This article explains how to share a single internet connection with multiple devices using Windows XP.

What to Know

  • Log in to host computer as admin > Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections.Next, select Network Connections > right-click connection to share > Properties > Advanced tab.Next, select Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection > OK.

Difficulty: Average

The following instructions are for Windows XP. Microsoft ended support for Windows XP on April 2014, and no longer provides security updates or technical support for the Windows XP operating system. There are separate instructions for Vista and Windows 7. You can also share your Mac’s wired internet connection via WiFi. 

Time Required: 20 minutes

How to Share Internet Connection in Windows XP

Using the built-in Internet Connection Sharing feature on Windows computers, you can share that single Internet access with any device over Wi-Fi or by connecting with an ethernet wire. In essence, you can turn your computer into a wireless hotspot (or wired router) for other devices nearby.

  • Log on to the Windows host computer (the one connected to the Internet) as an Administrator.
  • Go to Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > Network Connections.
  • Right-click your Internet connection that you want to share (e.g., Local Area Connection) and select Properties.
  • Select the Advanced tab of the Properties dialog box.
  • Under Internet Connection Sharing, select Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.
  • Most people don’t use dial-up anymore, but if that’s how you connect to the Internet, select Establish a dial-up connection whenever a computer on my network attempts to access the Internet.
  • Select OK and you will receive a message about your LAN adapter being set to 192.168.0.1.
  • Select Yes to confirm you want to enable Internet Connection Sharing.

Your Internet connection will now be shared with other computers on your local network; if you connect them via wire (either directly or through a wireless hub), you’re all set.

Log on to the Windows host computer (the one connected to the Internet) as an Administrator.

Go to Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > Network Connections.

Right-click your Internet connection that you want to share (e.g., Local Area Connection) and select Properties.

Select the Advanced tab of the Properties dialog box.

Under Internet Connection Sharing, select Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.

Most people don’t use dial-up anymore, but if that’s how you connect to the Internet, select Establish a dial-up connection whenever a computer on my network attempts to access the Internet.

Select OK and you will receive a message about your LAN adapter being set to 192.168.0.1.

Select Yes to confirm you want to enable Internet Connection Sharing.

If you want to connect the other devices wirelessly, however, you’ll need to Set Up an Ad Hoc Wireless Network or use newer Wi-Fi Direct technology.

Tips

  • Clients that connect to the host computer should have their network adapters set to get their IP address automatically (look in the network adapter properties, under TCP/IPv4 or TCP/IPv6 and click Obtain an IP address automatically).
  • If you create a VPN connection from your host computer to a corporate network, all of the computers on your local network would be able to access the corporate network if you use ICS.
  • If you share your Internet connection over an ad-hoc network, ICS will be disabled if you disconnect from the ad hoc network, create a new ad hoc network, or log off from the host computer.

What You Need

  • A Windows XP computer with Internet connection and another network adapter
  • Client computers that are TCP-IP enabled and capable of an Internet connection
  • Network adapter for each computer
  • Modem for the entire network

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