how to make laptop a WiFi hotspot?

What is WiFi hotspot:  A hotspot is any machine that offers Internet access over a wireless LAN through the use of a router connected to a link to an Internet service provider. Hotspots typically use Wi-Fi technology for the wireless network. {See: Definition from Google}

Many of us have laptops with the internet connection Ethernet/Wireless, which needs to be shared with the friends/colleagues. If they have WiFi enabled devices (any smart phones, laptops or Tablets), it is not a big deal to turn our laptop into a mobile Wifi hotspot without any need of Wifi router.

How to Cinfigure in Windows XP?

• Click on Start button, select Control Panel.
• Double click on Network Connections option.
• Right click on the Wireless Network Connection and choose Properties from the list.
• Choose Wireless Networks tab.
• Check Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings checkbox.

• Click on Add button.
• Enter the Network Name (SSID) of your own WiFi name.

• Choose Network Authentication option to "Shared". And click on OK.
• We can secure the Wifi by providing the Network Key. It is a password which needs to be entered when anyone is going to connect to this network.
• Now it will display the newly added Wifi in the list.
• Select the Wifi name and click on the Advanced button.
• Select Computer-to-computer (ad hoc) networks only radio button and click on the Close button.

Now the laptop is ready to share the Wifi with the other devices. Now we have to tell the Windows, from which internet connection it needs to share the internet. Here we are sharing the connection from Ethernet.

• Go to Local Area Connections, right click it and select properties.
• Go to the Advanced tab.
• Under Internet Connection Sharing section select the box “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection”.
• Make sure the box under that option is NOT selected so that no one can disable the network remotely.
• Click on Ok.

Now the set up is ready. The friends/colleages around you are now able to connect to the newly added Wifi. You can enjoy the unlimited internet by sharing the single internet connection. It best works when you have a very good speed.

Please feel free to drop your comments if the post really helps you.