How to configure Connectify to distribute Wi-Fi to all devices? Setting up the Connectify program and creating a wireless network Connectify installation and configuration.

It was limited by the presence of an ADSL modem or a cable for a network card. Very often, Internet providers used restrictions on the ability to split the “Internet signal” across several computers. Violation was subject to a fine in the form of increased fees. Today, almost every operator allows you to use the Internet connection at your own discretion. ISP offerings include not only network access service, but also devices that provide Internet access to more gadgets. One of best solutions Today, the Connectify program is used to distribute the Internet.

Setting up Connectify for Wi-Fi distribution.

Let's use Connectify in practice and create an access point - Hotspot. Before setting up and installing, it is recommended to visit the page technical support and check if the network cards are compatible and supported by the application. To install the program, download and run it, after which the New Software Installation Wizard will open. Click the “I Accept” button and confirm to restart your PC.

Setting up a Wi-Fi adapter with an access point

How to set up Connectify? Upper part The screen with the “Settings” section contains the most important application parameters:

• Wi-Fi name – the name of the network we are creating. wireless network or, in the case of coverage expansion, the name of the network being expanded;
• Password – password for the wireless network;
• Internet - here you need to install network connection– usually this is a “connection via local network» (cable) or in the case of the Internet via a 3G modem - telephone connection;
• The mode is hidden by default, it allows you to configure the operating mode (access point using WPA2-PSK encryption, Ad-Hoc in open mode or WEP encryption);
• The “Easy Installation Wizard” button allows you to set the necessary parameters in a few minutes. simple steps, which define the network name, password and general connection, and will also help you figure out how to use the Connectify application.

General settings

You can launch the wizard and follow a few simple steps:

• On the first screen, click the “Next” button;
• At the second stage, the wizard will prompt you to enter a wireless network name that will be available to other devices;
• The third step is to set a wireless network password. The password must contain at least 8 characters. Default network encryption is WPA2-PSK;
• At the fourth step of the wizard, you can select a connection. The connection names (loaded from the operating system) are displayed as a drop-down menu. In most cases, you need to select "Local Area Connection";
• The last step of the wizard is to confirm the changes and allow Hotspot to launch.

On the main screen of the application window, the connection status and hotspot will be displayed at the top of the window.

Setting up the connection type

After setting up the application, it is worth remembering that the firewall is initially configured correctly. In case of built-in Windows Firewall Connectify will handle the settings automatically. Other firewalls should be updated with the following network rules:

• Access for Connectifyd.exe, opening ports: UPnP – UDP 1900, TCP 2869, 5000;
• Access for ConnectifyNetServices.exe, opening ports for DHCP – UDP 67, 68, 1317 and for DNS – UDP 53, 1303

Additional information:

• Clients – provides information about those connected to the created Wi-Fi networks clients along with IP addresses and their names. Right-clicking on the icon allows you to block or unblock network access, as well as quickly view available network resources, connected client, and so on. Default connection address: 192.168.2.0/24;
• Connection history – a summary of previously connected network clients;
• Start/Stop Hotspot – button for Connect Hotspot.

Right-clicking the Connectify logo or text opens a pop-up menu containing hidden functions (such as setting up a wireless network connection). You can also enable or disable the UPnP server (this option is useful for Xbox users, for example). Clone option Wi-Fi settings allows you to configure Connectify Hotspot and clone wireless network settings, expanding its coverage through a computer running Connectify. The WPS menu allows you to save the network configuration to a flash drive and transfer it to another computer.

Emerging problems and their solutions

To easily distribute IP using Connectify, you need to properly configure the access point. If problems occur, first check for new versions of network card or motherboard drivers on the manufacturers' websites. If Connectify still does not distribute the Internet, check your connection settings. Go to the “Network and Sharing Center” section of the control panel and check your Internet connection settings. IP, DNS, subnet mask, etc. must be specified. If problems occur, to determine correct settings network connection, you should contact your provider.

Looking at how the Connectify app works, it seems that the Internet connection sharing mechanism is almost a clone of ICS (Internet Connection Sharing), known for many years on Windows. In a sense, this is correct. However, ICS configuration can be overwhelming for a novice user. Problems can also arise when connecting computers to a VPN network.

• easy installation and configuration;
• opportunity quick access to the hot spot;
• many use cases;
• low cost - in case of purchasing a Wi-Fi adapter, and in the case of a laptop - free.

• lack of support for popular 3G modems;
• The computer connected to the network must be turned on at all times.

Often sharing Connecting wirelessly to your computer is an easy way to temporarily share your Wi-Fi network with other devices. Connectify makes it easy to distribute the Internet to many network devices. No complicated settings for the operating system. The application has one more advantage - it is free.

Today, Internet access based on Wi-Fi distribution can be found anywhere. Any cafe can offer visitors a free connection. To make installation easier optimal parameters and an application like Connectify was developed. Setting up the program is not that difficult. At least a person who has encountered Wi-Fi distribution at least once will understand it in a couple of minutes. The average user will not experience any particular difficulties either, but there are some nuances here.

What is the Connectify program?

An application like Connectify can be configured in several steps, which we will discuss now. But first, let's look at the program itself. What is she?

Roughly speaking, this is a means of distributing Wi-Fi programmatically, which allows you to literally refuse to use a router (router), assigning the built-in motherboard Wi-Fi adapter. As is already clear, if there is none, there can be no talk of using the application.

Choosing the optimal OS

Now about the most important nuance of the Connectify application. Installation and configuration with the best parameters, as evidenced by reviews from many users and specialists, involves using the utility in the Windows 7 operating system environment.

The problem with modifying XP even with the third service pack installed is that the program simply does not work in it. In distribution it turns out to be much more difficult, since access to shared networks you have to configure it manually. In addition, in the eighth version of Windows, stability in the application is very difficult to achieve. There are often cases when a program simply “crashes” for no reason at all. Therefore, setting up Connectify will be considered specifically for Windows 7. In it, the application shows maximum performance and ease of setting the required parameters.

Connectify: how to install and configure the application? First steps. Where and what to download?

The first stage involves installing the package. First you need to download the installation distribution from the official website, where you will be offered two options for downloading: the standard free version and the Pro modification, for which you will have to pay.

Here the choice is up to the user. After downloading, run the installation file (required as administrator) and agree to the license agreement. Next, the entire process will be completed by the “Setup Wizard”, and at the end of the process you will need to reboot the system by selecting Reboot now in the final window.

Connectify setup: creating an access point

After Windows restarts, an icon corresponding to installed application. Now let's move directly to the question of how to set up the Connectify program. Settings are accessed by clicking on the icon. The main window appears on the screen initial settings, where you will need to enter the initial parameters.

The application interface is not Russified, so we pay attention to English names. In the Hotspot Name field, enter an arbitrary name for the future network. In this case, it is advisable not to use personal data such as last name or first name. In the next field (Password) we enter your password (it becomes active only after setting the WEP Wi-Fi Ad-hoc encryption parameter in the Sharing Mode distribution mode section. In the Internet to share item, select from the list which provider cable is directly connected to. In the Share line Over, a Wi-Fi adapter is installed. The Pro version has two more items for firewall settings. However, apparently, few ordinary users will use the paid version (the boxes are checked by default), so it’s worth noting that. in the free modification of the application, these two points are inactive.

After all the parameters have been entered, all that remains is to click the activation button (Start Hotspot), after which the connection icon should appear in the tray new network. Now it is completely ready for other devices to be connected to it, including mobile devices.

As you can see, the solution to the question of how to configure Connectify to the optimal mode turned out to be completely simple. Now let's move on to some other useful features.

The main advantage of this application is that it has special controls for all client devices currently connected to the created network. To display complete information on them, you just need to enter the Clients section. There you can also view a list of all MAC addresses. In addition, the Services section contains complete information about connection speed, traffic usage, active adapters, information about inactive primary and secondary devices, etc. In the History menu, you can view the connection history, as well as analyze all data related to the connected devices or users.

But that's not all. The program turns out to be indispensable when working with Yota devices and connections based on 4G technology. The fact is that the device itself can already be identified as network card, so in the free version of Connectify such a device works without any problems at all. True, some experts recommend not installing updates for the main application from time to time, as this may cause some communication problems. But when using Yota, you can simply play with relatives at home over a local network in multiplayer mode.

Conclusion

That, in fact, is all that concerns how to configure Connectify to optimal mode. As can be seen from all of the above, the setup process comes down to just selecting a few basic parameters and, in comparison with the same setup of a wireless network using operating systems Windows systems It looks so simplified that even an ordinary user, who is completely far from understanding Wi-Fi-based distribution, will not be able to fill out the necessary fields and set the recommended parameter values.

Naturally this software is constantly being improved, but so far there is no consensus among experts and ordinary users regarding the advisability of installing all kinds of updates or even new versions.

Connectify HotSpot allows you to share your Internet connection with others by turning your computer into a virtual Wi-Fi router. Once Connectify HotSpot is launched, other devices can share your Internet connection, which is especially convenient when traveling. Setting up your hotspot is easy and free, all you need is the Connectify software, a computer with a Wi-Fi adapter running Windows control and an active Internet connection.

Steps

Part 1

Check your operating system version. Connectify HotSpot can be used on Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 2012, Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10. If you have more than old version Windows like XP or Vista needs to be updated before installing Connectify HotSpot. Find out which version of Windows you are using - click ⊞ Win + S, then type control /name microsoft.system . Click “About Your PC” or “About This Computer” and look at the “Windows Edition” section.

Select the Connectify version to install. You can choose from three versions:

Download Connectify from the official website. If you want to purchase the Pro or Max version, then click “Buy Now” to pay, create an account and start downloading. To download the free version of HotSpot Lite, click “Download”. A dialog box will appear asking you to select a location to save the installation file. Select “Desktop”.

Run the installation file. Double click on the “Connectify Installer” icon on your desktop. When you see a message from User Account Control (UAC) asking if you want to allow the program to make changes to your computer, click “Yes.” Read the license agreement and click “Agree” to begin installation. When the installation is complete, restart your computer as directed by the installer.

Part 2

Setting up an access point

1. Launch Connectify. To launch the program, double-click the Connectify HotSpot icon on your desktop. Before other devices can access the Internet through your computer, you need to set up the program.

   • If you purchased Pro or Max, click “Already Bought.” On the next screen, use your address email and password to log into your account. If you have forgotten your password, click the "Forgot your password?" link. (“Forgot Your Password?”) and follow the onscreen instructions.
   • If you want to use the Lite version, click “Try it Out”. You won't need to log in.

2. Select your internet connection under " Sharing to the Internet" (“Internet to Share”). Select the network you are connected to. Users of the Pro and Max versions can choose a 3g or 4g mobile connection, but in the HotSpot Lite version there is no such option and you need to choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

   Select a password for your access point (HotSpot). A password is a code that other users must enter to connect their devices to the Internet through your access point. You don't need the Pro or Max version to set a password.

   • For optimal security, your password must be 8 characters long, including letters, numbers, and symbols.
   • If you are using Pro or Max versions, you can change the access point name. This is the name that other devices discover when searching for available networks.

3. Click “Start HotSpot”. The access point will start and other devices will be able to connect to it using the set password.

4. Connect other devices to Connectify HotSpot. Find available wireless networks on your device. When you see the dot in the search results Connectify access HotSpot (the network name will have the word "Connectify"), connect to it just like any other Wi-Fi network using set password. The device now has access to the Internet.

   • As long as the device has Wi-Fi access, it can connect to Connectify HotSpot as if it were a regular wireless network. Neither the type of device (tablet, phone, laptop, etc.) nor the operating system matters.
   • When you disable Connectify HotSpot, turn off your computer, or lose your Internet connection; any device that is using your HotSpot will also be disabled.

• Install the program on the PC.
• Carrying out the setup Connectify and set a general password for the wireless network.
• We connect clients to our network - telephone and laptop.

1. Download the program and run installation file, there are no settings during the installation process, so we won’t dwell on it.
Unless you have to restart your computer after installing the program.

In the first window that opens after restarting the PC, selectContinue - Try Connectify Lite.

2. Open the program settings by clicking on the wireless network icon in the lower right corner of the screen.

Fill in the fields:

• Hotspot Name- the name of our wireless network.
• Internet to Share- select from the network card through which your PC is connected to the Internet,
• Share Over— here you specify the Wi-Fi adapter to which other devices will connect.
• Sharing Mode— selection of modes Wi-Fi work adapter.
• Allow Local Network Access— enable/disable access from wireless to local network. Works also in the paid version.
• Password- specify the password to connect to the wireless network. ( In the Sharing Mode field - select the mode WEP).
  A) Passwordless mode - Wi-Fi Ad-Hoc, Open
  b)Password mode- Encrypted (WEP)
  (We use this mode to protect the network from accidental connections.).
• Allow Internet Access— enable/disable Internet access. Works in paid version Pro.
• Allow Local Network Access— enable/disable access from wireless to local network. Works also in the paid version.

Now press the button ""Start Hotspot" and the program icon will change to a gray icon, which means the computer is ready to connect.

3. Turn on your laptop or other device WiFi network and wait until the list of available networks appears, from which select your network ( the network name was entered in the Hotspot Name field) then select the “Connection” button.

A window will open to enter your network connection password, enter it ( the password you entered earlier in the Password field)

Now, if the Internet is on your PC and you followed all the instructions, it will appear on other devices connected to the network.

The list of connected devices is available in the tab Clients.

There are many ways to distribute the Internet via Wi-Fi from a laptop or computer with the appropriate adapter - free programs"virtual routers", method with command line and built-in Windows tools, as well as the “Mobile Hotspot” function in Windows 10 (see). The Connectify Hotspot program (in Russian) serves for the same purposes, but has additional functions, and also often works on such hardware configurations and network connections, where other Wi-Fi distribution methods do not work (and is compatible with all latest versions Windows, including Windows 10 Fall Creators Update). This review is about using Connectify Hotspot 2018 and additional functions programs that may be useful.

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Using Connectify Hostspot

Connectify Hotspot is available in a free version, as well as paid Pro and Max versions. Limitations of the free version - the ability to distribute only Ethernet or the existing one via Wi-Fi wireless connection, the inability to change the network name (SSID) and the lack of sometimes useful modes " wired router", repeater, bridge mode (Bridging Mode). IN Pro versions and Max, you can also distribute other connections - for example, mobile 3G and LTE, VPN, PPPoE.

Installing the program is simple and straightforward, but you should definitely restart your computer after installation (since Connectify must configure and launch its own services to work - the functions do not rely entirely on built-in Windows tools, as in other programs, due to which this method of Wi-Fi distribution often works where others cannot be used).

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After the first launch of the program, you will be asked to use the free version (the “Try” button), enter the program key, or make a purchase (you can, if desired, make it at any time).

Further steps for setting up and starting the distribution are as follows (if you wish, after the first launch, you can also view simple instructions for using the program, which will appear in its window).

Windows 10 Build 18298 (19H1) - Improvements to Explorer, Light Theme, Start Menu, Screen Snippet, Notepad and Console.

By default, when you log in Windows program Connectify Hotspot starts automatically in the same state as when you turned off or restarted your computer - if the hotspot was running, it will start again. If desired, this can be changed in “Settings” - “Connectify Launch Options”.

A useful feature, considering that in Windows 10 automatic start Mobile hotspot access points are fraught with difficulties.