Wi-Fi Direct is a Wi-Fi standard that lets devices connect to each other without a router or access point. It’s how a phone casts to a TV, prints to a printer or sends files to another phone with no network around. It runs at normal Wi-Fi speeds and can connect one device to one other, or one to many. The Wi-Fi Alliance launched it in 2010.

How Windows Uses Wi-Fi Direct for Hotspots

Older Windows versions created hotspots with a feature called hosted network. From Windows 10, Microsoft moved hotspots to Wi-Fi Direct, and many current Wi-Fi drivers no longer support hosted network at all. The Windows 10 and 11 mobile hotspot uses Wi-Fi Direct, and so does Connectify Hotspot 27 by default.

Use Wi-Fi Direct to Share Your PC’s Internet

Connectify Hotspot uses Wi-Fi Direct to turn your Windows 10 or 11 PC into a Wi-Fi hotspot, so your phone, tablet, console and other laptops can share its connection. Download Connectify Hotspot free and follow these steps:

1. Download and install Connectify Hotspot on your 64-bit Windows 10 or 11 PC.
2. Open it and choose Wi-Fi hotspot.
3. Under Internet to share, pick the connection you want to share: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, a VPN or a phone plugged in with USB.
4. Set a password. Turn on Block ads if you want lighter pages on every device.
5. Click Start hotspot. Devices join by scanning the QR code on the Hotspot screen, or with the network name and password, like any other Wi-Fi network.