How to find out the name of a hidden Wi-Fi network. Wi-Fi router for dummies: purpose, operating principle, device connection
WI-FI at home has become an everyday thing for many, thanks to which you can access the Internet from any mobile device, watch videos or find the necessary information. Many smartphone owners ask the question of how to view the WI-FI password on Android. This can be done using standard phone functions or using specialized programs.
In what situations is it necessary to find out the password?
Let's say you or someone in your family bought a new phone or tablet. Naturally, there will be a need to connect the device to your home Wi-Fi. Thanks to automatic remembering, most users do not remember the password, since they do not need to enter it every time.
You also often have to give your Wi-Fi password to your friends. An excellent option if it is saved somewhere on your computer or on a separate piece of paper. If there is no backup, then users have the opportunity to find out the combination from WI-FI on Android.
We use standard gadget functions
The easiest way to find out the WI-FI password is to look at it in the properties of the access point on Android. As a rule, most smartphones allow you to view the current password in the wireless network settings. To do this you need to do the following:
After this, you can find out the desired combination, and then save it on your computer or write it down in a notepad. This method is not relevant for all devices.
We use a router
One of the methods for finding out the Wi-Fi password is to examine the router settings. This is where you can find the required combination. You can even get into the modem settings through your phone using a regular browser. To do this, follow the steps of the following instructions sequentially:
Here you can change the security level and the password itself. However, this method is relevant if you have not changed the input data for the router. Otherwise, you will not be able to get into the settings.
Using file managers
The Android system stores the names of networks, as well as passwords for them, in a special file, which can be opened and read if desired. However, for this you will need to obtain Root user rights, since otherwise you will not be able to see and enter the system folders. You must first install one of the file managers, for example, RootBrowser, as well as the RB Text Editor program. After this, the steps are quite simple:
You can perform similar actions using the popular ES Explorer application. To do this, you just need to go to the necessary directories and then view the file with passwords.
An equally convenient application is Wifi Password(ROOT), which can be downloaded from the official Google Play store. Its main advantage is that you do not need to search for directories and open files. The application will do all this on its own, displaying a list of networks and passwords for them in a convenient form. You only need to click the Show password button in the top right corner.
WI-FI Password (ROOT) also requires superuser rights.
Find out the password on Android using a computer
If the phone settings turned out to be useless in this matter, and you do not want to get root rights, you can use a special utility for a personal computer, WirelessKeyView. The program is distributed absolutely free of charge. There are versions for both Windows x86 and x64. The application is presented as a single executable file, so you don't have to install anything.
I will describe all the ways I know to turn on a Wi-Fi network on a laptop (after all, everything that can be turned off can be turned on?!) I will start with the simpler and more common methods, then I will move on to more complex methods that only a few will need.
So if you see on taskbar icon Wi-Fi is turned off (or you don’t see the icon at all), then this article is for you.
Turn on Wi-Fi using the slider/button on the laptop body.
On many laptop models, to turn on Wi-Fi, you need to use the slider or a separate button to turn on Wi-Fi. Often this switch is located on the front end of the laptop.
The switch looks different, but has one function - turning the wireless network on and off.
To turn on Wi-Fi, simply move the slider to the On position.
How to turn on Wi-Fi using a keyboard shortcut.
If your laptop does not have sliders or separate buttons for turning on Wi-Fi, take a closer look at the keyboard; on it you can find a Wi-Fi icon on one of the function keys (F1-F12).
It can be located on different buttons, it all depends on the manufacturer and model of the laptop.
In order to turn on Wi-Fi you need to press this key or use a keyboard shortcut
Let's look at the key combinations that are most often used in laptops from different manufacturers:
- Acer. Press the keys:
+ . - Asus. Combination
+ . - HP. Click here
+ . - Lenovo. Required buttons:
+ . - Samsung. Or
+ , or + . - Dell key combination
+ or +
How to enable Wi-Fi in Windows settings.
If the above procedures did not help and you are still wondering How to enable Wi-Fi on a laptop? You need to check whether the Wireless network connection is enabled in Windows settings. To do this, you need to go to the Network and Sharing Center. One way is to right-click on network icon in the lower right corner of the screen and select "Network and Sharing Center".
Another way to use hotkeys
It doesn’t matter which method you used, the result will be the same - the Network Connections window will appear on the monitor. Next, you need to find a wireless connection, right-click on it and select “Enable” (if the Enable option is not available, then the Wi-Fi network is enabled).
Enable Wi-Fi through Windows Device Manager.
If your Wi-Fi adapter is still not enabled, you need to check whether it is enabled in the task manager. To do this, click the Start button, right-click Computer, and select Manage. From the left menu, select Device Manager.
Or press the keyboard shortcut
If the adapter icon is marked with a down arrow, it means it is turned off; to turn it on, right-click on it and select “Enable”.
Update drivers for Wi-Fi.
Another reason for Wi-Fi not working may be an inappropriate driver or its absence. In order to install the required driver, go to the laptop manufacturer’s website, find your model (on some sites this will be difficult, you can write the laptop model in the comments, I will try to help you) and download the driver for the Wi-Fi network card for your operating system systems. After this, it will be enough to install the drivers; after rebooting the laptop, Wi-Fi should work.
No matter how you turned on the wireless network, you should eventually see a Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar. When you click on it, you will see the Wi-Fi networks available for connection.
Today, as we know, wireless networks (VLANs), or, as they are often called, private virtual networks VPN, have firmly established themselves in the computer world. And when using a network connection or accessing the Internet, they are given preference. But, unfortunately, not everyone knows how to turn on WiFi on a computer, much less make it the main access point.
Wireless network
Let's start with the fact that connecting to virtual networks involves two main methods: infrastructure and connecting in Ad-Hoc mode, which will be discussed later.
The first type of connection involves the use of standard network routers or ADSL modems, which distribute packets of IP addresses to several devices currently connected to the virtual network.
In the second case, only one main computer terminal is connected, which will subsequently act as a gateway. In other words, all other computers, laptops or mobile gadgets will connect to it. Let's consider the question of how to enable WiFi on a computer. There are several ways. Before you do this, you need to perform some preliminary steps, without which creating a connection will be impossible; it simply will not work even if some parameters are successfully configured.
Basic WiFi Components for PC
It goes without saying that you will need some components to establish a connection via the WiFi module. In principle, everything is simple. This is a computer with installed (we will consider all processes based on Windows OS), a router and a little patience.
Please note that if you need to make your computer a WiFi access point, you should use the built-in WiFi modem (some USB devices can also be used).
Ad-Hoc connection
This connection option was developed specifically for cases where all other devices need to be connected through one main computer terminal. The advantages of this connection are that there are no restrictions on how many client terminals will connect through the main gateway.
Conventional cheap routers and ADSL modems installed in apartments provide a standard connection for 4-6 devices. Naturally, you can also purchase multi-channel routers, but they will cost much more. It is much easier to use the built-in device on the main computer, which connects directly to (RJ-11 or RJ-45 connectors) and provides WiFi distribution for the PC.
Installing the Router Driver
First you need to install the device driver itself (provided that it is not already installed). To do this, as a rule, you use a standard driver disk supplied with purchase. The installation itself usually does not cause problems, but in some cases additional settings will be required.
After installing the driver, you need to look at the status of the device. To do this, you can use the standard “Device Manager” (the device itself should not be highlighted in yellow as problematic).
But that's not all. On some computer systems, modules that enable communication may be disabled by default. Here you will have to use the “Engage” command, after first going to the network adapter, called up by right-clicking.
Basic router settings
Now you need to configure the adapter (router) itself. This is done in any Internet browser by entering the line 192.168.1.1 in the address field (for some non-standard models 192.168.0.1). After authorization via login and password (they are indicated on the label of the device itself), you need to check the “Enable AP” option, assign the SSID network name and select the data encryption method (usually WPA).
After this procedure, in the “Wireless Networks” menu in the “Control Panel”, you need to uncheck the “Use to configure a wireless network” line, and then configure additional settings.
For example, for D-Link devices you will need the D-Link AirPlus G+ Wireless Adapter Utility. In the parameters you will need to enter the same SSID value, then in the Wireless Mode section set the value to Infrastructure and save the changes.
How to distribute WiFi from a computer
Let's look at the basic methodology. When solving a problem, you can do things differently. For this option, in managing wireless connections, you need to select “Change network preference order” and add a new connection. Next, you need to enter the SSID connection name (arbitrary), select “Open” authentication and WEP encryption method. Don't forget to use the network access key (WiFi password on your computer) followed by confirmation.
At the bottom there is a line “This is a direct computer-to-computer connection; access points are not used." You need to check the box next to it. On the “Connection” tab, the “Connect if a network is within range” option must be enabled.
Next, you need to go to the “Network Setup Wizard” and after detecting new equipment, check the “Ignore disabled equipment” option. In the next window, select the connection method in the line “This computer has a direct connection to the Internet. Other computers on the network connect to the Internet through this computer,” after which in the new window you need to check the “Wireless network connection” line. Next comes the standard setting of the computer name, workgroup and sharing. Once setup is complete, you will need to reboot the system.
Alternative method
To answer the question of how to turn on WiFi on a computer, you can use an equally effective method, which, however, is suitable for experienced users. An ordinary user is unlikely to use this method, however, we will consider it.
How to set up WiFi on a computer in this case? First, you need to make sure that the WLAN AutoConfig Service, Internet Connection Sharing, and Routing and Remote Access components are set to Automatic and enabled. Now you need to launch the console with administrator rights, and then enter the line netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid="XXXX" key="YYYYYYYY" keyusage=persistent, (where XXXX is the computer name and YYYYYYYY is the minimum 8-digit password). It is better not to use Cyrillic when entering.
Now run ncpa.cpl, Microsoft Virtual Miniport Adapter should be specified in the properties on the “Network” tab. Here you can remove unnecessary protocols and rename the connection. In the “Access” tab, you can set permission to use the connection by other users and select your own connection. Now go to the console again and enable the connection using the line . This is the activation of the connection.
The connection status is checked using the line netsh wlan show hostednetwork, service stop - netsh wlan stop hostednetwork, complete disabling and deleting - netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=disallow. To automatically start when the system starts, command line netsh wlan start hostednetwork you need to add (register) to the startup menu.
Conclusion
It is probably already clear that the question of how to enable WiFi on a computer has several basic solutions. Which one to use is up to everyone to decide for themselves. Actually, the question comes down, as is already clear, to installing drivers, configuring network adapters and making basic settings for the router and network connections in the system.
As already mentioned, the first method should not cause any particular difficulties for anyone. An alternative method of creating a distribution and, as they say, “sharing” it is unlikely to suit an ordinary user, although it is simpler, since there is no need to delve into the system. Here, as they say, everything is at hand, although preliminary settings still need to be made. On the other hand, all methods are effective, and what to choose depends only on the preferences of the user or
As soon as the computer connects to the Wi-Fi network, it will no longer ask for its password. And most users easily forget this password, especially if it was written down on some piece of paper. This is not a problem until you need to connect another device to the same Wi-Fi - for example, a phone or tablet.
I will show you several proven ways to view your password, which are suitable for any popular operating system (Windows 7, 8, 10).
The easiest way to find out the Wi-Fi password
1 . Left-click on this icon in the tray.
It is located in the lower right corner of the screen, between the alphabet and the clock. Sometimes this icon is hidden under a small arrow.
2. In the window that appears, right-click on the network for which you need to find out the password and select “Properties.”
3. We check the box “Display entered characters” and the computer shows the wifi password in the “Network security key” field.
Another easy way
This option is a little more complicated, but it shows all wireless networks to which the computer has connected, and not just active ones.
1 . Right-click on the tray icon and select “Network and Sharing Center.”
2. A window will open, on the left side of which select “Wireless Network Management”.
3. Right-click on the desired network and select “Properties”.
4 . Go to the “Security” tab and check the box next to “Display entered characters”.
If there is no “Manage wireless networks” item, then click on “Change adapter settings”, right-click on the desired connection and select “Status”. In the window, click on the “Wireless Network Properties” button, go to the “Security” tab and check the box next to “Display entered characters”.
Retrieving the password through the program
There is such a wonderful free program WirelessKeyView. Thanks to it, you can view passwords from all points to which the computer was connected. There is no need to install it: just download from the official website, unpack and run the program file. If wifi points do not appear immediately, click on the icon
That's all :)
Of the minuses, it should be noted that some antiviruses swear at it, since the program interferes with the settings (my Kaspersky, for example, caused a panic). If this does not bother you, use it to your health.
We look at the password for our Wi-Fi in the router settings
This method is good because only thanks to it you can find out a password that the computer does not know at all. For example, Windows was reinstalled, but you don’t remember the password for your Wi-Fi and now you can’t connect. So in this case, a router will help.
A router is the thing that “distributes” the Internet. It looks something like this:
Among other things, its settings store a password. To find it, you need to connect the router to the computer via a power cord (usually included).
If the computer remembers the password and connects to the network, then you don’t have to do this.
1 . Open the browser (Internet program), type 192.168.1.1 in the address bar and press the Enter button on the keyboard.
Most often, after this, a login/password request appears. If this does not happen, try other addresses: 192.168.0.0, 192.168.0.1, or 192.168.1.0. But if they don’t fit either, then take the router, turn it over and find its IP address on the sticker.
For example, I didn’t even have an address on the sticker. Then I copied the router model from it (in my case Huawei HG8245A) and entered the request “huawei hg8245a ip address” into the search engine. It turned out that the default address is different, as is the login and password.
2. In the window that appears, enter the login admin and password admin.
Usually this data is suitable (if no one specifically changed it). But there may be other options, for example, root or user. They are usually written on the router itself - on a sticker on the other side.
3. Open the Wireless or WLAN tab and look for the password there. Often it is located in the Wireless Security item (Security Settings or Wireless Protection).
As a rule, the password is written in a column where there is the word Key, Password or Password. Often, to see it, you need to uncheck it.
By the way, it happens that it is written immediately when you open the router settings.
If it doesn't help
Then you can reset all the router settings to factory settings. But in this case, you will have to configure it yourself: specify the Internet connection parameters, network name and password.
To reset the settings on the router there is a small, deeply hidden Reset button (usually it is located on the back).
We clamp it with some sharp object for ten seconds. After this, all settings will be reset, and the router will be as good as new - all that remains is to configure it.
