Windows 7 / Networking

Creating an Ad Hoc Wireless Network

If you don't have a wireless access point, Windows 7 enables you to set up a temporary network between two or more computers. This is an ad hoc connection, and it's useful if you need to share folders, devices, or an Internet connection temporarily. Note that the computers must be within 30 feet of each other for this type of connection to work.

Here are the steps to follow to create an ad hoc wireless network:

  1. Open the Manage Wireless Networks window, as described earlier.
  2. Click Add. Windows 7 displays the How Do You Want to Add a Network? dialog box.
  3. Click Create an Ad Hoc Network. Windows 7 displays the Set Up a Wireless Ad Hoc Network dialog box.
  4. Click Next.
  5. Provide the following data to set up the network:
    • Network Name-The name of the ad hoc network.
    • Security Type-The security protocol used by the ad hoc wireless network. Select No Authentication (Open) if you want the network to be unsecured.
    • Security Key-Type the key or password required for authorized access to the ad hoc network.
    • Save This Network-Activate this check box to save the network in the Manage Wireless Networks list.
  6. Click Next. Windows 7 sets up the ad hoc network.
  7. If you want to share your computer's Internet connection, click Turn on Internet Connection Sharing.
  8. Click Close. Windows 7 adds the ad hoc network to your list of networks in the Manage Wireless Networks window.

NOTE Another way to begin the process of creating an ad hoc wireless network is to open the Network and Sharing Center, click the Set Up a Connection or Network link to open the Choose a Connection Option dialog box, select Set Up a Wireless Ad Hoc (Computer-to-Computer) Network, and then click Next.

Now, other people within 30 feet of your computer will see your ad hoc network in their list of available wireless networks. Note that the network remains available as long as at least one computer is connected to it, including the computer that created the network. The network is discarded when all computers (including the machine that created the network) have disconnected from it.

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In this tutorial:

  1. Setting a Small Network
  2. Setting Up a Peer-to-Peer Network
  3. Changing the Computer and Workgroup Name
  4. Connecting to a Wireless Network
  5. Working with Windows 7's Basic Network Tools and Tasks
  6. Accessing the Network and Sharing Center
  7. Setting Up a Homegroup
  8. Activating Homegroup Connections
  9. Creating a Homegroup
  10. Joining a Homegroup
  11. Accessing the Homegroup
  12. Changing Homegroup Settings
  13. Turning Off Homegroup Connections
  14. Viewing Network Computers and Devices
  15. Displaying a Network Map
  16. Viewing Network Status Details
  17. Customizing Your Network
  18. Managing Network Connections
  19. Opening the Network Connections Window
  20. Renaming a Network Connection
  21. Enabling Automatic IP Addressing
  22. Confirming That Windows 7 Is Configured for Dynamic IP Addressing
  23. Displaying the Computer's Current IP Address
  24. Setting Up a Static IP Address
  25. Displaying the Current DNS Addresses
  26. Specifying the Static IP Address
  27. Using a Network Connection to Wake Up a Sleeping Computer
  28. Disabling a Network Connection
  29. Managing Wireless Network Connections
  30. Opening the Manage Wireless Networks Window
  31. Creating an Ad Hoc Wireless Network
  32. Working with Wireless Connection Properties
  33. Modifying Connection Properties
  34. Modifying Security Properties
  35. Renaming Wireless Connections
  36. Reordering Wireless Connections
  37. Creating User-Specific Wireless Connections
  38. Removing Wireless Connections