Setting Up Your Wi-Fi Enabled Computer As a Hotspot

Written by Barry Dysert (last updated August 24, 2020)

One great feature of Windows 10 is the ability to easily set up your Wi-Fi enabled computer as a hotspot so you can share your network with others. This capability was introduced a few years ago with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update which came out with relatively little fanfare.

To begin, click Start and Settings. This will take you to the Windows Settings. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. Windows Settings.

Click the Network & Internet icon. This brings up the Network window: (See Figure 2.)

Figure 2. Network Window.

Clicking the "Mobile Hotspot" link on the left changes the right side of the window whose top looks like: (See Figure 3.)

Figure 3. Turning on Mobile Hotspot.

By moving the slider from Off to On, you can start sharing your network connection with anyone in reach. What is not shown in the above figure is the network name and password, but anyone who wants to use your network will have to know these credentials. Also, if you don't like the default name and/or password, there's an Edit button you can click that will allow you to specify your own values for them.

 This tip (13487) applies to Windows 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Disabling Automatic Reboot after a Windows Update

It may not always be a good thing to have Windows automatically restart your computer after an update. This tip tells you ...

Discover More

Using Reliability Monitor

Reliability Monitor provides some measure of how stable your system is. It does this by noting, over time, various types ...

Discover More

Pin Items to the Taskbar

You can improve your efficiency at managing your applications through effective use of the taskbar. This tip shows you ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Saving System Resources with Sleeping Tabs

When more system resources are used by your web browser, your computer will slow down. Turn on sleeping tabs to help free ...

Discover More

Setting the Default Browser

Some people are passionate about the browser they use to access the Web. If you have a favorite browser that you want to ...

Discover More

Using Edge Chromium to Screen Capture a Web Page

Have you ever needed to take a screen capture of a web page? Edge Chromium allows for easy screen capture.

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is five less than 9?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips