One of the wireless sharing tools that Windows 7 was supposed to have was the ability to turn any computer running Windows 7 into a WiFi hotspot. Unfortunately, Microsoft didn’t include that feature in the final release of Windows 7.
Thanks to a program called Connectify, you can get that feature back and turn your Windows 7-powered laptop into a WiFi hotspot so you can share your Internet connection with family, friends, classmates, co-workers and other mobile devices.
What is Connectify?
Connectify is a free and easy to use software router for Windows 7 computers. With Connectify, users can wirelessly share any Internet connection: a cable modem, a cellular card, or even another Wi-Fi network. Other Wi-Fi enabled devices including laptops, smart phones, music players, and gaming systems can see and join your Connectify hotspot just like any other Wi-Fi access point and are kept safe and secure by password-protected WPA2 Encryption.
Connectify Video Demo
Popular Use Cases:
1. Home – You can use it to act as a repeater for your home router and extend its range. You can also use it to share your WiFi connection to friends and visitors without having to provide the real SSID and password, keeping your network more secure.
2. School – Many schools and educational institutions limit the number of devices that a person can register to the wireless networks. By using Connectify, you bypass these limitations and securely connect other mobile devices to your personal WiFi network.
3. On the Road – For people who are always on the go and travel a lot, having a reliable Internet connection is very important. Not all airports, hotels, coffee shops and restaurants offer free WiFi and could charge around $10-15 per connection. You can use it to share both the expense and the Internet connection with family, friends or co-workers. Most hotels offer free Internet connection, however they only provide access via an ethernet cable meaning you can’t access for your WiFi only mobile devices. Again with Connectify, you can share the single Internet connection with other mobile devices.
Connectify is 100% free and unrestricted, compatible with any WiFi enabled device and most importantly, it is reliable and secure. It is available to download for FREE only for computers running Windows 7.
Connectify is easy to install and setup. Just download the installer, install the program and run it. Once Connectify is running and you’re connected to the Internet, just create a new access point, create a passphrase/password and choose which connection to share (if your computer has multiple connections). People who will connect to your Connectify WiFi access point will see a real access point, not an “ad-hoc” network. Now you can share your Internet connection with family, friends, schoolmates and coworkers without the need for extra hardware or tethering hacks.
Connectify is definitely a must-have app for any Windows 7 user. Even if you don’t have a need for it right now, just download and install it on your Windows 7-powered computer because you’ll never know, it can be a lifesaver and might come in handy one of these days!
What do you think of Connectify? Anybody else tried or is using this program on their Windows 7-powered computers? Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.
Guys the error persists in the latest version. It won’t allow you to connect to the internet. Try Connectify 2.1, this version seems to be free of that bug.
It’s irresponsible of Connectify not to clearly state that it won’t work with broadband cellular connections. If they think it should work they should try Verizon and Sprint cards, see the errors, and then either tell people in detail how to make it work or warn them it won’t work.
I have installed connectify on my Vaio E series Windows 7 laptop and made the WifiHot spot active.. …the problem now is when i connect USB broadband connection and tried to connect the internet i am getting a blue screen which says “driver irql not less or equal”. I tried to exit from the connectify wifi hotspot and then connected my USB broadband connection even then the problem persist. so the only way to connect the USB broadband is to uninstall the connectify software… Pls provide a soln……cant we use a network connection in manage wireless networks to make our window 7 act as a wifi hotspot….
Connectify has some issues in Windows7 when using a 3G modem stick and no software fix available for now.however you may try creating ad hoc wifi connection using your wifi enabled laptop to create a hotspot by then you can connect your wifi devices. pop open the network and sharing center and create a new connection using ad hoc, create connection name,password etc. try connecting your 3G modem and connect to the internet …I tried this method to share 3G modem stick internet connection with 2 laptops it works.
Connectify has some issues in Windows7 when using a 3G modem stick and no software fix available for now.however you may try creating ad hoc wifi connection using your wifi enabled laptop to create a hotspot by then you can connect your wifi devices. pop open the network and sharing center and create a new connection using ad hoc, create connection name,password etc. try connecting your 3G modem and connect to the internet …I tried this method to share 3G modem stick internet connection with 2 laptops it works.
Did you encounter this problem?
“System is not functioning” when trying to connect your 3G modem?
(after installing Connectify)
I have the same problem. Tried reinstalling VZAM (broadband drivers) and it still didn’t work. Everytime I start VZAM it would blue screen. I also tried uninstalling Connectify, started up VZAM (worked fine now), reinstalled Connectify (while connected with the modem) but the Connectify install would hang. As soon as I disconnected the modem the Connectify install would then continue. After it completes, bring up VZAM and connect, blue screen. Ugh!
I have installed connectify software in my Lenovo T410 Windows 7 laptop and made the WifiHot spot active.. then i turnon wif in my mobile and now i am able to connect to my laptop…the problem now is when i connect USB broadband connection and tried to connect the internet i am getting a blue screen which says “driver irql not less or equal”. I tried to exit from the connectify wifi hotspot and then connected my USB broadband connection even then the problem persist. so the only way to connect the USB broadband is to uninstall the connectify software… Pls provide a soln….
it seems to me that Connectify is not usefull when you are using a 3g modem broadband… AM I RIGHT connectify Team??? Hope you could solve and answer this problem…. coz I have the same problrm like most people do…
Jeffrey if I had known it was Connectify causing that error 31 problem, it would have saved me a whole lot of time yesterday! Still haven’t found a work around to it though… I get the error when trying to connect with my 3G modem with Connectify installed.
Hi I tried installing connectify software on my acer laptop running windows7 and using smartbro plug-it. after connectify installation I can wirelessly connect to my other laptop running vista however when I install the smartbro modem it shows a message “connection error line 31” and won’t connect to the internet so i uninstalled the connectify app and i got my smartbro modem access the net. I seems there is a conflict somewhere can anyone point out what cause this “connection error line 31” problem?
That is a cool piece of software. Ideal for people with those awful USB modems you get free from ISPs, however, I do see some security issues with it and the always on issue.
i just love Connectify!! its so helpful for me