Install wireless on laptop

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Google Green Messages. Use Your iPhone as a Webcam. Hide Private Photos on iPhone. All Microsoft's PowerToys for Windows. Take Screenshot by Tapping Back of iPhone. Windows 11 Default Browser. With a wireless router, you can connect PCs to your network using radio signals instead of wires. Wireless network adapter. A wireless network adapter is a device that connects your PC to a wireless network. To connect your portable or desktop PC to your wireless network, the PC must have a wireless network adapter.

Most laptops and tablets—and some desktop PCs—come with a wireless network adapter already installed. Select Start , type device manager in the search box, and then select Device Manager. After you have all the equipment, you'll need to set up your modem and Internet connection.

If your modem wasn't set up for you by your Internet service provider ISP , follow the instructions that came with your modem to connect it to your PC and the Internet. If you're using cable, connect your modem to a cable jack. Put your wireless router somewhere where it will receive the strongest signal with the least amount of interference. For better results, follow these tips:. Place your wireless router in a central location. Place the router as close to the center of your home as possible to increase the strength of the wireless signal throughout your home.

Position the wireless router off the floor and away from walls and metal objects , such as metal file cabinets. The fewer physical obstructions between your PC and the router's signal, the more likely that you'll be using the router's full signal strength. Reduce interference. Some networking equipment uses a 2. This is the same frequency as most microwaves and many cordless phones. If you turn on the microwave or get a call on a cordless phone, your wireless signal might be temporarily interrupted.

You can avoid most of these issues by using a cordless phone with a higher frequency, such as 5. Security is always important; with a wireless network, it's even more important because your network's signal could be broadcast outside your home. If you don't help secure your network, people with PCs nearby could access info stored on your network PCs and use your Internet connection.

Change the default user name and password. This helps protect your router. Most router manufacturers have a default user name and password on the router and a default network name also known as the SSID.

Someone could use this info to access your router without you knowing it. To help avoid that, change the default user name and password for your router. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe.

Setting up Wi-Fi on your PC is a super easy process if you just follow a few simple steps. Power up the wireless router and use an ethernet cable to connect to one of the network ports on your internet service provider's modem. Open the network setup wizard in Windows. Your router's manufacturer may have their own software or web client to assist the setup process. Consult your owner's manual for more details. Depending on the version of your OS , this process varies:.

In Windows 7 or Windows 8. Enter your username and password when prompted. Many routers use the term admin as a default for both. Again, check your router's manual if you don't know the default username and password.