Use Windows 10 wifi hotspot with no internet connection
I’m trying to play a video game with my friends that requires a local wifi network that allows UDP broadcasts. The dorm wifi doesn’t allow UDP broadcasts, so I’m trying to set up my laptop as a hotspot. Windows 10 by default allows you to share an internet connection over wifi, but you must have an internet connection to do so. Sharing the wifi connection results in a lot of problems such as constant disconnects, and I don’t have access to an ethernet connection to share. Is there some way I can set up a wifi network without actually sharing an internet connection?
Nadellas Windows is so stupid, trying to make it comfortable by assuming you never want to have a local hotspot without internet. Same for most other things, like always and under all circumstances making new audio devices primary, and not option to disable that behavior. Software trying to make clever assumptions with no way out is the worst. Sorry for the rant, but don’t, just don’t! Ill buy a Mac if I want to change 80% by a click of a button for 20% impossible to archive.
3 Answers 3
Two resolutions. First being easier, second being overly complex that even I don’t want to approach as it requires programming.
Resolution One: You use a hostednetwork if your wireless adapter is capable. (Usually they are capable.)
1.) Open an elevated command prompt. Win+X and choose CMD (Admin) OR type in «cmd» or «command prompt» into Windows Search by typing into Start Menu and then right click «Command Prompt» and select «Run As Administrator»
2.) Check if your system is capable run this command: netsh wlan show drivers . Scroll down to Hosted network supported . If it says Yes you are in luck; if No there is no easy alternative and don’t continue.
3.) Run the following command to allow and set up your hostednetwork but look below first.
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=%ssid% key=%pass% keyUsage=persistent Replace %ssid% with your Wifi or «Hotspot» Name or SSID. E.g. ssid=MyGreatHotspot . Replace %pass% with your Wifi or «Hotspot» Password. It must be 8 characters long at a minimum. E.g. key=strongPasswordsAreWEAK .
4.) After that run the command, netsh wlan start hostednetwork , to start the «Hotspot» broadcast. Right now you can play without internet connection after all devices connect. Remember to check IP addresses of all your individual devices in order to connect to each other. The hotspot’s IP Address usually is «192.168.137.1».
If you want to share your internet connection or for further reference, continue on:
5.) Open Run (Win + R) or by searching for Run and enter in ncpa.cpl , then press Enter. A new adapter has shown in the screen it should say something along the lines of «Microsoft Hosted Network Virtual Adapter». (Optional if you’re OCD, rename that one if its says «L.A.N Connection* 15» or rather to like «Hotspot»). Right click the Internet Connect Source you want to share internet from and choose «Properties.» Go to the «Sharing» Tab and checkmark or toggle on «Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet Connection.» Apply, OK to save changes.
If you want to stop the hostednetwork, in an elevated command prompt you run the command: netsh wlan stop hostednetwork
Resolution Two: This is taken from this post from user Linard Arquit
In case writing your own application is a possibility, have a look at the WiFi Direct API, which offers a legacy mode. Enabling the legacy mode will create a SoftAP with the specified SSID and password. However, specifying no password doesn’t seem to be supported.
Have a look at the IoTOnboarding sample to see the legacy mode in action (and to have a better ‘documentation’ than what Microsoft officially provides): IotOnboarding/IoTOnboardingService/OnboardingAccessPoint.cs