How to Create a WiFi Hotspot Using the Command Prompt

A simple guide to using Command Prompt to create a Wi-Fi hotspot

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: August 11, 2022 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to broadcast your Windows computer's Internet as a wireless hotspot using the Command Prompt application. To do this, you must be using an administrator account on your computer.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Creating the Hotspot

1
Open Start
. It's in the bottom-left corner of the screen. You can also press the ⊞ Win key to open Start.
- On Windows 8, place your mouse in the upper-right corner of the screen, then click the magnifying glass icon.
2
Type command prompt into Start. Doing so will bring up the Command Prompt icon.

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3
Right-click
Command Prompt. It's at the top of the page.
- If you're using a laptop with a trackpad and no mouse buttons, tap the trackpad with two fingers instead of right-clicking.
4
Click Run as administrator. This option is in the right-click drop-down menu.
- If you don't have the Run as administrator option, you can't create a Wi-Fi hotspot.
5
Click Yes when prompted. Doing so will open Command Prompt.
6
Type NETSH WLAN show drivers and press ↵ Enter. This command will display information to help you confirm that your computer can create a hotspot with Command Prompt.
7
Look for "Yes" next to "Hosted network supported". If you see "Yes" here, your computer supports the Hosted Network feature, which is what allows you to create a Wi-Fi hotspot.
- If you don't see "Yes" here, your computer can't create a wireless hotspot through Command Prompt.
8
Type the following code into Command Prompt:
- Then press ↵ Enter. Make sure you replace the "NETWORKNAME" and "PASSWORD" text with what you want your hotspot's name and password to be.
9
Type NETSH WLAN start hostednetwork and press ↵ Enter. This will turn on your Wi-Fi hotspot.
10
Exit Command Prompt. Now that your hotspot is live, you'll need to share its availability in order to connect to it.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Sharing the Network

1
Open Start
and type in control panel. Doing so will search your computer for the Control Panel app.
2
Click Control Panel. It will appear at the top of the Start window.
3
Click Network and Internet. It's in the middle of the page.
4
Click Network & Sharing Center. You'll find this option near the top of the page.
5
Click Change adapter settings. It's a link in the upper-left side of the window.
6
Right-click your current connection's name. You'll find it near the top of the "Change adapter settings" window.
7
Click Properties. It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
8
Click the Sharing tab. This option is at the top of the window.
9
Check the "Allow other network users to connect..." box. It's at the top of the window.
10
Click the box below the "Home networking connection" heading. This option is in the middle of the page.
11
Click your hotspot's name. It will be something like "Local Area Connection * #".
12
Click OK. Your wireless hotspot should now be accessible by any nearby devices.

Community Q&A

Question

Where is the password for the set hotspot network?

Community Answer

It's at key=YourPasswordHere. Of course, you should replace YourPasswordHere with your own password.
Question

How do I join the network from another computer?

Community Answer

Turn on the WiFi on the computer you wish to add and find the hotspot, which would be under the name you typed after SSID= , then click on it and it will ask you for the password. The password is what you typed after KEY=.
Question

How do I find the password to join the hotspot I've created?

Community Answer

Run the command prompt as the administrator and type ' netsh wlan show hostednetwork security' and then press enter key. You will get your saved password.

Warnings

Creating a hotspot opens your connection up to the public. Be careful about doing this in densely populated areas like airports or coffee shops.

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