There is a need to distribute the Internet from a computer or laptop wirelessly. For example, a user purchased a smartphone or tablet in order to access the network without acquiring a router. In this situation, it is possible to distribute the Internet from your laptop, connected to the network both wired and wirelessly. It would seem that a laptop is only able to receive a signal, and not give out. How then is it possible to distribute the Internet with its help? For this, special software is used - virtual routers.
Easy distribution of the Internet from a laptop with a wired connection
Many people who were interested in distribution heard that there was a virtual WiFi router. Windows 7 supports the well-known program Virtual Router. She also has a version with the word “plus” at the end. This is a free program made from the original open source version. It has few differences from the original. This virtual Wi-Fi router was clean at first, and then began to deliver suspicious programs to the user's computer that were hard to refuse. The program itself is simple and good, but when you download and install it, you need to be extremely careful, since few people want to pick up a virus or unwanted software.
The method for distributing the Internet using this program is quite simple and understandable. The only drawback is that the laptop must have a wired Internet connection. Otherwise, the utility will not work. After the virtual router is installed (Windows 8 also supports it), the user will see a window where only the following parameters will need to be entered:
- The name of the wireless network through which the distribution will take place.
- Connection password, which must consist of eight or more characters.
- The general connection field where you need to select the connection through which the laptop connects to the network.
After all the settings are entered, you need to click on the start button. The program will be minimized and a success message will be displayed. After that, you can connect to the Internet through a virtual WiFi router. Windows 7 copes with this without any problems.
If the laptop does not have a wired, but a Wi-Fi connection, then the program will start, but will not connect to the virtual router, since there will be a failure when trying to obtain an IP address.
The initial version of Virtual Router is also a virtual router. Windows 7 and later support it. The program has open source. When downloading, additional unwanted software is not installed. Distribution of the Internet from a laptop is exactly the same as in the new version. The difference is the lack of the Russian language. But this is not a problem. The settings are the same: network name, password, connection.
MyPublicWiFi
Virtual routers are different. This utility has many positive reviews, since with its help many manage to start distribution when others could not cope. Another advantage is the absence of unwanted elements when installed on a computer.
After this virtual WiFi router is installed, Windows 7 will need to reboot. You must run the utility with administrator rights. In the main window, you must also specify the network name, password that protects the connection and mark the connection that will be distributed over the wireless network. That's all the settings. It remains only to start the distribution. Virtual routers are convenient in that they are very easy to use. Other tabs of this program contain information about those connected to the network. Here you can set traffic limits.
Connectify Program
This tool is also designed to distribute the Internet from a laptop. The program is paid, and it costs like a medium-quality router. But there is also a free version that allows you to distribute Wi-Fi to other devices. This virtual WiFi router supports Windows 7, 8, 10. The program requires installation, and then a service is created and a reboot is required. The program is not the most convenient, as it installs additional software and requires user registration. After starting, a welcome window appears, which you can simply skip. Further, you do not need to enter the mail address and password, but simply click on the button to use the program.
Distribution setting
The next step is to configure the access point. The free version does not allow changing its name, and it will remain as it is by default. Then you need to enter a strong password and specify the connection to the network that will be used for distribution. It's all. Now you can connect to a laptop as an access point.
Possible distribution problems
Users who use virtual routers often encounter problems and errors. The most common ones are:
- The program displays a message that the virtual router cannot be started or the network type is not supported. The solution might be updating the driver for a laptop network card . It is better to download the new version from the official website of the device manufacturer.
- The phone or tablet connects to the new access point, but does not go online. It is necessary to check that exactly the connection through which the network is accessed on the laptop is configured for distribution. One of the common reasons may be blocking the general access to the Internet by a firewall or antivirus program. This option should not be excluded.
Summary
Of course, there are other programs and tools for distributing the Internet through a laptop or computer to other devices. But the most affordable are virtual routers. They are easy to use, easy to configure, and many of them are free. The main thing is that the device has a wireless module capable of distribution, as well as the latest drivers for this module. And then you don’t have to spend money on a router, stretch a bunch of wires around the house, or call a specialist who will also have to pay. With a virtual router, any user himself will figure it out without much difficulty. Settings for such programs are the simplest.