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Virtual Router: create a wi-fi hotspot using a wifi-enabled PC and a wired internet connection

August 27, 2010 By 26 Comments

Imagine the following situation: you have multiple wireless-enabled PCs or devices, a wired internet connection, and no wireless router to connect a wi-fi hotspot. Would it be possible to use the wireless adapter from your PC to create a mobile hotspot that can be used to provide all of your wireless enabled devices with an internet connection?

The answer is yes, provided that (a) your PC runs Windows 7, and (b) you install and run a free program called Virtual Router. Aside from being completely free, this program is noteworthy in that setting up your wireless hotspot is simplicity itself.: all you need to do is run the program, provide a a name and password for your network, and you’re done. Your wi-fi hotspot will be up and running within minutes.

Windows 7 (and Windows server 2008) have new ’Virtual Wifi’ and ’Wireless Hosted Network’ features that make it possible for your PC to set up a wi-fi hotspot, provided, of course, that the wifi device and its driver support this feature as well. This means that this software will have to run on Windows 7 to work but will not run on XP or Vista. If you are wondering whether your wifi device and router support these features the author of Visual Router provides a link to a list of known supported devices on his site (which I link to here). Here are more notes on this program:

  • Ease of use: as previously mentioned, I was able to get a wifi connection running almost instantly after install, and only had to set a password to do so.
  • Connection problems: if you are encountering problems check to see if you are connected to the internet using a wired internet connection and not wifi. Alternately, you might need to update the driver of your wifi device, or you device may not be compatible with the new Windows 7 features mentioned above. Check out the FAQ if you need to troubleshoot.
  • Encryption: WPA2 encryption by default.
  • Performance: was excellent; the wifi connection was fast and responsive; however, I do not know if the wifi connection is handicapped in any way compared to a “normal” wifi router for example. If you have some information and could shed light on this in the comments section Ii would be grateful.

The verdict: an excellent software that can be quite handy, and can get you up and running in two clicks. This program is still in beta, but works well; however it can at times be a little quirky when you attempt to shut it down.

Version Tested: 0.9.0.0 beta

Compatibility: requires Windows 7. Go to the program home page to download the latest version (approx 1000K).


 
 
 
Samer Kurdi

Samer Kurdi

Has been reviewing software since 2006 when he started Freewaregenius.com
Samer Kurdi

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We've just launched a new site design for Freewaregenius http://t.co/xaq1ZzmLlW -- tell us what you think - 37 days ago
August 27, 2010
Samer Kurdi
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  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/enzym Jimmy Gunawan

    Is there XP version of this similar program to share Wi-Fi?

  • Fenix

    I’ve actually done this with no extra software whatsoever. Still, it was a little tricky to figure out, so I guess this would be easier for most people.

  • jasray

    One, any advantage over Connectify?
    Two, if my laptop is connected directly via RJ45 to a wireless connection, can I still use Virtual Router.
    Motorola antenna picking up wireless which covers entire valley, computer can simply connect to the Motorola jack with an RJ45 cable–no real router like a Linksys, etc. Then it would work?

    Wondering–maybe trial and error.

  • PSK

    seems like connectify. any difference between the two?

  • Pingback: Creating virtual access points with Windows 7 « Mick's Mix

  • Pingback: Virtual Router: create a wi-fi hotspot using a wifi-enabled PC

  • Mihai

    @Fenix
    A small tutorial on this topic would’ve been usefull. These things always gave me the headaches.

  • Pingback: Criando um ponto de acesso wireless sem roteador

  • http://www.facebook.com/jonroch1986 Jon

    cooool !!!

  • Pingback: Comment créer son propre Hotspot gratuitement et rapidement ? | Log33kiel

  • MacinodaZm

    what about Linux any Tutorial to create the same ???

  • Anonymous

    Note that Virtual Router and any other programs like it (such as Connectify) won’t work with Windows 7 Starter. :-(
    http://virtualrouter.codeplex.com/documentation?version=11

  • wlan_expert

    Try http://wlancontroller.com to turn windows 7 into hotspot

  • connector

    Simpler method without using any buggy software!

    1) Open command prompt with Administrator privileges. (You can do it by going to start menu, right clicking on command prompt and selecting “Run as administrator”).

    2) Enter the following command:
    netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=Test key=password

    (This will create a wireless access-point with SSID of “Test”)

    3) Open the Networks and Sharing Center

    4) Select your mode of connecting to the internet (ethernet, wi-fi, cable etc.)

    5). Enable sharing and select special ‘hosted’ interface

    6) Start it:
    netsh wlan start hostednetwork

    Read more:
    http://www.techylabs.com/setting-up-a-virtual-router-in-windows-7.html

  • http://www.mhotspot.com krishna

    hey guys…..use “mhotspot”…no ned to install this software even….just download the software and run it….

    download link:

    http://www.mhotspot.com

  • youseph
  • santhosh

    hey friends… somehow it did not work for me .. i tried virtual wifi router .. its a free portable software , and light weight and very user friendly app .. check this
    http://www.virtualwifirouter.com

  • orange barrel

    Observed a site at “Microsoft Research” that seems (did not gleen all details) to have a virtual router for Xp. This is for the Jimmy Gunawan (1st post) that said he was looking for this. Hope this helps, and better late than never but not that much better than never! Thought I would pass on this knowledge while researching this topic. Also have Virtual Router and am getting “virtual router could not be started” message and I did not even do anything.

  • http://www.internetconnectionsharing.net Internet Connection Sharing

    Thanks For sharing shis information and sharing my internet connection, That’s Great :)

  • Purplar

    Hey,If you want to create a wifi hostpot on your laptop, go to Virtual Hostpot. if you want to save money, Virtual Hotspot will help you. It’s free, free and free again. It can help create wifi hotspot on your laptop (Windows Vista, 7, XP, 2008). Super easy to install and use. Only several clicks, you can turn your laptop with any system into a wifi hotspot. And then you can share the internet access point with your family and friends. Devices like iPone, iPod, NDS, Wii can connect to the free hostpot. Try http://www.virtualhotspot.net/

  • Billal

    Is there any way to share hotspot dsl connection, connected through Lan Rj45 to other family computers ( which are connected through another LAN card on the same system on which im using internet).. although their is restriction “1 connection for 1 system” by service provider. virtual wifi router working awesomely and shares internet connection but its just for wifi.. im looking for a type of virtual router for LAN, if possible for windows xp… or any other way to share internet.??? any suggestion.?

  • krishna

    If you want to share LAN connection use “mhotspot”

  • Eks

    Don’t bother to check out the mHotSpot mentioned above. It seems to be fake.

    I tried to download it from the link mentioned above.

    The download takes place from c/net (4.1 MB). After downloading, it asks you to INSTALL the software (the person who provided the link to this software said that no installation is required; obviously that is wrong information).

    When you click on “install”, a window pops up with the following message:

    To run this application, you must first install one of the following versions of the .NET Framework:
    v4.0.30319
    Contact your application publisher for information about obtaining the appropriate version of the .NET Framework.

    The message then disappears, along with the downloaded content.

    Also, c/net installs some TechTracker software in your computer.

    mHotSpot is just bullshit. Don’t bother.

  • http://myrouter.codeplex.com/ Osama Khodrog

    Hi Im Osama khodrog from Jordan im a MyRouter Owner please can you see my
    software and make a review it

    http://myrouter.codeplex.com/

  • http://myroutervwr.info/ ali

    Hi all,

    Im Ali your forget MyRouter http://myroutervwr.info/ it’s a nice application you can try it it’s a free product

  • http://myroutervwr.info/ Osama Khodrog

    Hello Im Osama khodrog from MyRouter Co. you can now use and download New Version from MyRouter

    http://myroutervwr.info/

    thank you very much

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