
Click the back button on the Network Adapter window to be taken back to the Network and Sharing Center.

Step Eight:
Click "Set up a New Connection or Network" under "Change your networking settings."

Step Nine:
Click "Set up a wireless ad hoc (computer-to-computer) network."

Step Ten:
Click the "Next" button.

Step Eleven:
Read the screen explaining about ad hoc networks and click the "Next" button.

Step Twelve:
Name your ad hoc network in the space provided.

Step Thirteen:
Use the drop-down menu to select your encryption type. WEP is best if you are trying to share the internet connection with an older wireless computer or device.

Step Fourteen:
Enter a security key and press the "Next" button. The ad hoc network will notify you that it is waiting for users to connect.

Step Fifteen:
On the second computer, scan for available wireless networks and select the name you chose for your ad hoc network.

Step Sixteen:
Enter the security key when the computer prompts you for it.

Step Seventeen:
Wait for a moment while the computer connects to the network. Repeat for any other computers that you wish to share the wired internet connection.

The shared internet connection will be available as long as the sharing computer is turned on. If the computer turns off or reboots for any reason, visit the Network and Sharing Center and repeat this tutorial from Step Eight to renew the ad hoc network.

Note:This tutorial was written using Windows 7. Internet Connection Sharing and ad hoc networking are available on both Windows XP and Windows Vista but the actual steps may differ from those in this tutorial.