Setting up a wireless network for your home will allow you greater access to all your devices, more mobility, and it’s more easy than you may think. Here is a quick step-by-step on setting up your own home wireless network.
1. Set up your router.
You will need a wireless enabled router. Different types of routers have limits on how many devices can be connected, so research this information in advance. Once you have the router and have it connected, secure it with a password, and place it in the most central location possible in your home.
2. Plug things in.
If you will be connecting any devices with a wired connection, plug those in now. This may include computers that you want to have connect via Ethernet, but it can also entail devices that don’t have wireless hardware.
3. Plug in the wireless computers.
The simplest way to get your wireless connection rolling is by wiring it into the router first. This will make the rest of the process much more simple.
4. Go into the Windows Wizard
Now that you’re plugged in, we will want to get into the standard Windows configuration wizard. To do this, go to “Start” in the bottom-left hand side of your screen. Now click “Control Panel.” Within “Control Panel,” select “Network and Internet Connection,” then “Wireless Network Setup Wizard.” The exact location of this wizard may vary dependent on your version of Windows. Once you have selected this, follow the step-by-step directions to create a wireless connection with the devices you want your computer to have access to. Some version of the wizard will also allow you to create a USB “automatic setup” drive to simplify the process in the future.
5. Connect devices independently.
Many devices come with the ability to access this wireless LAN on their own. This includes anything with a major graphic user interface, such as tablets (think iPad) and mobile smart phones. The exact procedure will vary dependent on the device, but many of these will allow you to connect to the network by progressing through a simple setup wizard.
