Create a Mobile Hotspot on Windows 10
Edited by Jay, Visihow Admin
When we think of WiFi hotspots, we tend to associate them with mobile devices such as phones and tablets. In fact, here at VisiHow, we've written about creating mobile hotspots for Android Oreo, Nougat, Lollipop and Marshmallow. However, the focus of this tutorial is about how to setup a mobile hotspot with Windows 10, so you can share your internet connection wirelessly, with other devices.
Being able to create a mobile hotspot on your PC has its advantages. For instance, if you find that you always have to hand over your router's WiFi password to your friends or guests, you could run into security issues down the road. Most people save the WiFi networks they connect via their device's connection settings, and in the event, one of your friends loses his or her's phone, the security of your home network could be compromised. Changing the password on your hotspot or configuring who is allowed access is much more convenient than changing the master password on your router or modem.
In the following VisiHow, we'll walk through the steps of settings up a Mobile Hotspot, on a PC running Windows 10. We'll also show how to connect to it with a couple of mobile devices.
**Please Note**
If you're using a desktop PC it will have to have a wireless adapter installed to be able to share its network via a mobile hotspot. If you're using a reasonably modern laptop, it will most likely be equipped with a wireless adapter, whether it's connected to your router/modem with network cable or using WiFi.
Turn on Mobile Hotspot in Windows 10
- 1On your keyboard, press the Windows key + X at the same time.
- 2From the quick link menu, click "Settings".
- 3From the Settings window, click "Network & Internet".
- 4On the Network & Internet." Window, click "Mobile hotspot".
- 5Toggle the switch to enable Mobile hotspot, then click the "Edit" button to continue editing the network information.
- 6Here on the Edit network info window is where you can; rename the hotspot, change the password, and select the network band.Name the hotspot, enter a password (minimum 8 characters), and click the drop-down to select the network band.
- 7For our example, we selected 2.4GHz.From the Network band drop-down you can choose; 5GHz, Any available, or 2.4GHZ.Click "Save" once all the information is entered correctly.
- 8Now your PC is ready to share your internet.Back on the Mobile hotspot window, you'll see the information you just added.
Connect to Windows 10 Mobile Hotspot with Android Nougat
- 1On the home screen, swipe up to access the app tray.
- 2From the app tray, tap the "Settings" icon.
- 3On the SETTINGS" screen, tap "Connections".
- 4On the WiFi screen, make sure it's enabled by toggling the switch, then tap it to view the available networks within range.
- 5Locate and tap the Windows 10 hotspot, then enter the password in the pop-up box, then tap "CONNECT".
- 6Once connected, the Windows 10 hotspot will display inside the WiFi setting on the CONNECTIONS screen.
Connect to Windows 10 Mobile Hotspot with Android Oreo
- 1From the home screen, swipe up or tap the arrow to access the app drawer.
Connect to Windows 10 Mobile Hotspot with a Windows PC
- 1When the list appears, click the Windows 10 hotspot, then click "Connect".First, click the network icon to view the list of available networks.You can check "Connect automatically" if you want to skip entering the password each time you use the hotspot.
- 2When the Connect to a network windows appears, enter the security key, then click "OK".
- 3For our example, we selected "Home network".Depending on your version of Windows, you may be prompted to set a network location for the hotspot.
- 4If you were prompted with the previous step, click "Close" to set the network location.
- 5Now when you click the network icon in the notification area, the Windows 10 hotspot will display as "Connected".
If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.
