Let’s say you have a laptop that is equipped with both ethernet(wired) and wireless network adapter and it is connected directly to the Internet using an ADSL modem. Now your younger brother also bought a new laptop and wants to use the Internet. Instead of spending money in buying a wireless broadband router, you can save up the money and share the Internet from your laptop using the built-in wireless network adapter.
If you have a desktop computer that don’t have built-in wireless adapter, you can buy a USB wireless adapter for less than US$10 and it is so much cheaper compared to a router. Here’s how to share Internet connection from your laptop or desktop that is equipped with wireless adapter.
First we’ll need to setup the HOST computer. HOST means the computer that is directly connected to the Internet via ADSL modem and it will be the one that is sharing the Internet connection. Go to Control Panel > Network Connections, you should see a Local Area Connection, Wireless Network Connection and a connection dailer (I use Streamyx). In detailed view mode, it shows a lot of useful information regarding your connections.
Below are the steps to configure the HOST computer:
1. Right click the connection which you use to connect to the Internet and select Properties. Go to Advanced tab and check “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection”
2. Click the drop down menu and select “Wireless Network Connection“. Click OK.
3. Go back to Network Connections, right click Wireless Network Connection and select Properties.
4. Go to Wireless Networks tab.
5. Click Advanced button, select Computer-to-computer (ad hoc) networks only, and make sure that Automatically connect to non-preferred networks is UNCHECK. Close it.
6. Click Add button and Wireless network properties Window will appear. Enter any Network name (SSID), and change Data encryption to Disabled. You can change it to WEP when everything is working fine.
7. Right click at the wireless adapter icon from system tray and select “View Available Wireless Networks“. Select the Network name (SSID) that you entered at step 6 and click Connect.
The HOST configuration is done. From what I read on most guide, step 7 above is not necessary but don’t know why if I don’t do that, the CLIENT won’t see the HOST in the wireless network list.
Next, we’ll need to configure the client computer now which is very simple. CLIENT computer means the laptop or desktop that will be connecting to the HOST computer.
1. Right click tray wireless adapter icon from system tray, and select “View Available Wireless Networks”. Select the HOST computer and click Connect.
The client computer will automatically acquire IP address from HOST computer because Internet Connection Sharing is enabled. It might take a while, so be patient. Now both the HOST and CLIENT computer can connect to Internet and also share files with each other. See, sharing Internet without wireless router wasn’t so hard now, was it?
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Thanks for the wonderful share. But as I followed the guide, it doesn’t seem to work on my Dell laptop. Errors kept coming up. I couldn’t solve the problem until I tried Virtual Hotspot, a new WiFi sharing app but works quite well. Few comlex settles and quite effective. So…look forware to more fantastic sharing.
Tested this method today and i worked like a charm, great share thanks :)
You saved my life, buddy! Thank you!
hi superb blog i liked the knowledge that you share.. bt i just want the info clearly that iam using usb modem to acess internet and i want to share to my mobile through wifi is it possible , ? after reading this blog i got a hope i can but the actual procedure iam getting confuse i would be thank full if you share this to me on mail id.
It worked perfectly between my laptop and ipad i couldn’t believe it myself. All this while i always have to download app on itunes with my laptop then sync to my ipad but now i can do it directly with wireless. Thanks allot and i really appreciate you sharing this on here.
thank you very much…it works fine…
one minor info: u must do bridge connection between LAN connection(not the 1394 one) & wireless, also check back your connection dialer sharing status. you might need to enable sharing again…
thank you very much!!!
hey im using “mhotspot”, noo need to install this software..
it is kool and very easy to do the job mentioned aboueee
thank you very much
It doesnt work i cant connect on my mobile..or maybe it works only in pc ??
How to share the internet and networking at the same time in windows XP like in windows 7. Even if u have Two LAN Cards installed in the same machine.
Thanks that was really helpful, now I can go online from my iPod while my brother is using the mdsl ^_^
thanks it was very good and easy.
i have one xp and window 7 laptop.
hi thnks for da gr8 post… is there any chance to secure the network.
i have a usb device BSNL EVDO which connects to internet.. will it work if i follow these steps to share internet.
i followed the steps but was unable share it.
Wah nice post. I did it in 3 minutes. Now I can share my internet USB connection with my iPhone.
Nice article.. I was really happy till I saw mine doesn’t show any drop down menu to select “Wireless Network Connection“. I was just testing tho because I don’t have the wifi adapter yet to my desktop but, will the drop down menu with this option show up when I get and plug it on my desktop? I’m with adsl modem just like yours on XP pro SP3 and would like to share internet with my laptop which already has wifi. Plz help :(
can i follow it if my host computer is connected through wimax wireless usb internet connection?
I spend two hours working on it and it did not work. I have and android phone that shares my connection with my note book computer but I also have a I pod touch and other note book computer that I would like to share my connection with but I was unable to make the connection.
Zubair, u can try the step that I mentioned earlier. @Post no 85.
I guess internet sharing cannot be enabled because u share the LAN.
U need to do ‘bridge connectin’ between LAN and ur WIRELESS.
i have a LAN connection and my brother has laptop and i have also laptop .i want to share internet with him.As he also want to use internet.I did all these steps but it’s not working as i go to step2 it gives an error that Internet sharing cannot be enabled.A LAN connection is already configured with IP address that is required for automatic ip addressing.Kindly tell me the solution.Thanks
Guys, guideline above will work if the host is connected directly to the ADSL modem. If u get Internet connection through wired from a switch/hub, u still can share internet access through wireless.
Here is what I have done.
Follow the above guideline from raymond from Step 3 through the end.
Now make sure ur host is connected to the internet through wired. The client is connected to the host through wireless. In wireless network at client laptop, u will get Private IP address which is like 169.XXX.XX.XX
Then go to Start>Control Panel> Network Connection at Host Computer
Make sure u enable 1394 Adapter
The Local Area Network and wireless network will show connected.
Click Local Area Network and at the same time u press and hold ‘Ctrl’ key on keyboard. Then, click also wireless network.
As a result, the Local Area Network and Wireless Network is highlighted.
Right click the mouse and choose Add to bridge.
Both connection will added to the network bridge. Wait a few minute then try refresh by right click.
After a few minute, ur internet access is shared thorugh ur wireless.
Pls do drop me an email if u cant understand.
fias_84@yahoo.com
thanks a lot cuy..
Thank you for the guide.
After working on this for two hours, i did it in 5 minutes with the help of your guide.
Works like described
this was too good!! Thanks a lot!!
my wireless internet connection does not have that option. it dosent have the check box :( how to i share. i tried setting up a network but it does not complete.
Thank for the guide but im having some problem. At the last step, host computer connects fine but client computer takes the ip in range 169. something while host is at 192.168. something and that- it. I don’t get any packets received only sent and nothing is happening.
nice work man
i did it but, there is something wrong
when i choose the network
i get
alhnuf.com/up/pics-gif/upload/view_h.php?file=15322863f0
and when i look for it in my blackberry
idont find it
Great article Raymond.
I was wondering if you could help. I’ve sent it up on my work laptop and I’m trying to share it via wireless (inc. Proxy) to my iPhone.
I managed to go through it all, set up the wireless network & connect to it on my iPhone but then for some reason it wasn’t sharing the internet? So I went back through and then noticed that the step 2 – wireless network connection wouldnt let me change it? (Shown below)
a.imageshack.us/img231/1691/33686549.jpg
Any help would be greatful.
Thanks
kyle
hi, thanx for the tutorial but when I’m in step 7, the created network appears but it doesn’t connect. It stays like 10 seconds showing ‘connecting’ and then shows not connected. any idea? thanx
Setup as per instructions;
Notebook A connected via LAN;
Notebook A connect via WiFi with Notebook B
Notebook B cannot access the Internet
hi its very nice and i try it’s connected but when i start Browsing is Give Error ” Web , No Getway reply ” what does it means can u explain it to us thankx
Hi to all who cannot share internet connection :)
i have an advanced software (small size 1MB) for sharing any internet connection
in this software package included keygen and User Manual PDF file for install and configure
Works with these Operating Systems Win98/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista/Win7/2008
and works with all kind of network adapters: USB Wireless, Bluetooth, LAN Card 10/100 mbps etc….
I am online at Europe Zone CET (GMT+1) for helping users remotely.
Please feel free to contact my by this email address liridonk@hotmail.com
just let you know this software costs 20 euro.
it keep tell me no gate way reply on the other computer or phone
hi Raymond pls help… i did’nt see any AOC and can’t connect is there anything you can do to help me… it’s really driving me crazy
How can a PPPoE dialer connection can be shared on a Windows 7 laptop?
i have question i have windows 7 on my laptop which has wireless adapter yeah… desktop has xp pro sp3 is there way to conect to my laptop which has windows 7 to share and stream video files of it???
homegroup is not supported by xp:~(
Thank u, very usefull
10x very useful :)
i have the same prob as the others … i am using a LAN internet and if i right click, properties, there is only a general tab … no advanced ….
can get to step 2 …
You’re da best raymond. I’ve actually tried so many methods but this seems to go nice and easy. Thanks
help seem to be very helpful but in my pc “home networking connecting” wireless adapter not showing lan ok, how i can enable this, please help me anybody
Hi Raymond,
I followed all the steps but still not able to connect to intrenet,i have tried with both wireless conection as well as the ethernet cable still no sucess, I am using two laptop and i have windows 7 on both of them.
I am USB modem to connect to internet
please help
Vishal
ITs a great tips yaar….. Thankyou so much for sharing such like information.. Keep do searching for info and sharing.. NKHAN
Hi Raymond,
In undoing the process (when I got back home to my own wireless network) I found that I could connect but not browse the network or internet.
To cut a long story short I found that the properties for the network were set to a static IP. When I changed it back to it’s orginal setting of obtain IP automatically and obtain DHCP automatically it fixed the problem.
It was either pilot error or reversing the process but as it drove me mad I thought other readers may get some use from the information.
Regards,
Ardeet
hi raymond…
nice post..
n it work for me for some extent..
still me facing problem to connect to internet..
m using broadband in my laptop..n i want to connect my second laptop with the internet…
both laptops are conneted in network but cant connect to internet plz help/..
Raymond,
Thank you very much! I am holidaying in Japan and it was driving me batty that I couldn’t get a wireless connection to go with my netbook and iphone to copy over documents and maps etc. The netbook was connected over ethernet via the hotel.
This solved my problem and was very straightforward.
Domo Arigato!
Ardeet
Hello!!!!
Anyone can help me????
I am almost insane by making the ICS.
It always refuse to share.
HELP…..
Ur article is great, it’s clear and easy to understand for such beginner like. But I got an error window while going in the first step,
“An error occurred while internet connection sharing being enabled Internet connection sharing cannot be enabled A LAN connection is already configured with IP Address that is required for automatic IP addressing”
Can u help me to slve this?
hi some times my pc showing that the wireless connection is limited or no connectivity.what is the problem with my pc.
Hello Ray,
Your blog is very interesting. I just wanted to ask you if there is a way to share my wireless internet connection.
I recieve my Internet connection from a wireless ISP. I recieve the signal through a Patch antenna on my roof. The Patch antenna is connected to a wire that runs from the roof into my house. The wire is connected to a USB adapter that I connect to my computer.
I would like to share the connection with my two more computers. Is this possible? What would I have to do?
I purchased a Belkin Wirless G Router, but I don’t know what to do with it. Even though I am fairly good with computers, I have no idea what I am doing when it comes to networking.
HELP!!!
I cannot get past step 4. When I choose “Properties” for the Wireless Network Connection, it doesn’t have a “Wireless Network” tab anywhere. What am I missing?
how can i connect to the internet using my laptop to connect to neighbor’s secured computer connections
Hey there! Question for you. I have wireless booster which I use to access free city wifi. I would like to share that connection with another laptop that doesn’t have a booster. The only problem is that I am using the wireless connection on one laptop to connect the the free city wifi, and I can’t get an adhoc connection to work. What am I doing wrong? I know I am close to a solution but I am stuck. Please help!
hi there,i have some problems
i cant find step 4 WIRELESS NETWORKS
when i open properties i dont have this advanced ad-hoc
I’m not able to connect to the wireless on the host computer while the laptop is not able detect wireless connection.
I did everything you said and both of my computers are connected but my client computer is not receiving the internet connection.
hii
dear without router how can i connecting my laptop to desktop please guide me
exemple like team viewer
Buenas, tengo un telefono para poder conectarme a mi red w-lan le meto mi clave, pero me dice que no es la clave precompartida, hay algo mas que la clave en si?
Saludos.
muuchas gracias camarada sirve perfectamente, logre conectar en red mi pc y mi laptop y andan de maravilla
I follow your instruction and it just works! Great advice. Thanks!
But now because of the sharing of the actual internet connection whiich computer will have the priority when downloading files. By priority I mean, let’s say downloading a file from same location; does the HOST computer with the NIC will have a greater bandwith or the CLIENT computer connected to the HOST on wireless? I’m asking this because I heard somewhere that in this situation the CLIENT wireless adapter has got the priority to download with a greater speed.
I connected the host and client to the host compter-to-computer WIFI network as explained in your above details, but both the host and the client have sent about 50,000 packets (and growing) and yet have not received a single. The client doesn\’t have connection to the internet.
Any idea what is wrong? I tried another laptop and it to was able to see and view the host WIFI connection but same problem.
merci ça marche comme sur des roulettes
not helping…
peler lo semua!!
Thanks soooo much for the great tip. Is there any way to secure it so that no third-party can connect to it?
Hi Raymond
Worked perfectly for me. Thanks a lot bro. Keep up the good work.
Regards
Arvinder
Delhi, India
Hola.. esta muy buena la explicación pero NO ME PUEDO CONECTAR TODAVIA…. tengo internet en mi pc de escritorio(con W. XP), compre una portatil (con W. Vista). trae un router wireless G BELIKIN (r). trae un cd d instalación y todo… logre hacer una conexión pero luego m dice “Error” que no se puede solucionar acutomaticamente…. YA no se que hacer. si m pedes ayudar t lo agradeceria enormemente!!!
Kiero hacer mi conexioOoo Wi-Fiiiii!!!!!!!!
= = = > > > A Y U D A < < < = = =
que tal oigan saben si esto se puede con el servicio de telcel inalambrico es como una usb y por ahi me manda la señal de el internet SOLO A 1 COMPUTADORA , cren que esa misma señal la puedo sacar señal a otras 2 computadoras INALAMBRICAMENTE alguien que me ayude . o bien .. por medio de cable de red .. alguien me ayuda
que tal oigan saben si esto se puede con el servicio de telcel inalambrico es como una usb y por ahi me manda la señal de el internet SOLO A 1 COMPUTADORA , cren que esa misma señal la puedo sacar señal a otras 2 computadoras INALAMBRICAMENTE alguien que me ayude . o bien .. por medio de cable de red .. alguien me ayuda
que tal oigan saben si esto se puede con el servicio de telcel inalambrico es como una usb y por ahi me manda la señal de el internet , cren que esa misma señal la puedo meter a otras 2 computadoras alguien que me ayude . gracias
hola tengo una apple mac OS X y una pc con w xp que esta conectada a internet con un modem ZYXEL ,como hago para conectar las dos maquinas al servicio de internet? ,gracias
muy bueno su blog
Buenas, oyes yo quiero hacer eso pero mi lap esta conectada al modem via inalambrica, y lo que yo quiero es compartirlo pero por medio de cables a las pcs de escritorio, ya e hecho varias cosas pero cuando en la pc de escritorio quiero entrar a algun sitio me reditrecciona a la ruta del modem de prodigy infinitum de Telmex (Mexico) y no se que hacer.
Hi,
Did your wired-connection be changed to IP 192.168.0.1 on host(machine has wired and wireless available)?
If it changed to static IP when you enable ICS on host, I think you can using internet based wireless of other PC.
In my case IP has changed so I can not access internet ever on host PC and certainly other PC is the same.
Best
Hi, followed the steps in the walkthrough but unfortunately can’t get it to work.
I use a desktop most of the time connected to a Belkin Router with an ethernet cable which in turn is connected to NTL/Virgin Media cable service which supplies the broadband connection. The router is also connected to my wife’s desktop via cable and the computers are set up as a network.
I bought an Edimax USB wireless adaptor for my desktop hoping I could share its internet connection for my laptop by linking my laptop to the desktop through the wireless connection.
When I look at Network connections there are three entries: 1394 Connection, LAN connection and Wireless Connection. The 1394 connection seemed to be the only one that gave all the options mentioned in the walkthrough so I configured that as outlined.
I was able to follow all the steps but when I came to Step 7 the new SSID name did not display on selecting View Available Wireless Networks and the laptop does not see the desktop.
Be grateful for any advice.
Paul
I have also problems when i try to share internet connection .. seems that the wireless is working fine but no internet sharing …
Any advice is much apreciated
Hi Raymond,
The solution seems to be fine ,however im getting a IP address conflict and unable to establish the connection
Please help
Regards
Uday
hi raymond
i am having the same problem as ripe, where i cant change it from lan to wireless. i connect using dial up.
any help would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
rowan
Hi….
Thanks a lot…. This was really well explainable. There were some tits and bits here… but i was able to make it.
I have another q?… Is it possible to have the PC connected to Internet through wired connection as a Wifi Router.
Thanks.
Srini
does it mean that the host computer should always be powered on?
i have a lan internet coneection i wanna shared it with my laptop with oout router but my internet connection given 192.168.0.* ip and when i wanna share it with my laptop wire less connection its failed because my laptop geting 192.168.0.1 and its getting faild …. what is the alternative 192.168.0.1
thnx
no me sale ni lo k esta en la foto ni lo escrito
a mi no me sale lo mismo k en la foto ni lo k esta escrito
Sorry to ask…but does this also allow internet connection to devices such as Wii or xbox360?
hi, i want to know how to configure for my wi-fi enabled nokia N91. i am unable surf through my phone while my wi-fi network is on. pls help.
ripe, i think you have to enable your wireless connection for that drop down box to appear. I had the same thing like yours, then i realized that maybe I should turn on the wireless first, then try… =) hope this helps!
Great tip Raymond too bad this was only after I setup up a wireless network at my home using a router.
But nevertheless quite worth to bookmark for the future.
what if you want to share a wireless connection from your laptop with a desktop, but you don\’t have ADSL ?
Just stealing wireless and sharing it with other computers in the house ?
i mean, in my network connection,it shows LAN connection, wireless connection n old dialup connection. i dont have a connection dialer(streamyx in ur case). i simply am connected to the net via my LAN connection which is connected to one of the ports in router. so wat are the additional configuration i need to do cuz i tried to follow ur instruction but in vain…
hi there
i\\\\\\\’m connected to the net via a shared router with multiple ports. wat r the added configuration need? i tried but in vain..
Hi Raymond,
I have a desktop with Vista Home Basic and a DSL router for connecting internet.
I have a laptop with XP SP2.
I want to share the DSL internet on my laptop without a wirless router. I am not using a dialer connection. DSL is a LAN type connection.
Can you please guide me how to do this?
Thanks,
Niko
I have the always on broadband connection and don\’t need user id and password . I don\’t have that PPPOE icon. So what should i do
@raymond
I connect to internet through cable modem.
@jay
the settings which u told where aleady done…but not effective
Plz help
dear raymond,
many thanks for this wonderful guidance. infact i had tried on my own before & could not succeed. but u have given a perfect solution. thanks once again, but i am concerned about any third party intruding into our network, is it possible to make it secured so that only host and client can use it?
regards,
rajiv divakaran
ripe,
Follow this step and you will get back your option.
ifelix.co.uk/tech/2007.html
Enjoy…..
ripe, you’re sharing your Local Area Connection, not the connection dialer. May I know how do you connect to the Internet?
Thanks Ray for your all great tips.
How can we secure this connection with WEP?
Hi raymond…i am ur regular user…and i was actually searching today for this ics..
but in my winXP there is no option for the 2nd step.( Click the drop down menu and select “Wireless Network Connection“.)
Drop down menu is not coming
:screenshot: img237.imageshack.us/img237/562/ssssszh0.jpg
If you still remember connecting computer to computer using crosslink ethernet cable, this is pretty much the same except it’s using wireless.
Awesome Raymond! Just what I needed. Thanks
Well, thanks i tried this before and it did work but i would recommend getting a wireless router a cheap one would do just fine.
Whoa! I\\\’ve always wondered how you would do that. I have always thought that this process is complicated and hard. Thanks for the great and simple tip Ray!!
For Mac & Vista users too!
Cnet TV also has its explanation last year. Check this out!
(Make your laptop a hotspot for Mac, XP & Vista)
cnettv.com/9742-1_53-28619.html
thankz ray for the good tip.. (“,)
Great Tip Raymond
I\\\’ve been reading your blogs and have learnt a great deal. Somethings posted I didn\\\’t think were possible. Just wondering though if this would work if the HOST computer was running on Vista