How to Create an Ad Hoc Network

Internet & Network

Updated November 30, 2018

Ad hoc wireless networks, or computer-to-computer wireless networks, are useful for Internet Connection Sharing and other direct wireless networking without needing a router. You can set up your own Wi-Fi network to connect two or more computers pretty simply using the steps below.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 20 minutes

Here's How:

Go to Start > then right-click on Network and select Properties (on Windows Vista/7, go to your Network and Sharing Center under Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet).
Click on the "Set up a connection or network" option.
Select "Set up a wireless ad-hoc network" (Vista/7 have this as "Set up a new network"). Click Next.
Choose a name for your ad hoc network, enable encryption, and check the box to save the network. Your wireless network will then be created and your wireless adapter will start broadcasting.
On the client computers, you should be able to locate the new network and connect to it.

Tips:

Note the limitations of ad hoc wireless networking, including WEP-only security, the computers needing to be within 100 meters, etc.
If the host computer disconnects from the network, all other users will be disconnected and the ad hoc network deleted.
Learn how to share a single Internet connection on the ad hoc network.