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Both use your PC’s network capabilities. Choose the interface that suits your workflow, then check the Windows version, Wi-Fi adapter and working internet connection before starting.
Compare the two starting points
| Option | Best starting point when | Check before using it |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Mobile hotspot | You want to share from Settings without downloading another program | Your internet source, wireless adapter and current Windows settings |
| Free WiFi Hotspot | You want hotspot settings, a local connection QR code and diagnostics in a dedicated interface | Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004, build 19041, or later; supported Wi-Fi hardware |
| A phone’s built-in hotspot | Your internet source is a phone’s mobile data | Carrier tethering support and your data allowance |
Try the option already included in Windows
Open Settings → Network & internet → Mobile hotspot. Choose the working connection under Share my internet connection from, review the network name and password, then enable sharing. On your phone or tablet, select that network and enter the password. The create-a-hotspot guide covers the full Windows setup sequence.
Set up Free WiFi Hotspot
Choose this app if you prefer a dedicated view of hotspot settings and connection information. It is free to download and use on a compatible Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004, build 19041, or later PC. Download it from this website and inspect the installer’s digital signature in Windows file properties before opening it.
- Use the diagnostics view to check Windows hotspot readiness and capability information.
- Review connection status and detected clients; names and addresses depend on what Windows can resolve.
- Choose 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz only when Windows and your Wi-Fi adapter support the band.
- Confirm that the PC itself has a working internet connection, then install and open Free WiFi Hotspot.
- Choose the internet source you want to share, set a recognizable network name and use a strong, unique password.
- Start the hotspot and check the status shown by the application.
- On one nearby phone or tablet, select the hotspot in Wi-Fi settings and enter the password. A compatible phone can also use the app’s connection QR code.
- Confirm that the connected device can open a page, then stop sharing in the application when you finish.
Before sharing, select Run diagnostics and read the capability results on your own PC. The example below illustrates where those results appear; it is not a compatibility promise for another adapter.
About Windows 7, 8, Vista and XP
The current Free WiFi Hotspot release requires Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004, build 19041, or later. Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista and XP are outside the current release’s support scope.
If your computer runs an older system, check its upgrade options and adapter support. Compatibility mode does not add missing Windows hotspot APIs or wireless-driver capabilities.
Test the result before relying on it
Start with one nearby phone or laptop. Confirm that it can join and load a page, then try the task you need, such as a call or file transfer. Slow upstream internet, interference and several active clients can all affect the experience.
If the hotspot will not start, check the wireless adapter and Windows diagnostics. If a device joins but has no internet, check the PC’s source connection and any required guest-network sign-in. The troubleshooting guide below walks through each symptom.
Frequently asked questions
Does Windows need extra software to create a hotspot?
Compatible Windows devices already have Mobile hotspot. A separate program is a choice, not a requirement for every PC.
Can I use this release on Windows 7?
No support is promised for Windows 7. The current application requires Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004, build 19041, or later, plus compatible Wi-Fi hardware.
Will installing software make my internet faster?
A hotspot shares an existing connection. It does not increase the speed supplied by your provider or guarantee better radio performance.
Can I share hotel or workplace Wi-Fi?
First check the network owner’s rules. A connection working on your PC does not automatically mean resharing it is permitted or technically supported.
Check your PC, then download free
Get Free WiFi Hotspot for Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004 and later. You will also need a working internet connection and supported Wi-Fi hardware.
Download Free for Windows