Connecting Without a Network

How do you network when you don't have a network? You can do it using two or more computers that have wireless adapters and are within range of each other. You connect them using an ad hoc network. This temporary network can work just like any wireless network and, provided you use proper security procedures, is as secure as a standard wireless connection. Once it's established, you can access files, play shared games, and do whatever you normally do over any network.

Create a Network

Click the Start button, and choose Connect To from the menu. In the Connect To A Network dialog box, examine the existing networks.

Click Set Up A Connection Or Network to start the Connect To A Network Wizard.

Click to setup a wireless ad hoc network.

Click Next, and step through the wizard to name the network and set up the security.

Provide others with the name of the network and the security key or passphrase you used.

Caution

Always use some level of security encryption; otherwise, anyone within 30 feet (and probably more) of any computer on your ad hoc network can access your computer.

Connect to the Network

With the computers you want to connect situated closely enough to receive each other's signals, choose Connect To from the Start menu to display the Connect To A Network dialog box.

Click the network name that you were assigned.

Click Connect.

Type the security key or passphrase that you were assigned, click Connect, and complete the wizard.

Choose Network from the Start menu, and connect to the other computer or computers. If you don't see other computers or are unable to connect, click Open Network And Sharing Center, and change your sharing options.

Tip

Shared media libraries are disabled if you configure the ad hoc network as a public network. To share music libraries, you must change the network type to a private network.

See Also

"Sharing Your Files over the Network" on page 219 for information about changing your network-sharing settings.

Tip

You can connect to only one network at a time unless you have multiple network adapters.