If you have got a broadband Internet connection and want to use it for multiple devices without using LAN cable, then you should either use some third-party hotspot software or purchase a WIFI router. But, if you don’t want to use any software or buy a WIFI router, then there is a simple trick using which you can turn your Windows 10 PC into a wireless hotspot. Yes, you heard it right. And this is what exactly I will explain in this instructional post.
This can actually be done using an inbuilt feature of Windows 10 called “Hosted Network”. This feature allows you to share your broadband (Ethernet) connection with wireless devices by turning your PC into a WIFI hotspot. You can use it via Command Prompt and create a virtual WIFI hotspot in no time. So, let me show you how to create a WIFI hotspot in Windows 10.
How to Create a WIFI Hotspot in Windows 10?
Step 1: The first thing you need to do before creating a WIFI hotspot in Windows 10 is to make sure that whether your PC supports “Hosted Network” or not. To check this, open up Command Prompt with administrator rights and then type the following command:
NETSH WLAN show drivers
After that, press Enter and then scroll down to the “Supported Hosted Network” option. If it says “Yes” then your Windows 10 PC is capable of creating a WIFI hotspot.
Step 2: If your PC is supported, then go ahead and enter the below command in the Command Prompt to create a hosted (virtual WIFI) network:
NETSH WLAN set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=Your_SSID key=Your_Passphrase
Here, the SSID would be the name of your WIFI hotspot and the Passphrase will be security key which you want to assign for the hotspot. You can set the SSID and Passphrase whatever you want. Do note that the Passphrase must contain at least 8 characters.
Step 3: When you have created a hosted network, you need to execute the following command in the Command Prompts to start the hosted network and make it discoverable for other devices:
NETSH WLAN start hostednetwork
Even though you have created and started a hosted network, you can’t still use it for accessing the Internet. So, to start using the Internet via this hosted network you would need to share the Internet with the “Internet Sharing” feature of Windows 10.
Step 4: To do this, press Windows+ X key and then select “Network Connections” from the list. After that, right-click on your “Ethernet” connection and select network “Properties”.
Step 5: Then click on the “Sharing” tab and then enable the option that says “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection”. After that, click on the “Home Networking Connection” menu and select the network which starts with “Local Area Connection”.
Step 6: When you’re done with that, click OK and you will be able to connect your devices via the hosted network and access the Internet.
After using the Internet, if you want to stop the hosted network then open Command Prompt with admin rights and execute the following command:
NETSH WLAN stop hostednetwork
Conclusion:
This is how to can create a WIFI hotspot on your Windows 10 PC and access the Internet on wireless devices like your phone, tablet, laptop, etc. You don’t need to buy expensive routers or use some complex hotspot software, as Window 10 Hosted Network can help you easily create a virtual WIFI network in order to share your broadband connection.
