Using Windows Netsh Utility
The Network Shell (netsh) utility
is basically developed to let users configure network devices in both client
and server editions of Windows.
The support for configuring WLAN using netsh was first introduced in Windows Vista, and it’s now available in Windows Server 2008, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Using netsh wlan command, one can easily use hosted network (virtualization) feature to create a virtual wireless connection. The Hosted Network is WLAN feature, which is designed to implement virtualization of physical network adapter. Since it plays a vital role in creating a virtual wireless adapter, it’s used by a majority of virtual Wi-Fi hotspot applications, such as Virtual WiFi Router, MyPublicWiFi, Marfi etc. So, if your NIC supports wireless hostednetwork / virtualization feature, then you can create an ad hoc wireless connection and turn your PC into Wi-Fi hotspot.
The support for configuring WLAN using netsh was first introduced in Windows Vista, and it’s now available in Windows Server 2008, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Using netsh wlan command, one can easily use hosted network (virtualization) feature to create a virtual wireless connection. The Hosted Network is WLAN feature, which is designed to implement virtualization of physical network adapter. Since it plays a vital role in creating a virtual wireless adapter, it’s used by a majority of virtual Wi-Fi hotspot applications, such as Virtual WiFi Router, MyPublicWiFi, Marfi etc. So, if your NIC supports wireless hostednetwork / virtualization feature, then you can create an ad hoc wireless connection and turn your PC into Wi-Fi hotspot.
As
stated earlier, both Windows 7 and Windows 8 natively support configuring ad
hoc wireless connection using the netsh commands.
In order to create an ad hoc connection in Windows 8 using netsh utility, run
CMD with administrative privileges’; just type cmd on
Start Screen, right-click it and select Run as administrator.
Now,
first you need to check weather your network interface supports virtualization
or not. Simply, run the following command to view Hosted network supported status.
netsh
wlan show drivers
In
case, it says No, you will need to update your
network adapter’s driver. If your NIC supports virtualization, you’re good to
go. Now, enter the following commands to configure an ad hoc wireless
connection.
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow
ssid=<network name> key=<passkey>
Once
the hosted network has been set to allow, you need to start the mode to create
an ad hoc connection. Just enter the command below.
netsh
wlan start hostednetwork
If
it says “hosted network couldn’t started”, you need to disable
current wireless network device and then enable it. You may also need to
refresh network adapter list from Device Manger to install a virtual network
device driver.
When the hosted network is started, enable ICS for
newly created Wi-Fi connection, so that you can share your internet connection
with others. In order to enable ICS feature, head over to Network and Internet –> Network Connections, and
open Properties dialog of network device (which is connected to internet). Now,
open Sharing tab, enable Allow other network users to
connect through this computer’s Internet connection, and then choose
the newly created ad hoc connection from the list.
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