Share an Internet Connection in Windows

This article explains how to share an internet connection in Windows using the Mobile Hotspot feature. Instructions apply to Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7.

Use Your Windows 10 Computer as a Mobile Hotspot

This procedure requires your host computer to be connected via cable to the internet modem (DSL or cable modem, for example) or a cellular data modem on your computer. To share a wireless internet connection with other devices, turn your Windows laptop into a Wi-Fi hotspot using Connectify.

To turn your computer into a wireless hotspot or wired router for other devices nearby:

1. Select Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile hotspot.

2. Select the Share my Internet connection from drop-down menu and choose the connection you intend to share.

3. Under Network Name, select Edit.

4. Modify the network name and password for this new connection as needed.

5. When you're finished, select Save.

6. Toggle Share my Internet connection with other devices to On.

7. From any other device, search for the wireless network you just established to verify the connection.

Use Your Windows 8 or Windows 7 Computer as a Mobile Hotspot

Follow these steps to set up a hotspot from a Windows 8 or Windows 7 PC using the built-in internet connection sharing (ICS) feature:

1. Log in to the Windows host computer—the one connected to the internet—as an Administrator.

2. Go to Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center and then click Change adapter settings.

3. Right-click the internet connection you want to share (for example, Local Area Connection) and click Properties.

4. Click the Sharing tab.

5. Select the Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection check box. For the sharing tab to show up, you need two types of network connections: one for your internet connection and another that the client computers can connect to, such as a wireless adapter.

6. After ICS is enabled, set up an ad hoc wireless network or use newer Wi-Fi Direct technology so that the other devices can connect to your host computer for internet access.

Remember these considerations also:

• Clients who connect to the host computer should have their network adapters set to get an IP address automatically. Look in the network adapter properties, under TCP/IPv4 or TCP/IPv6, and click Obtain an IP address automatically.
• If you create a VPN connection from your host computer to a corporate network, the computers on your local network can access the corporate network if you use ICS.
• If you share your internet connection over an ad hoc network, ICS is disabled if you disconnect from the ad hoc network, create a new ad hoc network, or log off from the host computer.