Like in previous OS versions, in Windows 10 it is possible to create a software Wi-Fi access point. This access point can be used for creating a local wireless network or sharing Internet connection by several devices. In Windows 10, the access point can only be created and controlled from the command prompt.
So, today we’ll consider how to create a virtual access point based on Windows 10 without additional third party applications. Let’s assume that our system has two network adapters — a wired Ethernet adapter (connected to a provider’s network to get Internet connection) and a wireless Wi-Fi adapter. We want our computer with a Wi-Fi module to be used by other clients such as a Wi-Fi access point and share its Internet connection.
How to Make Sure that a Wi-Fi Adapter Driver Supports Ad-Hoc Mode
Before you start to create an access point, please, make sure that your Wi-Fi adapter driver supports a virtual access point mode (Ad-Hoc). To do it, run this command in the command prompt:
netsh wlan show drivers
“Hosted network supported: Yes” line means that this driver supports running in an access point mode. Otherwise, try to update the driver version or install another Wi-Fi adapter.
How to Create a Virtual Wi-Fi Network
Let’s assume that we want to create a wireless network named Hotspot (SSID networks) with the password ZiZiPass. Start the command prompt (with the Administrator privileges) and run the command:
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=Hotspot key=ZiZiPass
This command will create a new virtual Wi-Fi adapter in the system, which will be used by other wireless devices as an access point. Now, turn on the created virtual adapter:
netsh wlan start hostednetwork
“The hosted network started” line tells that an access point has been turned on successfully.
A new wireless connection named Hotspot will appear in Network and Sharing Center.
Now, other Wi-Fi devices can detect and connect to this access point. Devices connected to such a network can share documents and hardware peripherals but they do not have access to the Internet through this access point yet.
How to Enable Internet Access for the Connected Devices
Now, we will allow all devices connected to the Wi-Fi virtual access point to use a wired network connection to access the Internet. To do it, click the name of the network adapter, which provides the Internet connection, in Network and Sharing Center. In our example, it is the connection named Ethernet.
In a window with network adapter statistics, click Properties.
Go to Sharing tab in the Ethernet Properties window. Check “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection” and select the name of the virtual adapter created previously in the dropdown list.
Save the changes. In the Network and Sharing Center, the type of Hotspot network will be changed to Internet meaning that this network (and all devices connected to it) have an access to the Internet now.
Thus, all devices connecting to the created access point based on Windows 10 access the Internet using the external network interface of the computer.
Possible Errors and Troubleshooting
Answer. To get a wireless network working again, run the hosted network with the command
netsh wlan start hostednetwork
There is no need to specify network name and password once again.
Answer. Run WLAN AutoConfig service from services.msc console or the command prompt:
net start WlanSvc
and start a virtual access point once again
Answer. Make sure that your Wi-Fi adapter is turned on. After that run Device Manager, select Show hidden devices in the View menu. Find Microsoft Hosted Network Virtual Adapter in network adapters section and turn it on. If it has not helped, run these commands one by one:
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=disallow
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow
After that re-create the access point:
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=Hotspot key=ZiZiPass
netsh wlan start hostednetwork
Answer
netsh wlan show hostednetwork
Answer. To stop an access point, run the command:
netsh wlan stop hostednetwork
To delete an access point (SSID and network password are deleted), do the following:
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=disallow
This is the best instruction on the issue I have found, and it worked splendidly. However, after using this for three weeks for so, for some reason it has stopped working. The device (a smartphone) I’m trying to use to access my shared connection does show that it has established a connection, but no data is transferred. This issue has been confirmed on two other devices. Every time I make an access point using these instructions, a connection can be established but no data is being moved – even though these instructions did work well for a couple of weeks. Any idea how so solve this issue?
Try to re-create your acess point as follow:
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=disallownetsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allownetsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=Hotspot key=ZiZiPassnetsh wlan start hostednetworkafter creating hotspot connections but still does not work?
after creating hotspot connections but the internet still does not work?
That’s OK, its running successfully. But I want to create a Hidden ssid so its not visible to all. Is this case possible
It is impossible to hide the SSID of Windows software hotspot. You can disable WI-FI Broadcast only on hardware access point .
In hotspot network supported it says no…what should i do…?????
Update your WiFi adapter driver
i want to to keep running this hotspot even when my pc is in sleep mode
It’s impossible. Windows disables the Wi-Fi adapter in sleep mode
how to set hotspot without password?
samsung phone display ap not currently in use
Thanks a lot for this subject .. My greetings.
It seems we should add DNS setting on the client otherwise we could not connect to the Internet.
Thank you man! This worked! Tried everything before, but this worked! Had to change the ip to static on the client device and set the google DNS.
I have been facing following trouble.what i have to do?
The hosted network couldn’t be started.The group or resource is not in the correct state to perform the requested operation.
oi,estou usando o programa my wifi router 1.0.consegui criar rede wifi,mas nao tem conexao com internet,ja liberei no compartilhameneto do w10,mas nada vc pode ajudar:::
got an error ip configuration failed
having issues obtaining ip address on my android
I use this technology to create a private wifi network. In order to manage domain names, I have created my own dns server in order to answer a specific ip to all devices connected to the network. When I start this DNS server on the port 53 on a windows 7 (the one emitting the wifi), the DNS server is automatically detected by the peers on the network and everything works well. However it is not the case on windows 10. Do you any idea why ?
Thanks
Thanks for the excellent guidelines!
I did everything, but there was no internet access on any device, I tried few things and at last I disabled the virtual LAN and it disappeared.
After that when I try to start the hosted network, there is a message:
“The hosted network couldn’t be started.
The group or resource is not in the correct state to perform the requested operation.”
And I cannot start the hosted network. Any suggestions?