How To Create Hotspot In Windows 7 Laptop

5+ free hotspot software for Windows 7 to setup Wi-Fi sharing

Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer. She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies -- AI and DNA computing in... Read more

Updated: Apr 13, 2020

Posted: October 2018

Hotspot creators are ideal for sharing Internet access to any network-enabled device that can't go online. You can also extend your Wi-Fi signal to reach more devices in your household.
With the right tool for the job, like Connectify Hotspot, you can share any kind of network, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, mobile and VPN connections, which is great for traveling.
If you use Windows 10, check out the best Wi-Fi hotspot software for Windows 10!
Visit our Hotspot hub read more awesome guides!

best hotspot software windows 7

A proper internet connection usually stands behind a fixed, cabled network. With Wi-Fi becoming the norm these days, what happens when you want to share the internet connection from the PC to other wireless devices? Well, the idea of a hotspot is clearly the answer.

In this guide, we're going to showcase the best free hotspot software tools for Windows 7, which allow users to set up a Wi-Fi sharing system right from their PCs.

Creating an Internet hotspot basically means sharing the internet connection to other devices through a Wi-Fi network. The originating source of data can either be a fixed cable network or a mobile data plan, for those using their smartphone.

In other words, the device which creates the hotspot acts as a router and handles data sharing through wireless.

This is pretty easy to accomplish from a mobile device but problems appear when users are behind a Windows 7 computer. Luckily, there are enough software solutions that can create a hotspot using the PC.

Here's a quick rundown of the best hotspot software for Windows 7.

What are the best free Wi-Fi hotspot software for Windows 7?

Connectify Hotspot

Connectify Hotspot is hands down the best hotspot software that tops the list due to its wide popularity. It's a fully-featured routing software that transforms your PC or laptop into an actual Wi-Fi adapter.

This allows users to share the connection with other gadgets like smartphones, tablets, and so on. Best of all, it's available for free.

However, for advanced features, users can opt for the paid version: Pro or Max. While the free version lets users share from Ethernet and Wi-Fi networks only, the premium versions also offer the option of sharing phone data.

Other features that are commonly shared by all versions are the ad-blocking facility and the real-time network usage monitoring.

Some of the features that set the premium versions apart are the option to select the firewall controls, custom SSID, and a wired router type.

⇒Get Connectify Hotspot

Baidu Wi-Fi Hotspot

Baidu Wi-Fi Hotspot is easily the next most popular hotspot software after Connectify. It's known for its multitude of features such as the integrated Wi-Fi hotspot facility in your mobile phone device.

Once you have downloaded the software and the installation is complete, it will identify the Wi-Fi connection, automatically create the virtual network, and connect the devices present in the Wi-Fi zone.

The best part is that users do not need to create a password once the installation is complete. As an extra, Baidu does allow users to modify the SSID and password at any given time.

The software is known for its secure connection and reliability.

⇒ Get Baidu Wi-Fi Hotspot

mHotSpot

mHotSpot is another great hotspot software for Windows 7 that converts your system into a real-time Wi-Fi router.

It's a cross-platform software that enables users to share LAN, mobile, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet connections with several devices on all major platforms like PCs, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and PDAs.

The software comes with plenty of features in comparison to its adversaries and can connect up to 10 devices at a time.

mHotSpot connects the devices to a hotspot created by itself, and it can also work as a repeater, helping to lengthen the Wi-Fi range. The Wi-Fi hotspot is also secured with a WPA2 PSK password.

Best of all, it's completely free with no additional upgraded versions.

⇒Get mHotSpot

HostedNetworkStarter

If you are looking for an alternative to Connectify, HostedNetworkServer can be a great try. It's another hotspot software that can easily convert the PC into a Wi-Fi adapter. The software shares similar functionalities with the previous three programs, such as:

Creating a Wi-Fi hotspot using the wireless network adapter of the computer
Allowing any other device with a Wi-Fi router to access the internet and the network available on your PC

What we especially like about the software is that it does not need to be installed on your PC to be operated. All you need to do is to download the zip file, open the file, and start the executable file at once.

If you are a power user, you can make use of the command-line criteria to improve the software features.

⇒ Get HostedNetworkServer

Virtual Router Manager

Virtual Router Manager is another great program that is simple yet efficient enough to convert the Windows 7 system into a hotspot in minutes.

Downloading the software will allow users to connect their PC to any device that is Wi-Fi enabled.

This is an extremely useful program that does not require the usual configuration process. The connection created by the tool utilizes WPA2 password security offering you a secure connection.

Bonus – apart from being free of cost, it's free of ads and also never tracks your web footfall.

⇒Get Virtual Router Manager

MaryFi HotSpot Software

Those looking for software that can convert the Windows PC into a virtual router should use MaryFi, as it can well suit your requirements.

It comes with a lot more features than Connectify's free version, apart from offering support for Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and cellular.

Moreover, it's compatible with multiple platforms, allowing a wide range of devices to connect, such as smartphones, laptops, desktops, tablets, gaming consoles, or music players.

It's a secure program offering WPA2 encryption, which helps users to password-protect their system for enhanced security.

⇒Get MaryFi

My Public Wi-Fi

MyPublicWiFi lives up to its name by allowing users to create their own public Wi-Fi. It's a simple program that comes with a user-friendly design.

The program is easy to understand and hence, can be easily installed and set up the hotspot. Users simply need to install the software on the machine, enter the network key and click "Start".

The software allows to enable or disable file sharing allow or block URL log.

When enabled, the program lets users record and keep a check on all the URL pages that have been accessed using the specific Wi-Fi connection.

Price: Free to download.

⇒Get MyPublicWiFi

Conclusion

While you can always connect your Windows laptop with the tethering hotspot on your smartphone device to access Wi-Fi, these hotspot solutions for Windows 7 make for a perfect way to convert your machine into a Wi-Fi hotspot in seconds.

Moreover, they also offer additional settings.

So, simply choose your favorite from the above list, and happy surfing!

Important note: Microsoft officially ended Windows 7 support. If you're planning to upgrade to Windows 10, make sure to check out our wide collection of guides on how to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Some hotspot software developers may no longer support Windows 7. As a result, particular tools may no longer work as intended but the programs listed above should not be affected by this change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my PC as a hotspot?

Yes, you can use your PC as a hotspot if you have a network adapter installed. For example, if you have a tablet with mobile access, you can turn it into virtual router and share Internet access using 4G data.
How do I download a hotspot to my computer?

Choose any software solutions we recommended above and click the download button to immediately download a hotspot creator to your PC.
How do I use my phone as a hotspot for my computer?

You can turn your Android or iPhone into a hotspot to share Internet access with your PC by using Mobile Hotspot and Tethering (for Android) and Personal Hotspot (for iOS). If you're experiencing issues, find out how you can fix Mobile Hotspot errors.