03/08/2015

HowtoSetUpanAdHocWirelessComputertoComputerNetworkinWindows7

ALL CONTENT

DOWNLOADS TUTORIALS PLATFORMS REVIEWS BLOG ABOUT

BEST OF

How to Set Up an Ad Hoc Wireless Computer

toComputer Network in Windows 7
By Ciprian Adrian Rusen on 01/20/2010

Share on

Have you ever needed to create network between two laptops and you did not have a
network cable available? As it turns out, you can create an ad hoc network using their
wireless networks cards. You can use that network to transfer any kind of files between
the two, as if they were on a normal network. If you are curios to learn how it works
and how it can be done in Windows 7, don't hesitate to read this tutorial. The guide will be split
into three parts: creating the ad hoc wireless network, connecting other computers to it, and
sharing files & folders on the newly created network.
NOTE: Before following any of these steps, make sure wireless is turned on, on the computers
between which you are about to create the adhoc network.

Step 1: Creating the Ad Hoc Wireless Network

First, open the Network and Sharing Center. Click on 'Set up a new connection or network'.

The 'Set Up a Connection or Network' wizard will now start. With it, you can configure all types of
connections, from a normal network to a VPN connection to your company network or an ad
hoc computertocomputer network. From the list of choices, select 'Set up a wireless ad hoc
(computertocomputer) network', and click Next.

http://www.7tutorials.com/howsetadhocwirelesscomputercomputernetwork

1/9

03/08/2015

HowtoSetUpanAdHocWirelessComputertoComputerNetworkinWindows7

You will see a new window which describes the things you can do on a wireless ad hoc network.
Read the contents of the window and click Next.

Now it is time to set up the network. First, type the network name and then select the security
type you want to use. For more security, I recommend you choose WPA2Personal. It provides
better encryption and it is much harder to crack than WEP. Then, type the password you want to
use and, in case you want to use this network on other occasions, check the box that says 'Save
this network'. When done, click Next.

The wizard will now create the network. This activity should take no more than a few seconds.

http://www.7tutorials.com/howsetadhocwirelesscomputercomputernetwork

2/9

03/08/2015

HowtoSetUpanAdHocWirelessComputertoComputerNetworkinWindows7

When finished, you will receive a notification that the network has been created and it is ready
to use. Make sure you don't forget the password and then click on Close.

Your laptop will now broadcast this newly created network and it will wait for other computers
to connect.

Step 2: Connecting Other Computers to the Network

Now it is time to connect other computers to this network. On the client computer, click the
network icon from the notification area and you will see the list of available networks. Select the
ad hoc network which you just created and click on Connect.

http://www.7tutorials.com/howsetadhocwirelesscomputercomputernetwork

3/9

03/08/2015

HowtoSetUpanAdHocWirelessComputertoComputerNetworkinWindows7

You will be asked to type the password. When done, click on OK.

Windows 7 will now take a few seconds to connect to the network.

When done, the window shown above will be gone and you can now start using the network.

Step 3: Sharing Files & Folders on the Network

After setting up an ad hoc computertocomputer network and connecting all client computers,
one would assume that features such as file sharing, networking discovery, etc. will be working
and you would be able to start sharing the content you need. Unfortunately this is not the case.
After a client is connected, it will spend a few seconds identifying the network. When this
happens, the Network and Sharing Center will look similar to the screenshot below.

http://www.7tutorials.com/howsetadhocwirelesscomputercomputernetwork

4/9

03/08/2015

HowtoSetUpanAdHocWirelessComputertoComputerNetworkinWindows7

After the network is identified, Windows 7 will assign to it the public network profile. This means
that you cannot share anything. Another problem is the fact that you cannot change the
assigned network profile from public to work or home.

This means that you have to manually change the network and sharing settings for the public
network profile. To learn how to do this, check out our tutorial on How to Customize Network
Sharing Settings in Windows 7. Make sure you turn on all the features you need for the public
network profile on all computers which are part of your network.
SECURITY WARNING: when you disconnect from the ad hoc network, make sure you reset the
network sharing settings for the public network profile. If you keep them unchanged, the next
time you connect to a different public network, your computer might be at risk by allowing
others to have access to your files and folders. So, make sure you reset these settings to their
default values when you are done.

Conclusion
This feature can be useful when you need to connect your laptop with another person's to
quickly share some files. With further configuration you can also use this type of network
connection to share the internet connection on one of the computers.
The not so fortunate part is that it seems impossible to easily change the network profile
assigned to this type of connection. In most cases it will be stuck to public and you will need to
manually change the network sharing settings of the public network profile. This, as mentioned
above, can lead to security problems in case you connect to other truly public networks.
If you know a solution to this problem or you have some other interesting tips to share, don't
hesitate to leave a comment.
Discover more: Recommended Tutorials Network and

Share on

Internet Wireless Windows

Related articles:
Simple Questions: What are Network Locations in Windows 7 & Windows 8?
How to Share Libraries & Folders with the Sharing Wizard in Windows
How to Share Folders Using Advanced Sharing in Windows
Want to Stop Using the Safely Remove Hardware Notification Icon?

EarnAUNICAFScholarship!

Comments
http://www.7tutorials.com/howsetadhocwirelesscomputercomputernetwork

5/9

03/08/2015

HowtoSetUpanAdHocWirelessComputertoComputerNetworkinWindows7

by Vic on 01/21/2010 19:26

Useful article :
reply
by Jack B. on 03/19/2010 02:47
Ad hoc wireless computertocomputer networks plus Internet sharing saved my life last
week when I was stuck in an apartment with Time Warner Cable which doesn't allow you to
use nonapproved wireless routers. Turned my EEE PC running Windows 7 into a router and
hopped on the Internet with my Macbook. It was splendid.
reply
by help on 09/08/2010 06:08
Please help me. Everytime i create a new set up a new connection or network, the message
"It might take up to 90 seconds seconds for unconfigured device on your network to appear"
is always displayed. But no Option for "Set up a wireless ad hoc" is appears. Please help me.
BTW, i am using Windows 7 Starter. thanks!
reply
by Ciprian Adrian Rusen on 08/29/2011 20:51
I don't think Windows 7 Starter includes the functionality required for you to create adhoc
networks.
reply
by yusef on 12/14/2014 09:33
hi
go to device manager in control panel and then click on network adapters. see which one
is yellow and then right click and select "enable". probably your wireless network adapter is
disabled.
reply
by niko on 10/11/2010 20:43
i can make a adhoc connection in windows 7 and i can share internet on them but i can,t
connect to this network whit macboook pro mc373
please help me!!!!!!!!
reply
by sudha s. on 01/03/2011 08:25
How do the 2nd computer be named? How does it be identified by the first computer which
we entered as WPA2Personal?
reply
by Master Mind on 11/10/2011 13:14
I successfully managed to get Home Network profile by manually assigning IP to both my
laptops.After creating Adhoc network as usual disconnect and manually assign IP to both
laptop.
PC 1: 192.168.1.101, Subnet mask:255.255.255.0, Gateway: 192.168.1.102
PC 2: 192.168.1.102, Subnet mask:255.255.255.0, Gateway: 192.168.1.101
This give me Home Network everytime, no more Public Network.
I think of this from XP adhoc configuration.
But what if I want to add more pc to my network cause there will be problem in default
gateway then,right???
reply

http://www.7tutorials.com/howsetadhocwirelesscomputercomputernetwork

6/9

03/08/2015

HowtoSetUpanAdHocWirelessComputertoComputerNetworkinWindows7

by WiMAN on 12/29/2012 08:46

use this simple tool to create wifi adhoc networks in windows 8......
http://www.softpedia.com/get/NetworkTools/MiscNetworkingTools/WiMAN....
reply
by kit on 05/16/2013 18:49
Hi
i created the ad hoc connection in my laptop but i cant connect my nokia or apple phone on
this network. It just says, cant connect. I dont know how to work this out. Can anyone help?
reply
by alina on 07/04/2013 20:57
Today I managed to set up an ad hoc connection but I am afraid I`ve done something wrong
because now the option doesn`t appear anymore.Could you please help me?
reply
by Prashant on 10/24/2013 07:24
Hi,
I'm able to create an ad hoc network in my wista laptop, but same couldn't visible in other
devices like mobile when i search for WIFI networks. tried all possible way but no use. please
help.
reply
by Vishal on 02/10/2015 17:02
Created adhoc newtork in my windows 7 laptop but it is not visible in my mobile when
searched for WiFi.
In my laptop Signal Strength is showing no signal. Why so? What to do? Pls help me out.
reply
by Subham on 02/16/2015 10:55
please help me i want to share my internet connection as hotspot for using in mobile so
please help
reply
by Bob on 06/13/2015 20:31
This is a good article indeed! But can I achieve the same thing using command prompt ??
Please reply.
reply
by Barry Jones on 07/17/2015 10:09
Is it possible to share an internet connection from a desktop PC with any wireless
devicemobile/laptop without using any extra hardwarewifi router,wifi card etc ?
reply
by Kana Pitpit on 07/27/2015 06:51
Hi there, I create an adhoc on my Win 7 PC and successfully connected my Win 8 Laptop but
can not access the internet. Tried trouble shooting and diagnosis but did not work. Please
Help.
reply

Add new comment

http://www.7tutorials.com/howsetadhocwirelesscomputercomputernetwork

7/9

03/08/2015

HowtoSetUpanAdHocWirelessComputertoComputerNetworkinWindows7

Name *
Email *
Website
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam
submissions.
Enterthefollowing:

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 Upgrade Your Windows 8.1 Or Windows 7 PC To Windows 10
TODAY!
How To Install Windows 10 Using A Retail Disc Or ISO Image
Top 12 Most Exciting New Features Of Windows 10
Top 12 Lesser Known Features & Improvements In Windows 10
http://www.7tutorials.com/howsetadhocwirelesscomputercomputernetwork

8/9

03/08/2015

HowtoSetUpanAdHocWirelessComputertoComputerNetworkinWindows7

Popular guides
15 Best Mouse Cursor Schemes For Windows
Simple Questions: What is WPS WiFi Protected Setup?
How to Copy a Disc CD, DVD or BluRay in Windows
5 Tools to Password Protect Your Folders in Windows

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 Attribution
NoncommercialShare 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.

http://www.7tutorials.com/howsetadhocwirelesscomputercomputernetwork

9/9