Windows WiFi internet sharing

[(Account no longer active)]

It's really easy to setup WiFi internet sharing in OS X (built into the OS - see below).

 

Is the same possible in Windows 7? (If not, why not? It's 2014! This has been in OS X since Leopard (version 10.5) at least, and more recently, in Linux also.)

 

(Random example found through Google Image Search:)

 

[Anibal P]

Windows has ICS (internet connection sharing) never used it, but it's there 

 

But really, just get a router or a hub, they are better alternatives 

[siah1214]

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/using-internet-connection-sharing

[Ambroos]

Yes, it's been available in Windows for ages and works very well. You can even share WiFi to another WiFi connection. I use it all the time in Windows 7.

 

There's some command-line involved (there are some tools but I don't trust them) but once you get the hang of it it's super-simple:

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/enable-internet-sharing-wifi-hotspot-windows-8 - exact same steps for Windows 7.

[(Account no longer active)]

Windows has ICS (internet connection sharing) never used it, but it's there 

 

But really, just get a router or a hub, they are better alternatives 

I heard that about XP. There was an app called Connectify that enabled it but it's no longer free.

 

It seems Windows 7 actually has it inbuilt - I will give it a go:

http://lifehacker.com/5369381/turn-your-windows-7-pc-into-a-wireless-hotspot

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/using-internet-connection-sharing

Yes, it's been available in Windows for ages and works very well. You can even share WiFi to another WiFi connection. I use it all the time in Windows 7.

 

There's some command-line involved (there are some tools but I don't trust them) but once you get the hang of it it's super-simple:

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/enable-internet-sharing-wifi-hotspot-windows-8 - exact same steps for Windows 7.

Thanks! I will give those a go tomorrow.

[trek]

ICS was introduced with Windows ME afaik.

[+BudMan MVC]

I would ask its 2014, why would anyone have need of such a feature..  This might have been useful when wireless routers were not common..  But you can pick up a switch or AP, etc. for $20 at your local computer store or have it at your door in a couple of days from online...  Why would anyone need to share their connection off their desktop/laptop??  Its a feature that has no use in 2014

 

if need be I fire up a hotspot off my freaking phone ;)

 

It was of use when you had a dialup modem, and your shiny new Pentium CPU computer that cost you a grand and had a 10/100 mbit nic in it, you could use a cross over cable to connect your older 486 machine to the internet using its 10mbit nic.

 

If you think you need this, or even actually use it - your doing it wrong ;)  If you wireless on your network - use an AP, use multiple ones spread around your house to give you full coverage.  If you need more ports on your network - buy another switch, buy a switch with more ports.  If you have need of a wired device with no way to connect a wireless interface to it to get on a wireless network - buy a wireless bridge.  Repurpose your old wireless router as a wireless bridge, etc..

 

BTW - windows introduced ICS back in 98 Second Edition, early 1999 I believe is when that came out.  15 years ago..

[+PeterUK MVC]

I would ask its 2014, why would anyone have need of such a feature..  This might have been useful when wireless routers were not common..  But you can pick up a switch or AP, etc. for $20 at your local computer store or have it at your door in a couple of days from online...  Why would anyone need to share their connection off their desktop/laptop??  Its a feature that has no use in 2014

But with wireless routers that do LAN to WAN can you use the force...sorry source of your WAN and have a LAN to do LAN to WAN for other devices and trusting MS then what 3rd party routers are up too.

[+BudMan MVC]

What??  Sorry PeterUK, use the force? 

 

"source of your WAN and have a LAN to do LAN to WAN for other devices"

 

what???  Ya lost me.. 

[blerk]

I would ask its 2014, why would anyone have need of such a feature..  This might have been useful when wireless routers were not common..  But you can pick up a switch or AP, etc. for $20 at your local computer store or have it at your door in a couple of days from online...  Why would anyone need to share their connection off their desktop/laptop??  Its a feature that has no use in 2014

 

if need be I fire up a hotspot off my freaking phone ;)

 

It was of use when you had a dialup modem, and your shiny new Pentium CPU computer that cost you a grand and had a 10/100 mbit nic in it, you could use a cross over cable to connect your older 486 machine to the internet using its 10mbit nic.

 

If you think you need this, or even actually use it - your doing it wrong ;)  If you wireless on your network - use an AP, use multiple ones spread around your house to give you full coverage.  If you need more ports on your network - buy another switch, buy a switch with more ports.  If you have need of a wired device with no way to connect a wireless interface to it to get on a wireless network - buy a wireless bridge.  Repurpose your old wireless router as a wireless bridge, etc..

 

BTW - windows introduced ICS back in 98 Second Edition, early 1999 I believe is when that came out.  15 years ago..

 

On some networks I use - the policy is each user (not each device) only gets one connection. As I generally am using a laptop whenever I am on these networks, I share my connection to my phone. 

 

For this task I use Virtual Router Plus. (I use it as it is the only way I can reliably share my connection with my Android phone.) Only downside to this program is an annoying adware-supported installer. 

[+PeterUK MVC]

What??  Sorry PeterUK, use the force? 

 

"source of your WAN and have a LAN to do LAN to WAN for other devices"

 

what???  Ya lost me..

I'm sure you work it out. ;)

[+BudMan MVC]

^ you mean like 1 connection, like what your $20 wireless router does by design.  I creates 1 connection to the network and then shares it with wireless devices and or wired devices making it look like 1 connection via NAPT.. Using only 1 IP address - you mean like that 1 connection per user?

 

What network are you on that limits your connection to 1 user?  School -- I would guess school?

 

Are you talking like intel my wifi that has your wireless card look like 2, and can fire up a hotspot?  That was hot tech back in what 2007, 2008?  Why don't you just carry around something like this if you need portable functionality to provide wireless or wired access to other devices, etc.

 

http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-WR700N-Wireless-Portable-Repeater/dp/B006DEBYWU

 

Its a whole $15...  Clearly blow the bank on someone that has multiple devices, or a mac anything, etc ;)

 

edit:  No peter I wont, because its Gibberish..

 

"source of your WAN and have a LAN to do LAN to WAN for other devices""

 

Sorry but that is gibberish..  If you talking about having a device provide access to the network be it wired or wireless..  That is a switch, or a AP or router, etc..  Like the $15 one I just linked too.

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

One does not simply say "use the force", and make it apply to everything. You have a lot to learn, young Jedi apprentice. ;) (trust me, I'm a Jedi * uses Jedi mind trick *)

[+PeterUK MVC]

edit:  No peter I wont, because its Gibberish..

 

"source of your WAN and have a LAN to do LAN to WAN for other devices""

 

Sorry but that is gibberish..  If you talking about having a device provide access to the network be it wired or wireless..  That is a switch, or a AP or router, etc..  Like the $15 one I just linked too.

Your cutting the quote here is this better for you ?use the source of your WAN and have a LAN to do LAN to WAN for other devices?.

 

You can't use the source of your WAN with a normal wireless router.