handson How To Turn Your Laptop Into A Wi-Fi There are ways to create an ad-hoc network from your laptop when connected to the internet, but they usually involve multiple steps. We present a one-click solution to convert your laptop into a WiFi hotspot and bring data connectivity to all your devices!

— Srinivasan Viswanathan

hile most smartphones nowadays offer the capability to tether their data connection to other devices, laptops need extensive Wsetup through the Windows control panel to share their data connection. But fret not! Connectify Hotspot is here to save the day. Connectify is a free software that runs in the taskbar, and can be set up in just a few minutes, and can configure and launch a Wi-Fi hotspot really fast! Here is a short tutorial on how to set it up:

1) Download Connectify Lite Version Download the free version of Connectify for initial setup from http://bit.ly/YVoFIn. There is a pro version as well, which starts from a 1-year subscription at Rs 1,717. The pro version has some useful features, such as the sharing of 3G/ from a mobile broadband card, and wirelessly “flinging” files from one system to another.

2) Install Connectify Lite Version You can install the software within a couple of seconds with the typical “next-next-next” setup process.

3) Set Up Connectify Connectify will run in the Windows toolbar once it is running. There are some ads at the bottom, but we did can manage and view devices that are connected to your not find them intrusive as such. You will be able to change Wi-Fi hotspot. the hotspot name partially, but the name will always have to retain “connectify” as a prefix, unless you upgrade to Conclusion the pro version. Then, you will have to pick what kind of Even without the pro version, Connectify is more than connection to share, which depends on whether your enough to provide capability to share your data connection laptop is connected through an Ethernet cable or a Wi- easily. This solution is perfect for the travelling professional, Fi network.Using the option of sharing mode, you can who needs a constant network connection. Usually, hotels configure what type of encryption you would like applied charge for a Wi-Fi connection and this is restricted to just on the hotspot. After that, simply click “Start Hotspot” a single device. With Connectify, you can purchase a single to turn your laptop/notebook into a personal router. You connection for your laptop and share this connection with should be able to detect the wireless network you started your smartphone and tablet, without having to shell out on any other device with Wi-Fi access. The taskbar app ridiculous amounts for multiple connections. Connectify should then switch over to the “Clients” view, where you supports Windows XP,Vista, 7 and 8 versions. pcquest.com twitter.com/pcquest facebook.com/pcquest linkd.in/pcquest [email protected] J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3 PCQuest 67