Mobile hotspots are becoming more and more popular, with being able to share Internet access with a few devices. But did you know you can use your Windows 11 computer as a mobile hotspot? Here is how to set up a mobile hotspot in Windows 11.

The rise in the popularity of wifi hotspots is due to mobile devices and is usually associated with them. So most people are surprised that they learn they can create one inside of Windows 11. But how could you use it?

I like to set up a wifi hotspot on my laptop when I go on vacation. Hotels will usually have an ethernet port in the room, so I connect my laptop to it and share the Internet connection with up to eight (8) devices through the wireless network adapter in my laptop.

The only hardware requirement is your computer has to have two (2) network adapters, and at least one (1)of them needs to be a wireless network or Bluetooth adapter. And if your computer has only one network adapter, you can use USB wired and wireless adapters too.

Now the mobile hotspot does have a couple of drawbacks. You can only have eight (8) devices connected at a time, and you cannot share files or printers; the only thing you can share is your Internet connection.

How to set up a mobile hotspot in Windows 11

1. Bring up the Settings app by:
• Left-clicking on the Start button to bring up the Start menu.
• In the list of pinned apps on the Start menu, left-click on Settings.
or
• Right-click on the Start button to bring up the Power User menu.
• In the list of programs that appear, left-click on Settings.
or
• Press the Windows logo key + I
2. Scroll down the left-hand column and left-click on Network & internet.
   
3. In the right-hand column, left-click on Mobile hotspot.
4. First, select the connection you want to share from the Share my internet connection from the pull-down menu.
   
5. Second, check the Network properties to see if they are acceptable. If you want to change the hotspot's name or password, left-click on the Edit button.
6. Third, click the Mobile hotspot Off/On switch to turn it on. When you enable the hotspot, you may get an additional switch for Power saving.

Wi-Fi hotspots have become quite familiar with smartphone users. Having the ability to share your Internet connection can be a lifesaver at times. But did you know that you can do the same thing with a Windows 10 computer? Here's how to create a mobile hotspot in Windows 10.

It used to be that if you wanted to share your Internet connection on your laptop or desktop computer, you had to use third-party software like Virtual Hotspot. The cool thing is Microsoft has built that feature right into Windows 10.

I know what you're thinking; "When would I ever use a Wi-Fi hotspot?". Using the Windows 10 mobile hotspot can be extremely helpful if you have to pay for Internet access, like at a hotel or airport.

For example, when I travel, I like to set up my laptop to use a wired (Ethernet) Internet connection, because they usually are faster than wireless. Once I've established a wired connection to the Internet, then I share that connection with all of my wireless devices (smartphone, tablet, etc.).

Now there are a couple of requirements that your system has to have before the mobile hotspot feature becomes available. You have to have at least two (2) network adapters, and one of them has to be a wireless adapter. The connection to the Internet can be either wired, wireless, or cellular.

The mobile hotspot uses WPA2-PSK security, and only 8 (eight) devices can connect to it at one time. And the only thing you can share is your Internet connection. Devices connected to the mobile hotspot cannot access folders, files, or printers on the host computer.

How to set up a mobile hotspot in Windows 10

1. Left-click on the Start button (Windows logo) to bring up the Start menu.
   
2. Left-click on Settings (gear icon).
   
3. Left-click on Network & Internet.
   
4. In the left-hand column, look for the Mobile hotspot tab. You don't see it; your computer doesn't meet the requirements.
   
5. Under Network status in the right-hand column, make a note of which type of connection you are using.
6. In the left-hand column, left-click on Mobile hotspot.
   
7. In the right-hand column under Mobile hotspot, make sure the connection shown under Share my Internet connection from is the same connection from Step 5. If not, use the pull-down menu to change it.
8. Directly below the Share my Internet connection from pull-down menu is the Network name and Network password. If you want to change either of these, left-click on the Edit button below them.
   
9. Now go back to the top of the right-hand column and left-click on the Share my Internet connection with other devices slider switch to turn on your mobile hotspot.