Create a wireless connection Windows 7. How to set up WIFI on a laptop? Correct Method

Hello everyone! Today I will tell you how to set up wifi on a laptop. Setting up Wi-Fi on a laptop is not a difficult task. The first thing you need to find out is whether the device supports this function. Modern laptops are already equipped with a wi-fi module, but some manufacturers still produce devices without wi-fi support, but these are mostly cheap models.

If your laptop is not equipped with a wi-fi module, you need to get a special adapter. To understand whether a laptop has wi-fi, just carefully inspect the device’s case. Typically, manufacturers put a sticker under the keyboard or at the bottom of the case, which indicates the presence of wi-fi.

In addition, the wi-fi symbol is also located on the function button of the keyboard, which is responsible for turning on the module. The button should be used together with the Fn key.

Turning on Wi-Fi on a laptop

If it's Acer brand, then the keys will be Fn and F3. You will see the connection manager appear, where you will need to enable wi-fi or Bluetooth.

On Asus devices The buttons will be Fn and F2. A connections icon will appear, where you need to select wi-fi or Bluetooth.

Laptops with Toshiba brand require pressing the Fn and F8 keys. Further actions are similar.

For Samsung The key combination will be: Fn and F12.

To identify the key to turn on wi-fi, the antenna-shaped icon will help you. If pressing the buttons does not turn on wi-fi, there may be several reasons for this:

incorrect operation of the operating system;
driver problem or conflicts;
viruses, about that.

The problem is usually solved by reinstalling the drivers or .

What if the laptop does not have a wi-fi module?

Connecting to a wi-fi access point is possible using a special adapter; its cost varies from 15 to 30 dollars. You can easily find such an adapter in any computer store. In terms of external dimensions, the device can be compared to a flash drive. The use of the device is similar; you just need to plug it into a USB port.

Lack of external adapter- high probability of breakage due to careless handling. This also happens because the part protruding from the laptop remains unprotected. Therefore, the built-in wi-fi module installed in the service center will not cause problems. Although this solution will be more expensive, you will feel the comfort of work.

In order to turn on the external wi-fi adapter, you need to press a special button located on the case.

Checking that the drivers are installed correctly

If your drivers are installed incorrectly, then even when the indicator is lit, the access point may not respond and wi-fi will not work. First of all, in this case, you need to check the functionality of the network card. Right-click on My Computer and go to Properties.

Next go to “Equipment” -> “ device Manager". You will notice the entire list of devices that are installed on the laptop. We need to find the section " Network adapters“, and there we look for “Wireless”, wi-fi or Wireless. If you see a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark next to the module, then be prepared for what will be needed.

Download drivers from the Internet or use the disk that comes with the laptop. Installing drivers is standard and is not much different from installing any program. It is possible that wi-fi will not work immediately, but only after several installations. For the adapter to work well and easily detect wireless networks, you need to set it to automatically obtain an IP address.

How to set up WIFI on a laptop and how to enable automatic acquisition of an IP address in Windows Xp.

Now we’ve almost figured out the question of how to set up wifi on a laptop. But now we need to enable automatic acquisition of an IP address. For this:

Open " Control Panel“, we set the view to classic.

We move to " Network connections“, right-click on the required connection, select “Properties”. The components will open there, we are interested in the TCP/IP protocol, click on Properties again.

In the window that opens, select automatic receipt of an IP address, as well as automatic receipt of DNS, click OK.

Configuring automatic acquisition of an IP address for Windows7

We need to open the control panel, go to " Network and Sharing Center«.

In the column on the left we select “ Change adapter settings«.

A window will open, where you need to select the required network and right-click on it, select “Properties”. There we select to automatically obtain an IP address and DNS. Click OK. For Windows 8, similar actions are performed.

Connect to an access point.

You will notice a list of available networks. If you have your own access point, then the adapter will certainly find it. The adapter is also able to find nearby networks that may belong to your neighbors. You can select any network that does not have a lock icon. This means that the owner of the network does not mind someone using his access point. If you have your own network, then click on it, in the window that appears, enter your login and .

In addition, there is another option for connecting to the Internet. If any establishment nearby has wi-fi, then perhaps the owner will provide you with a password and you will be able to connect to the network if your adapter can reach this distance.

After the network is selected, you must click “Connect”. After that, enter the password twice and see the signal and connection speed.

After the Wi-Fi connection is completed, we will see the corresponding icon in the tray.

We open the browser and the service provider’s page appears in front of us. Click on the “Login” button and get to the page specified as home in the browser properties. If the connection frequently drops, then the laptop may be placed in a place where the signal from the wireless network is weak. In this case, you can drag the laptop closer to the access point.

Just a note! I recently wrote a lot of useful articles and I want you to read them too, namely what it is. But for gamers I wrote in games or .

With UV. Evgeny Kryzhanovsky

It is more convenient to use the Internet on a laptop through a wireless access point. Before connecting, you need to learn how to set up a Wi-Fi adapter on your laptop. We will talk about methods for turning on and configuring the device in the most popular versions of Windows. Methods for updating drivers will be discussed.

How to find out if a Wi-Fi module is installed on a laptop

Almost every mobile gadget is equipped with a Wi-Fi module, but you should definitely check its availability. Be sure to check your laptop's technical manual first. In the specifications opposite the “Wireless Communications” column there should be Wi-Fi or IEEE 802.11 lines. Their presence indicates that the necessary component is installed in the laptop.

An alternative option is to look for the presence of the component in the list of devices. To do this, go to computer properties and click the “Task Manager” link. In the window that opens, among all the hardware, open the “Network adapters” tab, and then find the line with the previously described words or the words Wireless (Wi-Fi).

If it's not there

The best option is to upgrade your laptop. Most likely, you have a very “old” model with low performance and a missing wireless module. When funds do not allow you to buy new equipment, order a USB module. It looks like a flash drive and serves as an external Wi-Fi module. There are hundreds of models on the market with different characteristics. Driver installation is required for operation.

How to turn on the Wi-Fi adapter

To use wireless Internet on laptops and individual computers , You should activate the Wi-Fi module and then connect to the required network. There are several hardware and software methods for enabling Wi-Fi, which will be discussed in detail below.

Switch on the body

For the convenience of users, many manufacturers have made the switch a separate button on the body of the gadget. It can be located on the front panel (on the Esc side or near the Num keys).

We also recommend inspecting the side panels on both sides for the presence of a switch. It has an antenna icon with diverging waves. Often there are light indicators on the case that inform you about the performance of specific components.

If there is such a switch and the component itself is working correctly, of course, all activation comes down to one simple action.

Keyboard shortcuts

Another way is to activate the module with a keyboard shortcut. On laptops, additional settings are located on the function buttons F1-F12. Also on the keyboard you can find a key with the letters Fn. With its help, additional functions are enabled (including Wi-Fi). You need to hold Fn and click the button with the image of the company icon (on different models they will be F2, F3 or F12). The action will activate the indicator (if any) and the connection icon will appear in the Start panel on the right side.

Alternative options

If the previous manipulations do not produce results, the problem is in the drivers or operating system settings. A rare exception is marriage. As a last resort, after all resuscitation attempts, contact a service center, especially if the laptop is under warranty. Also make sure your Wi-Fi hotspot is ok. The problem may lie in the incorrect operation of the Wi-Fi router (re-configuration or firmware update is required). Try connecting your mobile phone or tablet to it to check.

Installing or updating drivers

WiFi inoperability is often related to the driver. The latter is specialized software that ensures the correct operation of the physical device in the operating system shell. There are three main ways to install a new driver:

independently through the downloaded installer;
through standard Windows functions;
through specialized software.

The first method is the most reliable option, as it eliminates outside interference. The laptop owner should go to the manufacturer’s website, and then find the software downloads category. Next, in the search, write the full name of your model and OS version. Be sure to find out the bit size (32 or 64 bits). A list of all drivers will be published based on your request. Download the file for the Wireless network adapter.

The second method involves downloading the required driver through the Microsoft database. In Device Manager, right-click on the Wi-Fi adapter and select “Update drivers.” Please note that the updater may not always find the latest version.

The latter method is extremely convenient, since the program takes care of all the “dirty work” of searching and installing. An effective tool is Driver Genius. To update the driver, follow these steps:

“Driver Jenius” has a huge database, and regularly updates it, so the software can be used to update the software of any laptop hardware.

Necessary actions and settings in the operating system

The wireless adapter can be activated using OS tools. The user should enable it separately in the network settings. Next, we will tell you how to set up Wi-Fi on a laptop for the most common Windows systems.

Windows XP

Complete setup on Windows XP consists of the following steps:

Setting up Wi-Fi within Windows XP will be completed after completing the described steps.

Windows 7

The user should make similar settings in the “seven”. The difference from the previously given instructions is minimal:

Often the provider issues a static IP. In such situations, you need to set the parameters according to the service provider's requirements. In other cases, automatic receipt of parameters allows you to use Wi-Fi without problems.

Windows 8/10

These OS versions have similar interfaces, so the procedure for them will be almost identical. You need to follow steps similar to those given earlier for other Windows systems:

Additionally, if you have problems with access, run the diagnostic center. The system may identify errors due to which you cannot connect to a Wi-Fi point.

A wireless or WiFi network, in addition to all the features of a typical wired network, allows the user to move freely within the range of a radio signal. The user can stay connected to the printer, access the Internet, share network resources with other computers, and work with the laptop as a mobile device.

This document assumes that the user has already created a wireless home network, as discussed in Creating a Wireless Home Network (Windows Vista), or is attempting to connect to a known working wireless network at a WIFI service point.

Before use

Before connecting to a wireless network for the first time, make sure you have the following:

Initial setup of a wireless WiFi network

The first time you connect to the selected WiFi network, you must enter all the information to set up the connection. You can set your computer to automatically connect when it is within range of a network. Follow the instructions below to set up your WiFi connection.

Note.
The original factory image of your HP computer contains all the necessary drivers for the built-in wireless device and the HP Wireless Assistant software. If you upgraded your operating system, you must download and install the latest wireless device driver and HP Wireless Assistant for your computer model and operating system. Not all computers have built-in wireless capabilities.

If your computer does not have a factory-installed HP system image, search www.google.com or www.youtube.com for information on setting up a wireless network.

Start your computer and turn on your wireless device.

To turn on your wireless device, slide its switch to the On position. The power switch for the wireless LAN device, as well as the Bluetooth device (if installed), is located on the side of the case or above the keyboard, depending on the model. On some computers, the switch is a button on the panel above the keyboard or one of the function keys on the keyboard.

The active state of a wireless device on most computer models is indicated by a lit blue light indicator. This indicator is orange to indicate that the device is inactive or disabled. Some newer models use a different color scheme and have an indicator light built into the corresponding function key.

In the notification area of the toolbar, find the HP Wireless Assistant icon.

Once your wireless device is turned on and active, look for the Search for Available Wireless Networks icon in the notification area of your toolbar. If there is no wireless device icon even though the network cable is connected, unplug the network cable. The wireless network icon should appear.

Right-click on the wireless network icon, click Network and Sharing Center, Setting up a new connection or network, then select Connecting to a wireless network manually.

Rice. : Setting up a new connection or network

Enter the required network security information. This information was used when setting up your home network.

Rice. : Connect to a wireless network manually
- Network name (SSID)
  
  Security type(usually WEP and WPA)
  
  Encryption type (Optional for some security types)
  
  Security key or passphrase
  
  Start this connection automatically Select this option if you want to automatically sign in to the network when your computer is within range of a wireless network.

To check if you are connected to a wireless network, click the search available networks icon to display a list of available wireless networks.

Think it's so easy to set up a local Wi-fi network in Windows 7? Of course it’s easy if you take our guide as a basis!

To ensure data transmission, computers and digital devices are connected in networks. The simplest of them are home local and wireless networks, which allow you to exchange information between computers, phones, etc. Today we will figure out how to create a local network in the Windows 7 operating system. Let's see what configuration features a local and wi-fi network has, and use an example to carry out all the necessary operations.

Local and Wi-fi networks

To begin with, we must understand the features of each of the types of networks used. And since today we will talk about the local network in Windows 7, and the Wi-Fi wireless network, that’s what we should talk about.

Local networks (LAN). This type of network has been the most common in recent decades. Among the advantages, the following aspects can be noted: - Inexpensive materials for creating a network. The UTP (twisted pair) cable used in most cases is very cheap. But if you want to lay optical fiber, be prepared to spend money. But even in this case, the final cost of the network will be within reason. - Cable networks provide the highest speed - tens of Gbit/sec. - Security. Data transmitted over a cable network is quite difficult to intercept. The disadvantages are the lack of mobility and the inability to lay cables in hard-to-reach places.
Wireless Wi-Fi networks. Data transmission based on radio signals has evolved into the advent of mobile networks and wireless networks. They are gradually capturing the market - because they are very convenient to use. - Advantages. Mobility - you can access the network in any place that falls within the range of a Wi-Fi access point. In large cities, wireless Wi-Fi networks are available in almost every crowded place (hospitals, shopping centers, train stations, etc.) - Disadvantages. Lower data transfer speeds compared to cable networks. Although in our time, this technology has already developed so much that the offered speeds are more than enough to provide the entire range of tasks. Creating a wireless network will require a little more financial support - you need to purchase the appropriate equipment and adapters for devices.

Now that we understand the difference between these two network options, let's try to implement each of them, using the Windows 7 operating system as an example

Computer-to-computer cable network on Windows 7

As an example of a cable network, let's connect two desktop PCs into a network like " computer-computer". This is the most basic option that does not require additional equipment.

We will need two computers with network adapters and a crossover cable. Please note that when connecting two computers, you must use this type of cable. If you connect them with a standard network cable, the network will not work.

So, connect the cable to both network cards and start the computers.

We need to place each of them in the same working group.

Creating a working group

Find the “My Computer” icon on the desktop, right-click on it, and then click “Properties”. Here we scroll to the bottom of the page, to the area " Computer name, domain, workgroup", and click change parameters:

Here we click the "Change" button and enter the name of the computer and workgroup.

After that, save the settings and restart the computer.

This procedure must be carried out on both PCs. In this case, the workgroup name must match.

Network settings

Now we need both computers to be in the same address space. This is necessary to ensure data transfer between them.

Go to " Control Panel", then to " Network Sharing Center". Further " Change adapter settings". Find the network card in the list and open its properties. Click " Internet Protocol Version 4":

For example, let's take the most used address range, which is most often used in local networks.

So here is the list of parameters:

:
computer 1 - 192.168.1.1
computer 2 - 192.168.1.2
- 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
- 192.168.1.1 (or leave empty)

We enter these parameters in the appropriate areas. After that, save the settings and reboot the computers.

The computer-to-computer network is ready, you can check its functionality. To do this, you can go to " My Computer" - both computers should be displayed in the network environment.

Or use the ping command. On the first computer, “Start”, “Run”, type CMD, and write the command ping 192.168.1.2 - if data is transmitted, the network is functioning.

Wireless network on Windows 7 with Internet access

We make the parameters for the network card in the same way as the previous point. Only now we use wireless adapters.

Computers must also be in the same workgroup.

When the network adapters are enabled and configured accordingly, do the following.

Go to " Network Sharing Center", then " Wireless Network Management".

Here we click the "Add" button and select " Create a computer-to-computer network":

Read the description of this type of network and click "Next".

The next step is to configure the parameters of the future network:

Enter the following parameters:

Network name - used to identify it (in Latin letters)
Security type - leave "WPA-2 Personal"
Security key - set a password to connect to our network
Check the box "Save this network settings"

When all the parameters are specified, click "Next", wait for the process to complete, and we receive a message that ours has been created:

Opening Internet access

As an example, we will assume that on the first computer we have a cable connection to the Internet. And we want to make it accessible to the rest of the computer on our network. To do this, go again to the list of network adapters, find the Internet connection there, and open the properties for it:

Go to the "Access" tab and check all the boxes in the " Shared Internet connection":

Save the settings.

Connecting a second computer to a wireless network

We remember that our second computer must be in the same workgroup, and have IP address settings in the same address space as the first computer.

Now to connect it to a computer-to-computer wireless network, you need to do the following.

Find the wireless networks icon in the task tray and click on it. Find the network we created in the list and click the "Connect" button:

You will be asked to enter a password - we assigned it when creating the network. Enter it and connect.

Now you can check the functionality of the wireless LAN type " Computer-Computer"set up and ready to go.

Video for the article:

Conclusion

The local network options we reviewed are very easy to install and create, and are well suited for home use. A computer-to-computer wireless network can be used to connect portable mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablet computers, to the Internet.

If your computer stops starting normally, this will help you

When setting up a network, you need to know the network card.

Correct security settings will help you avoid .

WiFi is a modern wireless communication technology that allows you to create private networks by combining computers, smartphones, tablets and other devices into groups. This, in turn, allows you to exchange files and data between group members without a wired connection, using radio waves. Today, this technology has become firmly entrenched in people’s lives, and everyone knows what it is. However, not everyone knows how to set up Wi-Fi on a Windows 7 laptop.

How WiFi works

Before moving on to the wireless network settings, you should understand how the technology works. It's simple. A laptop or other mobile device has a built-in WiFi module. This is an ordinary radio receiver that works to receive and transmit information. Data transmission occurs on a broadband radio frequency, resulting in high transmission speeds.

As you may have guessed, to connect to a wireless network, you need an access point, the functions of which are performed by a Wi-Fi router. We'll move on to network settings a little lower. A router (the so-called router) allows you to collect all computers, laptops, and devices with a WiFi adapter into one group for information exchange and remote control.

It is worth noting that for the module to function correctly, drivers must be installed on the computer or laptop. This is special software that controls the operation of the adapter. Without such software, it is impossible to set up Wi-Fi on a Windows 7 laptop, since the module simply will not work.

Connecting and setting up WiFi in Windows 7: Video

How to install drivers for a WiFi module

As a rule, the laptop comes with a disk with the necessary programs, including drivers. Installing them is extremely simple. You need to insert the disc into the drive. After that, it will automatically start, and you just need to click “Full installation”. This completes the installation, after which you need to reboot the device.

Do not rush to get upset if for some reason there is no such disk. Everything you need can be easily and quickly downloaded from the Internet. To do this, you just need to go to the official website of the laptop manufacturer and select your model from the list. All this is completely free, and all offered software is checked for viruses. It is worth noting that when installing drivers manually, it is recommended to install them in a specific order.

First of all, the driver is installed on the motherboard (chipset) and only after that on the processor and video card. After this, you can install drivers for all other elements, including the network card and WiFi adapter.

Reinstalling the WiFi driver: Video

After all programs are installed, you should restart your computer and go to the network settings.

Setting up a wireless connection in Windows 7

So, here we come to the main question, how to enable Wi-Fi on a laptop with Windows 7. After installing the drivers, you need to. This can be done using a specially provided button, which is indicated by the corresponding icon. On some laptops, this button is combined with another function, and to turn on the wireless communication module, press “FN” and, without releasing it, press the adapter power button.

After this, the system will automatically start searching for available connections and offer you a list to choose from. If the module does not turn on and the system does not start searching, then you should go to the “Start” menu and launch “Control Panel”. In the window that appears, click “Network and Internet” and go to the “Network and Sharing Center”.

In the window that appears, in the left column, select “Change adapter settings.” Here you will see the Wireless Network Connection shortcut. If it is gray, then you should right-click on it and click “Enable”.

After this, a WiFi connection icon will appear in the Windows 7 tray (in the lower right corner - slightly to the left of the clock and date), displaying the signal strength. When you click on it, a window will open that displays a list of networks available for connection. Here you need to select the name of your router and click the “Connect” button.

If a password was specified in the wifi router settings, you must enter it and click “Connect”.

It is worth noting that in some cases, additional configuration of a WiFi wireless network on a Windows 7 system may be required. To do this, you need to go to the “Network and Sharing Center” and go to the “Change adapter settings” item (you already know how to do this).

Here, right-click on the “Wireless Network Connection” shortcut and select “Properties”. In the window that appears, you need to find “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”, select it and click “Properties”. Next, you should enter your network information. As a rule, modern routers provide all data automatically. This means that initially all the checkboxes should be set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain a DNS server address automatically.”

Sometimes this function is not supported and therefore all data must be entered manually. How to manually connect a Windows 7 laptop to Wi-Fi? It's simple. To do this, move the checkboxes to “Use the following IP address:” and enter the following values:

IP address – 192.168.0.3;
Subnet mask – 255.255.255.0;
The main gateway is 192.168.0.1.

After that, select “Use the following DNS server address” and enter the following values:

Preferred DNS server – 192.168.0.1;
Alternative DNS server - leave unchanged.

Click the “Ok” button and close all windows. The values you enter may vary. It all depends on what data the provider provided you or on how the router is configured. But in the vast majority of cases, the above data is used.

This completes the WiFi setup on a Windows 7 laptop. Of course, it is impossible to describe a universal method for setting up a wireless connection that will suit absolutely everyone, since there are a variety of problems that require an individual approach to solve. However, in most cases, setting up a Wi-Fi network on Windows 7 is limited to the settings described above.