ALL CONTENT

DOWNLOADS TUTORIALS PLATFORMS REVIEWS BLOG ABOUT

BEST OF

How To Turn Your Windows 8.1 Or Windows 10 Device

Into A WiFi Access Point
By Codrut Neagu on 06/18/2015
If you used Windows 7 or Windows XP, you know that these operating systems allow you to create ad
hoc wireless connections between computers. You could use those connections to create a wireless
network between multiple computers or to share the Internet connection that was available on one of
them. If you use Windows 8.1 or if you just migrated to Windows 10, then you might have noticed that
this can no longer be done, at least not using a visual interface. However, with the help of the Command Prompt
and a few commands, you too can turn your Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 laptop or hybrid device into a WiFi
access point. Here's how:

What You Need In Order For This To Work

To use your Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 laptop or hybrid device as an WiFi access point for other devices, it
must have at least 2 network cards installed and one of them must be a wireless network card. One of them
must be connected to the Internet.
We've tested multiple scenarios, and the ones that worked great include:
One laptop using its Ethernet connection for Internet access and its WiFi adapter to broadcast use a
network cable to connect your laptop to the Internet and the wireless network card for the access point
that's sharing the Internet access with other devices.
One laptop that is connected to the Internet through a mobile USB modem and broadcasts the wireless
network through its WiFi adapter many users will have a USB mobile modem available with 3G or 4G
connectivity. They can use it for Internet access and use the wireless network adapter for creating the
access point and sharing the Internet access with others.
One laptop and two wireless network adapters, one connected to the Internet and the other acting as an
access point you won't find this situation too often, as laptops and hybrid devices don't come with two
wireless network cards installed. However, you can install a wireless USB adapter and use it to create the
access point.

Step 1. Create A Virtual WiFi Network

To begin, we'll need to open Command Prompt with administrative privileges and use a command to create a
virtual wireless network that is broadcasted by your device.

To show you how this is done, we will create a wireless network called Hotspot. The password for this network
will be "7Tutorials".
Inside the Command Prompt window, type the following command:
netshwlansethostednetworkmode=allowssid=Hotspotkey=7Tutorials
Notice that the name of the network is set using the SSID parameter and the password is set using the KEY
parameter. Obviously, you can set your own values for them.
To create the access point, press Enter. If all goes well, you should see that the hosted network has been set.

Now you have created a virtual adapter that can function as a wireless access point for other computers and
devices in your area. However, in order for it to work, you need to take one more step: turn this virtual adapter
on.
Do not close the Command Prompt. Keep it open and enter the following command:
netshwlanstarthostednetwork

Then, press Enter.

The virtual wireless adapter is now started and shown in the Network and Sharing Center.

You can connect all your devices to the newly created wireless network. However, it has no Internet access. If
you stop at this point, when you connect other devices and computers to the newly created access point, you
can create a network between them and use it to share files and resources, but they won't have any Internet
access.

Step 2. Allow Internet Access For The Devices That Are Connected To The
Virtual WiFi Network
Open the Network and Sharing Center. Notice that the virtual network adapter you just created is displayed as
active, but it has no Internet access at this time.

Click or tap the connection of the physical network adapter that currently has Internet access. In our case, it is an
Ethernet connection.

This opens the Status window for the selected network adapter. Click or tap Properties.

In the Properties window, go to the Sharing tab.

In order to give others Internet access to the virtual WiFi adapter that we created earlier, check the box near
"Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection".

Then, select the virtual adapter that was created earlier.

Click or tap OK and Close to save the settings you've made.

Go back to the Network and Sharing Center and you will notice that the virtual network adapter now has Internet
access.

The virtual adapter now gives Internet access to all the devices that are connected to it.

Step 3. Connect Your Wireless Devices To The Access Point

The next step is to connect your wireless devices to the virtual WiFi access point and use them to access the
Internet. Also, the devices that are connected to your laptop or hybrid PC, are placed in the same network with
the access point. You can use that network to share files and folders between devices.

The Fast Way Of Turning Your Windows 8.1 Or Windows 10 Device Into A
WiFi Access Point
In order to help you, we searched for a way to automate as much as possible the procedure described above.

That is why we created a program that would make things as simple as possible.
We've created a custom executable file, available for you to download. Its name is WiFiAccessPoint.EXE and it's
included in an archive that you have to extract manually, after downloading it. Look for the wifiaccesspoint.zip
archive file at the end of this article, download it and extract the executable inside.

The file is small, only 163KB in size. When you run it, it is possible that the SmartScreen Filter will be triggered
saying that our file might put your PC at risk. That is not true. Click or tap on More Info and Run Anyway. Then, a
UAC prompt will be displayed, because this program requires administrative permissions. Click or tap Yes to run
it.

Our file uses both the Command Prompt and PowerShell in order to run and do its thing. After it starts, a window
is displayed, in which you can enter the details of the wireless access point that you want to create. Also, you can
choose whether you want it enabled each time you start Windows. When you are done, you should see
something similar to the screenshot below:

Our program has a limitation though: it's not possible to automatically set the Internet connection sharing
between the network adapters. Accordingly, the program will notify you that you have to perform this step
manually. The first time you set things, you have to manually share your working Internet connection with the
one created by our program. However, from there on, you won't have to share it again, as Windows will
remember your initial settings.

The Fast Way Of Turning Off And Uninstalling The WiFi Access Point
WiFiAccessPoint, the small program which you can download and run in order to transform your device into a
wireless hotspot, also gives you a choice to turn off and/or disable the automatic startup of the wireless hotspot
feature. When asked if you want to stop and uninstall your hotspot, all you have to do is answer No, by typing in
the letter N.

We hope that this little tool will come in handy for you!

Conclusion
As you can see, with the help of a few clicks/taps and commands, you can create a virtual wireless connection in
Windows 8.1 or Windows 10. Try it out for yourself and let us know how well it worked for you. Also, do you
know of other ways to create a wireless network connection between Windows devices? If you do, don't hesitate
to share your ideas with us, using the comments form below.
Attachment
wifiaccesspoint.zip

Size
102.83 KB

Discover more: Tutorials Network and Internet Wireless Windows Recommended

Related articles:
How To Disable a Virtual WiFi Network Adapter in Windows 8.1
How To Connect To Wireless Networks In Windows 10
How To Connect To Hidden Wireless Networks In Windows 10
How to Connect to Wireless Networks in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1

Comments
by hameed on 07/05/2014 07:20
was helpful info but in my case it can't be started when I enter the command "netsh wlan start
hostednetwork" and I get the message "the hostednetwork could not be started" " The group or resource is
not in the correct state to perform the requested opera
tion." please help me out. thanks in advance.
reply
by Codrut Neagu on 07/06/2014 09:12
This can occur when your WiFi adapter goes into "sleep mode". Follow these steps to correct the problem:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Open Device Manager

Click on the Network adapters section
Locate the disabled WiFi adapter, then rightclick on it and enable it
Start your hosted network again, by running this command: "netsh wlan start hostednetwork"

And finally... tell us if it worked for you :

reply
by R K Lodhi on 12/02/2014 12:44
thanks for your suggestions. When I open the wifi adapter it was already enable but it ask to update the
adapter softwer which I did and within no time my wifi got connected.so thanks once again.
reply
by Grant on 12/08/2014 17:38
I created everything just as you said but when I try to connect on any iphone, it just sits there trying to
connect but the phone won't actually connect and when i connect on a computer, It says its a limited
connection. Any suggestions?
reply
by Akhilesh on 03/06/2015 08:23
it is still showing me the same problem...
can u help out..
reply
by Bibhuti on 04/08/2015 10:23
Dear sir it worked for me for the first time. But in next time my mob. Wifi connection stuck in obtaining IP
address and authentication. I am using LAN connection. Do i need to make my wifi on for this hosted
application to run. Can u tell me the command to change password key.
reply
by madhukar on 06/12/2015 07:25
Hi Bibhuti, I have the same issue on windows 8.1, can you please let me know if somebody replied to your
query?
Madhukar
reply
by Jane on 05/10/2015 00:28
Hi, I had the same problem with the command saying "The hosted network couldn't be started. The group
or resource is not in the correct state to perform the requested operation"
But I can't find the local area connection adapter in my device manage, neither under network connections
I accidentally disabled the local area connection adapter before, is that why i can't start internet sharing?

Thx
reply
by utkarsh on 05/11/2015 20:16
sir,i tried this but same problem is getting..
my wifi adopter is enable and uptodate
reply
by roger on 05/29/2015 18:34
nice
reply
by baltar john on 01/05/2015 16:51
open first your wifi adaptor
reply
by Makena on 05/26/2015 22:06
I have the same problem
reply
by vas on 07/09/2014 22:38
I am able to access shared folders on host my computer, but unable to access internet even though 'Access
type' is showing as 'Internet' on both. Anything else is missing?
reply
by Ciprian Adrian Rusen on 07/10/2014 16:19
If you meet all the prerequisites we have share and you have followed everything we documented, it should
work.
Disable the virtual adapter and try again. See this guide for the disabling procedure:
http://www.7tutorials.com/howdisablevirtualwifinetworkadapterwindo...
reply
by vas on 07/10/2014 21:44
No luck even after i followed the steps.
These are the details from the command:
netsh wlan show all
Wireless System Information Summary
Time: 7/11/2014 12:06:18 AM India Standard Time

=======================================================================
============================== SHOW DRIVERS ===========================
=======================================================================
Interface name: WiFi
Driver : IntelR CentrinoR AdvancedN 6230
Vendor : Intel Corporation
Provider : Intel
Date : 11/24/2013
Version : 15.9.2.1
INF file : C:\Windows\INF\oem41.inf
Files : 2 total
C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\NETwsw00.sys
C:\Windows\system32\drivers\vwifibus.sys
Type : Native WiFi Driver
Radio types supported : 802.11a 802.11b 802.11g 802.11n
FIPS 1402 mode supported : Yes
802.11w Management Frame Protection supported : No
Hosted network supported : Yes
Authentication and cipher supported in infrastructure mode:
Open None
Open WEP40bit
Open WEP104bit
Open WEP
WPAEnterprise TKIP
WPAEnterprise CCMP
WPAPersonal TKIP
WPAPersonal CCMP
WPA2Enterprise TKIP
WPA2Enterprise CCMP
WPA2Personal TKIP
WPA2Personal CCMP
Open Vendor defined
Authentication and cipher supported in adhoc mode:
Open None
Open WEP40bit
Open WEP104bit
Open WEP
WPA2Personal CCMP
=======================================================================
============================= SHOW INTERFACES =========================
=======================================================================
There is 1 interface on the system:
Name : WiFi
Description : IntelR CentrinoR AdvancedN 6230
GUID : 4ad8b416b6164b35a3da7074c2276051
Physical address : 88:53:2e:11:17:c3
State : disconnected

Hosted network status : Started

=======================================================================
=========================== SHOW HOSTED NETWORK =======================
=======================================================================
Hosted network settings

Mode : Allowed
SSID name : "vas12"
Max number of clients : 32
Authentication : WPA2Personal
Cipher : CCMP
Hosted network status

Status : Started
BSSID : 88:53:2e:11:17:c4
Radio type : 802.11n
Channel : 11
Number of clients : 0
=======================================================================
============================= SHOW SETTINGS ===========================
=======================================================================
Wireless LAN settings

Show blocked networks in visible network list: No

Only use GP profiles on GPconfigured networks: No
Hosted network mode allowed in WLAN service: Yes
Allow shared user credentials for network authentication: Yes
Block period: Not Configured.
Auto configuration logic is enabled on interface "WiFi"
=======================================================================
============================== SHOW FILTERS ===========================
=======================================================================
Allow list on the system group policy

Allow list on the system user

Block list on the system group policy

Block list on the system user


=======================================================================
=========================== SHOW CREATEALLUSER ========================
=======================================================================
Everyone is allowed to create all user profiles.
=======================================================================
============================= SHOW PROFILES ===========================
=======================================================================
Profiles on interface WiFi:
Group policy profiles read only

User profiles

All User Profile : KARTEEKPC_Network

=======================================================================
========================== SHOW PROFILES NAME=* =======================
=======================================================================
Profile KARTEEKPC_Network on interface WiFi:
=======================================================================
Applied: All User Profile
Profile information

Version : 1
Type : Wireless LAN
Name : KARTEEKPC_Network
Control options :
Connection mode : Connect automatically
Network broadcast : Connect only if this network is broadcasting
AutoSwitch : Do not switch to other networks
Connectivity settings

Number of SSIDs : 1
SSID name : "KARTEEKPC_Network"
Network type : Infrastructure
Radio type : [ Any Radio Type ]
Vendor extension : Not present
Security settings

Authentication : WPA2Personal
Cipher : CCMP
Security key : Present

Cost settings

Cost : Unrestricted
Congested : No
Approaching Data Limit : No
Over Data Limit : No
Roaming : No
Cost Source : Default
=======================================================================
======================= SHOW NETWORKS MODE=BSSID ======================
=======================================================================
Interface name : WiFi
There are 3 networks currently visible.
SSID 1 : raghavendra
Network type : Infrastructure
Authentication : WPA2Personal
Encryption : CCMP
BSSID 1 : 64:66:b3:84:34:16
Signal : 46%
Radio type : 802.11n
Channel : 1
Basic rates Mbps : 1 2 5.5 11
Other rates Mbps : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54
SSID 2 : Raja
Network type : Infrastructure
Authentication : WPA2Personal
Encryption : CCMP
BSSID 1 : ec:1a:59:17:0a:69
Signal : 36%
Radio type : 802.11n
Channel : 4
Basic rates Mbps : 1 2 5.5 11
Other rates Mbps : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54
SSID 3 : NETGEAR99
Network type : Infrastructure
Authentication : WPA2Personal
Encryption : CCMP
BSSID 1 : 9c:d3:6d:02:2b:6c
Signal : 0%
Radio type : 802.11n
Channel : 1
Basic rates Mbps : 1 2 5.5 11
Other rates Mbps : 6 9 12 18 24 36 48 54

Please let me know anything is missing.

reply

reply
by asif on 10/31/2014 05:53
i am having the same problem , access is internet in both the connection still not getting internet in my
android phone if there is any silution to this then please tell me
reply
by gopal on 11/16/2014 04:15
i have also the same problem , access in internet in both the connection still not getting internet in my
android phone if there is any silution to this then please tell me
reply
by Ransidthing on 07/14/2014 03:31
Would this work with an xbox so I am able take advantage of a VPN
reply
by Ciprian Adrian Rusen on 07/14/2014 10:44
It doesn't matter which type of device you connect to the wireless network you have created. It should work
also with an Xbox.
I connected a smartphone to the test network we created and it worked just fine.
reply
by prayag on 11/13/2014 18:34
well, i followed every single step as shown but got problem on accessing the internet to my other devices,
laptop and cellphones, as it is showing that the password created or shown in home group is incorrect.
Is there anything wrong or i left to do?..
reply
by Codrut Neagu on 11/13/2014 19:20
Try running this command
netshwlansethostednetworkmode=allowssid=Hotspotkey=7Tutorials
keyUsage=persistent
instead of
netshwlansethostednetworkmode=allowssid=Hotspotkey=7Tutorials
Also check that on your phones you're using the same input language as on your computer.
reply
by Sam on 09/06/2014 14:04
Hi, i have a problem at step 2, when i check "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's
Internet connection" i can't select the virtual network that i already created and it just says "WiFi", i hope you

can help me
reply
by Codrut Neagu on 10/04/2014 15:59
Open Device Manager. Click View > Show hidden devices. Go to Network adapters. Locate Microsoft Hosted
Network Virtual Adapter. Right click it and select Enable. Then use the commands below again:
netshwlansethostednetworkmode=allow
netshwlanstarthostednetwork
reply
by abas on 05/19/2015 11:59
Thanks a lot man. really helped
reply
by David Atkinson on 04/17/2015 18:09
I have exactly the same problem but i can't see whether anyone has posted a solution. Can anyone help
please?
reply
by David Atkinson on 04/17/2015 18:11
I should have said I have exactly the same problem as Sam
reply
by TIJO on 09/11/2014 08:20
Hi,i do the above steps and created the hotspot. Also connect my mobile with laptop. I am using tata
photone 2G for accesing internet in laptop.But i can't access the internet in mobile ,is this because of slow
internet connection? or any other problem?
reply
by Codrut Neagu on 10/04/2014 16:00
Probably. 2G is really slow even for mobile internet.
reply
by Shawlyn Dias on 09/11/2014 08:20
i created the hotspot. but its not getting connected to my device..
reply
by Codrut Neagu on 10/04/2014 16:01

Check your firewall.

reply
by Srisankar on 09/11/2014 12:20
I just followed the steps mentioned, it's working like a charm : Thanks a lot :D
reply
by Nazia on 09/11/2014 12:40
Thanks for the tip! It was very helpful! :
reply
by tykobrian on 09/11/2014 13:29
looks like i have to follow these steps every time I turn off my wifi of my laptop. So can you plesase create a
batch file of these commands so it can be automated?
reply
by Aiman on 09/15/2014 08:27
I am at the part where you enter "netsh wlan start hostednetwork".
I'm getting the message "The hosted network couldn't be started. A device attached to the system is not
functioning".
Your help is kindly appreciated.
reply
by Codrut Neagu on 10/04/2014 16:03
Open Device Manager. Click View > Show hidden devices. Go to Network adapters. Locate Microsoft Hosted
Network Virtual Adapter. Right click it and select Enable. Then use the commands below again:
netshwlansethostednetworkmode=allow
netshwlanstarthostednetwork
reply
by Thaisa on 02/14/2015 18:28
I have the same problem occuring, but I can't find Microsoft Hosted Network Virtual adapter. What can I
do?
reply
by Sam on 03/06/2015 11:32
I have the same problem. When I right click, it only shows me the option to disable virtual network adapter.
Please help
reply

reply
by Makena on 05/26/2015 22:20
I am at the part where you enter "netsh wlan start hostednetwork".
I'm getting the message "The hosted network couldn't be started. A device attached to the system is not
functioning".
I also enabled my Microsoft Hosted Network Virtual Adapter but I am still getting the message above.
Your help is kindly appreciated.
reply
by Eugen on 09/21/2014 12:51
Very helpful, thank a lot : it works perfectly !
reply
by Emmanuel on 09/23/2014 08:26
The tips you pasted was useful. Thanks a lot. I've been looking for a way to create this since I bought my
system. Thnaks for your help
reply
by havyas on 09/23/2014 11:02
Hi i had used all the mentioned tricks to create wifi hotspot in my lappy but its not possible.. so below i had
pasted my network connection properties please give me the valuable suggestion.. thanks in advance ...
Time: 23092014 03:55:46 US Eastern Daylight Time
=======================================================================
============================== SHOW DRIVERS ===========================
=======================================================================
Interface name: WiFi
Driver : IntelR PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Co
Vendor : Intel Corporation
Provider : Microsoft
Date : 15082010
Version : 13.3.0.137
INF file : C:\Windows\INF\netwlv64.inf
Files : 1 total
C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\netwlv64.sys
Type : Native WiFi Driver
Radio types supported : 802.11a 802.11b 802.11g
FIPS 1402 mode supported : Yes
802.11w Management Frame Protection supported : No
Hosted network supported : No

Authentication and cipher supported in infrastructure mode:

Open None
Open WEP40bit
Open WEP104bit
Open WEP
WPAEnterprise TKIP
WPAEnterprise CCMP
WPAPersonal TKIP
WPAPersonal CCMP
WPA2Enterprise TKIP
WPA2Enterprise CCMP
WPA2Personal TKIP
WPA2Personal CCMP
Open Vendor defined
Authentication and cipher supported in adhoc mode:
Open None
Open WEP40bit
Open WEP104bit
Open WEP
WPA2Personal CCMP
=======================================================================
============================= SHOW INTERFACES =========================
=======================================================================
There is 1 interface on the system:
Name : WiFi
Description : IntelR PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Conne
GUID : 6ff73785ac6a4642ba9f0ac77b325379
Physical address : 00:1f:3c:e4:af:33
State : disconnected
Hosted network status : Not available
=======================================================================
=========================== SHOW HOSTED NETWORK =======================
=======================================================================
Hosted network settings

Mode : Disallowed
SSID name : "MyPublicWiFi"
Max number of clients : 100
Authentication : WPA2Personal
Cipher : CCMP
Hosted network status

Status : Not available

=======================================================================
============================= SHOW SETTINGS ===========================

=======================================================================
Wireless LAN settings

Show blocked networks in visible network list: No

Only use GP profiles on GPconfigured networks: No
Hosted network mode allowed in WLAN service: No
Allow shared user credentials for network authentication: Yes
Block period: Not Configured.
Auto configuration logic is enabled on interface "WiFi"
=======================================================================
============================== SHOW FILTERS ===========================
=======================================================================
Allow list on the system group policy

Allow list on the system user

Block list on the system group policy

Block list on the system user

=======================================================================
=========================== SHOW CREATEALLUSER ========================
=======================================================================
Everyone is allowed to create all user profiles.
=======================================================================
============================= SHOW PROFILES ===========================
=======================================================================
Profiles on interface WiFi:
Group policy profiles read only

User profiles

=======================================================================
========================== SHOW PROFILES NAME=* =======================
=======================================================================
Profile "*" is not found on the system.

=======================================================================
======================= SHOW NETWORKS MODE=BSSID ======================
=======================================================================
Interface name : WiFi
reply
by Codrut Neagu on 10/04/2014 15:33
Sorry, but your network adapter doesn't support hosted networks. Look at the line: "Hosted network
supported : No"
reply
by Varun Gupta on 09/24/2014 08:52
Hi,
I followed all the steps and everything worked fine for me. But I am facing authentication problem even if i
give correct key in my mobile. can you please help me
reply
by Codrut Neagu on 10/04/2014 15:52
Run netshwlanshowdrivers and tell us what you see :
reply
by Palla Sridhar on 10/09/2014 17:27
I'm facing the same problem Authentication Error. I'm using Wireless network adapter connected to my
PC. The Virtual Host is created fine and this wifi is showing in my Android One mobile... But in Android
mobile i get the error..
reply
by Codrut Neagu on 10/14/2014 19:16
Check 3 things:
1. Do you have a proxy set up on your smartphone? If yes, remove it.
2. Check the firewall on your computer. Try disabling it and try the connection again.
3. Make sure the IPs of all your devices are set to auto.
reply
by pranav baldua on 09/27/2014 13:12
hey,
in my laptop it is displaying that
you must run this command from a command prompt with administrator privilege.
help me asap.
reply

by Codrut Neagu on 10/04/2014 15:36

Read this: 5 Ways to Run Programs as Administrator in Windows 7 & Windows 8
reply
by reza on 09/29/2014 13:21
Hi,
I followed all the steps and everything worked fine for me.but can not mobile connected to laptop.
on mobile : "obtaining IP address..."
can you please help me.
reply
by Codrut Neagu on 10/04/2014 15:39
Check your firewall from your laptop of course.
reply
1

next

last

Add new comment

Name *

Email *

Website

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Estecdigoespatrocinadopor:

Hagaclicenelbotnpararevelarelcdigo

Revele

YourAnswer

Notify me when new comments are posted

All comments
Replies to my comment
Preview

Enter search terms here...

Subscribe to 7 Tutorials
DailyWeekly
RSSourFacebook
Windows
Google
Twitter
Windows
Learn
more about
subscription
options

Recommended guides
How To Use & Configure The Glance Screen On Windows Phone Lumias
Tech Lolz: Windows 10 Is Free For Every IQ
Reviewing ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE551ML The ASUS Android Flagship
How To Reserve Your Free Upgrade To Windows 10

Popular guides
How To Update The BIOS Of Your Computer's Motherboard In 5 Steps
How to Delete or Forget Wireless Network Profiles in Windows 8.1
Which Windows Services Are Safe to Disable & When?
Simple Questions: What is WPS WiFi Protected Setup?

Learn Windows
Windows the basics
Read all Windows articles

Learn Windows Phone

Read our Windows Phone articles

Learn from our books

Except where otherwise noted, this site distributes content under a Creative Commons AttributionNoncommercial
Share Alike 3.0 Unported License. Microsoft, Windows and the Windows logo are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft Corporation in no way
endorses or is affiliated with our site. All other products mentioned are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of
their respective companies. This blog is running on the Drupal CMS the best Content Management Platform.