Solved Use built in WiFi as hot spot?

[bug67]

I was using [url="http://www.connectify.me/]Connectify[/url] to use my laptop's built in wireless features to broadcast a wireless signal. That way, I could use the laptop as a wireless hot spot. However, with the latest Connectify update, unless I pay for the "Pro" version, this feature has been removed.

Does anyone know how to get this ability back? Free is preferred. Built into Windows 7 is even more preferred. Thanks!

 

[DMHolt57]

See if this is what your are looking for... Virtual Router - Wifi Hot Spot for Windows 7 / 2008 R2 - Download: 0.9 Beta

or...

How to Setup Virtual Wifi on Windows 7
1. Open a command-prompt with administrator privileges.

Click on Start menu, All Programs, Accessories, right-click on Command Prompt, select “Run as administrator”). Type in:

2. Configure the “hosted” interface:

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=Test key=password

This example creates an access-point with an SSID of “Test”,

3. Configure Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

Open up the networking control panel. Select the interface that currently has Internet connection (like your Ethernet or normal wifi), enable “Sharing”, and then select the special “hosted” interface.

4. Start it

netsh wlan start hostednetwork

 

[bug67]

See if this is what your are looking for... Virtual Router - Wifi Hot Spot for Windows 7 / 2008 R2 - Download: 0.9 Beta

Checking it out...

or...

How to Setup Virtual Wifi on Windows 7
1. Open a command-prompt with administrator privileges.

Click on Start menu, All Programs, Accessories, right-click on Command Prompt, select “Run as administrator”). Type in:

2. Configure the “hosted” interface:

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=Test key=password

This example creates an access-point with an SSID of “Test”,

3. Configure Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

Open up the networking control panel. Select the interface that currently has Internet connection (like your Ethernet or normal wifi), enable “Sharing”, and then select the special “hosted” interface.

4. Start it

netsh wlan start hostednetwork

This method worked. However, is it something I need to do every time I restart the computer? Is this good to go from now on? Do I just go into Network Settings and select "VirtualWiFi" and turn it on?

I like the Virtual Router software. I couldn't get it to work though. Probably because I didn't have my LAN connection set up to share? I'd rather not have to use 3rd party if Windows can do it all by itself.

EDIT:

OK. The Virtual Router software does not seem to work at all.

And, in an attempt to discover if the manual, command prompt method could easily be turned on and off, it appears I have royally messed things up!

I went into Network Settings and disabled "Wireless Network Connection 2". This was my VirtualWiFi hotspot. Then, when I went to enable it, it had the red X on it seen in attachment #2.

OK, I'll go into the command prompt and

netsh wlan start hostednetwork

That got rid of the red X (attachment 3) but nothing is connecting. My devices (iPhone/iPad) say they are connected to wireless network "VirtualWiFi" but, they are not.

I also tried to delete ""Wireless Network Connection 2" from within Windows Explorer but, it wouldn't let me.

At this point, I'd kinda like some direction on how to completely start over...

 

[DMHolt57]

make sure you kill the virtual router in processes...can't run both at once.
...and I suppose a simple batch file run as administrator on startup might work...not sure...sorry.
we have a few network guys lurkin' round that might jump in here and explain better....

 

[bug67]

I feel like such a n00b sometimes. I started poking around again and got it working somehow. Thanks for your help!

 

[DMHolt57]

...well, if you can't break it, you're not tryin' hard enough to learn what's goin ' on...lol. Have a good day...

 

[xenonforlife]

I have the same problem..could you please help!

I feel like such a n00b sometimes. I started poking around again and got it working somehow. Thanks for your help!

I did post a separate thread for it but no one seems to know how to solve it...so heres what it is...please take a look if you have some time..any help would be highly appreciated...

Ok so I have established a Virtual Wifi Miniport and would like to share my laptops internet via the Miniport. Whenever I connect my android phone with this access point, it works perfectly for a few minutes and then all of a sudden there is no internet on the phone. The phone remains connected to the laptop hotspot but the internet access is no more there. Now at this point if I disconnect the connection between my phone and the hotspot and then again try to reconnect back again, it wont even connect. The phone will keep on searching and shows connecting status but can never connect. I have tried all sorts of softwares connectify, virtual router, intel mywifi and even tried to create a hotspot from the cmd using netsh command. All the hotspots work in the exact same way intially works perfect but maybe after half an hour internet is gone. I have completed all the steps properly even changed the settings in the laptop adapter with interet access to allow other networks to connect but nothing seems to work. I have a Windows 7 Machine and my wireless adapter is Intel(R) Centrino(R) Wireless N-100 and the drivers are up to date according to windows. I know that its a problem with my laptop/OS or something because my android phone can connect and remain connected( without losing internet ) to the connectify hotspot in my wifi enabled desktop PC.I am breaking my head over this for the past 15 days even formatted my system once but no use. Please help if you can..please!