It goes without saying that everyone nowadays uses the internet. A lot. Typically, as a result of this, there are wireless Internet networks virtually everywhere – in homes, shopping centers, cafes and even some restaurants. People use these Internet connections all the time for personal and business reasons. With buzzing social media networks, people wanted to be online all the times to get the updates instantly. Because of this, it’s important to know how to connect to a wireless network in Windows 10, no matter where you are.
Related:Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows 10.
Requirements for Connecting to Wi-Fi
When you are at home or your own office, there are hardware requirements before you connect to wireless network.
- Your laptop should have wireless network adapter. Nowadays you no need to worry about this, as there will be no laptop comes without wireless network adapter. In fact most of the latest laptops doesn’t have traditional Ethernet network port at all.
- Modem / router – you should have integrated modem and router. There are many routers sold on the market like D-Link, TP-Link, etc. It is also possible to have separate devices for modem and router.
- Internet network from service provider.
When you are looking for wireless networks at public places like airport or coffee shops then you should have the network name and security key for connection.
Configuring Router
Once you have purchased an Internet plan from your Internet service provider, connect your router / modem to the network port. Switch on your laptop and you will see a Wi-Fi icon on the taskbar. Remember, just seeing a Wi-Fi icon does not mean you are connected to Internet. This means you are connected to wireless router.
://img.webnots.com/2018/06/Connecting-to-Wireless-Connection.png”> Connecting to Wireless Connection
Viewing Available Networks
Windows 10 offers many ways to connect to a wireless network. Once you have created required connection details, go to “Control Panel > Network & Internet > Network Connection”. Here you will see all the available network connection and the status.
.webnots.com/2018/06/Check-Network-Connections.png”> Check Network Connections
nots.com/2018/06/Wi-Fi-Icon-Shows-Available-Connections.png”> Wi-Fi Icon Shows Available Connections
Connecting to Your Network
Find your network name and click on it. Check the ‘Connect Automatically’ checkbox and then click on the ‘Connect’ button.
om/2018/06/Connect-to-Your-Network.png”> Connect to Your Network
06/Wi-Fi-Network-Connected.png”> Wi-Fi Network Connected
Troubleshooting Network Adapters
If you’re unsure about what a network adapter is, don’t worry, its more than likely built into the computer itself, as part of the motherboard or as part of a Network Interface Card. If you wish to know more about network adapters, I suggest looking at our troubleshooting network adapter article. The article involves looking for problems with your network adapter. The same steps can easily be taken to check if you actually any problem with your wireless network adapter.
Changing Properties of Wi-Fi Network
Click on the Wi-Fi icon and then click on the ‘Properties’ link under your network name.
ing-Wireless-Network-Properties.png”> Changing Wireless Network Properties
- Connect automatically when the router is available in range
- Set the network profile as public or private. Public networks will not be available for printer and file sharing. So when you are in home, select private profile to use with other devices.
- Set the network as metered connection. Learn more on this.
- Change the IP address to static IP, if you have one from your service provider. Learn more on how to change to static IP in Windows 10.
- View the properties of your wireless network like SSID, protocol, security type, network band, etc.
Related:Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Android.
Connecting to Public Wireless Networks
When you are at airport or coffee shop, you can connect to the free W-Fi offered by them. Remember those free wireless connections are mostly not secured even though you need to validate your identity. So we strongly recommend not connecting to public wireless connection, especially for doing financial transactions.
If you still want to connect for emergency reasons, click on the Wi-Fi icon on the taskbar. From the list of available networks, you can choose one needed and connect to it.
- Some of the public connections require you to visit their website and connect, as a form of advertising and to cover the expense of the otherwise free Internet – the money has to come from somewhere. If this is the case, the computer will notify you, and all you will usually need accept the terms on the said website.
- Nowadays it is common to verify the connection with SMS message send to your phone. Also some public facilities offer QR code for scanning with, WeChat or WhatsApp for getting personal verification code.
Its important to note that the Internet connection may be quite slow in most public places, regardless of how good the connection strength is, due to the amount of people that are using the same connection. Due to this, it is usually better to be connected to a limited access connection, such as a personal/home Internet connection, or a password protected one (if you know the password), as the connection will be faster and much more stable.
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