How to Turn Your Windows Laptop into a Wi-Fi Hotspot

Turn Your Windows PC Into a Wi-Fi Hotspot the Easy Way

Connectify Hotspot is an easy-to-use virtual router program that lets you share Internet from your laptop, PC or tablet with your smartphone, media player, game console, e-reader, other laptops and tablets, and even your nearby friends. Whether you’re traveling, at home, or just working from a coffee shop, Connectify Hotspot keeps you connected anytime and anywhere. Follow along below as we explain how to turn your laptop into a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Connectify Hotspot is available for Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7 as well as Windows Server 2008 R2 and Server 2012.

How To Share a Wired or Wireless Internet Connection with Windows

Turn your Windows PC into a Wifi Hotspot

Setting up a Wi-Fi Hotspot on your Laptop with Connectify Hotspot

  1. Download and install the latest version of Connectify Hotspot on your PC or laptop.
  2. Give your Hotspot a Name (SSID) and Password. In the Connectify Hotspot 2017 you can even add Emojis and Special Characters to your Hotspot Name!
  3. Press the ‘Start Hotspot’ button to share your Internet connection. Make sure you have the ad blocker option selected,
    to save bandwidth, money and battery life.
  4. Connect your devices. Any Wi-Fi enabled devices can connect to your Hotspot!

Setup · about two minutes

Get Connectify Hotspot running on your Windows PC

Three steps, no command prompt, no netsh commands to remember.

  1. Install and open Connectify Hotspot

    Run the installer and let the install finish. Connectify Hotspot opens on its own.

    Connectify Hotspot open on the settings tab

  2. Pick what you are sharing

    Choose the connection your Windows PC is already using, then set a hotspot name and password.

    Choosing which internet connection Connectify Hotspot will share

  3. Start Hotspot

    Your phone, tablet or console now sees the network name you just typed. Connect to that network like any other Wi-Fi.

    Setting a custom hotspot name and password in Connectify Hotspot
Download Connectify Hotspot

Available for Windows 10 and 11

Additional Benefits of Running Your Own Personal Wi-Fi Hotspot

  • Boost Your Range Instantly with Wi-Fi Repeater Mode: Easily extend the range of your existing Wi-Fi network!
  • Save Money While Traveling: Stuck at a hotel that charges for Internet per-device? With Connectify Hotspot, join the Wi-Fi, start a hotspot, and get all of your devices online for the price of one.
  • Share any Type of Internet Connection with All your Devices: With Connectify Hotspot you can share Internet from existing Wi-Fi networks, ethernet, 3G/4G, even tethered smart phones!

Get started quickly and easily with Connectify Hotspot for FREE! There’s no need to sign-up for an account – just turn it on and you’re ready to go!

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Free, PRO or MAX

Which version of Connectify Hotspot you need

FREE Everything works, but each session stops after 60 minutes and you start the session again. Download → PRO No session limit, and you can share any connection your Windows PC has, including a tethered phone or a 4G or 5G dongle. Buy PRO → MAX Everything in PRO, plus Connectify Hotspot's Repeater Mode and Bridging Mode. Recommended Buy MAX →

The free version of Connectify Hotspot covers the setup in this guide. The only limit you will hit is the 60-minute session, and restarting the session takes one click.

Recommended: MAX adds Connectify Hotspot's Repeater Mode and Bridging Mode, which is what most people come back for later.

Download Connectify Hotspot

Available for Windows 10 and 11