What is a Virtual Router?

In this post, we’ll explain what a virtual router is, and how you can use it to share Internet from your laptop with any other Wi-Fi-enabled device.

So, what is a virtual router, and why do I need one?

If you’re anything like us, you already carry around several WiFi-enabled devices on a daily basis. But, how do you get your smartphone or tablet online when you’ve only got a single wired Ethernet connection, or the hotel wants to charge you per device for WiFi access? That’s where your Connectify Hotspot virtual router saves the day! Your PC becomes a router, sharing your wired connection as Wi-Fi using the computer’s internal wireless card.

No Hardware Necessary

There’s no reason to carry around a bulky travel router to stay connected on-the-road or at job sites. With the Connectify Hotspot virtual router, you’ve got a fully-featured router right inside your Windows PC. Turn your laptop into a WiFi hotspot and get iPads, smartphones, and other mobile devices online with just a few clicks. The best part is, just like your home router, the Connectify Hotspot virtual router is protected by secure WPA2 encryption.

Setup · about two minutes

Get Connectify Hotspot running on your Windows PC

Three steps, no command prompt, no netsh commands to remember.

  1. Install and open Connectify Hotspot

    Run the installer and let the install finish. Connectify Hotspot opens on its own.

    Connectify Hotspot open on the settings tab
  2. Pick what you are sharing

    Choose the connection your Windows PC is already using, then set a hotspot name and password.

    Choosing which internet connection Connectify Hotspot will share
  3. Start Hotspot

    Your phone, tablet or console now sees the network name you just typed. Connect to that network like any other Wi-Fi.

    Setting a custom hotspot name and password in Connectify Hotspot
Download Connectify Hotspot

Available for Windows 10 and 11

Stay Connected, No Matter Where You Are

Say you’re stuck in a hotel room with just a wired Ethernet connection and have no way of getting your WiFi devices online. Connectify Hotspot’s virtual router lets you broadcast that wired connection as WiFi from right inside your computer. What if you’re trying to get that Ethernet-only game console onto your 4G Hotspot? Our powerful virtual router can do that too, sending the WiFi signal right through your Ethernet cable.
To learn how to use Connectify Hotspot to turn your PC into a virtual router, check out Part 2 of this post.

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Don't Have Connectify Hotspot Yet?

Turn your PC into a WiFi Hotspot and Share Internet with your Devices

Download Connectify Hotspot

Available for Windows 10 and 11