Despite the spread of Windows 7 and 10 among users, old XP is not losing its user audience too quickly. Old computers, nets and laptops are mainly used for solving office tasks and accessing the Internet. Therefore, in this article we will familiarize ourselves with recommendations and instructions that will help set up the Internet on any device with Windows XP installed.

First of all

The network connection setup below is only relevant when using wired Internet. Attention! All actions can only be performed if you have administrator privileges.

  • Click on the “Start” button on the computer and go to “Control Panel”.
  • Launch " Network connections" If such an item is missing, switch the visualization of PU icons to the classic view.

  • Calling context menu active internet connection and click properties. For these purposes, there is a key combination: “Shift + Enter”.


  • Select the item as in the screenshot and click on the “Properties” button, after which the network connection settings in Windows XP will open.

If there is no checkbox next to the option, be sure to check it.

  • Enter the DNS server address, the IP used, the subnet mask and, if necessary, the gateway address.

As a rule, this information is found in the contract that you entered into with the provider, or in an annex to it. Also, the data should be posted on the page of the service provider for providing access to the Internet.

This completes the connection setup with global network completed. Next, you should restart Windows XP and start browsing the Internet.

Creating a VPN

Most providers provide access to the Internet based on the use of VPN technologies - the ability to create one or more virtual networks within another network.

In order to set up a connection using private virtual network technology on a computer with Windows XP, we launch the wizard for creating new connections.

  • The shortcut for calling it is located at the address shown in the screenshot.

  • In the first dialog box, click “Next”.
  • Specify the type of network connection as shown below.

  • Select the Internet connection method as “Connect to a private virtual network.”

  • Set the connection name.

The next dialog will ask you to choose whether to establish another connection before installation, if one exists.

  • We prohibit dialing by setting the switch next to the corresponding option in the setup wizard Windows network XP.

  • Set the name of your connection (here it is better to indicate the provider or connection type if you use several methods to access the Internet.

  • We indicate whether a shortcut is required to activate the connection on the desktop and close the window.

VPN configuration

All that remains is to configure the created VPN connection properly.

  • We go to connections in the “Start” menu and call “Properties” of the newly created connection.

  • Go to the tab called “Network” and select the connection type as L2TPIPSecVPN from the drop-down menu.

In the list of available components, find and use the cursor to select the element “Internet Protocol TCP\IP”.

  • Click on the “Properties” button located below.
  • Enter the DNS server address if your provider does not allow you to do this automatically.

  • Close the dialog box and go to the “Security” tab.
  • We place the trigger next to “Regular” in the frame responsible for security parameters.

  • Uncheck all the boxes and click “Ok” to apply the settings.

To activate the created connection, use the desktop shortcut or the VPN context menu in Windows XP network connections. After calling it, a window will appear asking you to enter your password and account login. Once you have entered the data, it is recommended that you save it to avoid constant entry.

To use the Internet, click “Connection” and wait a couple of seconds until the connection is established.

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Despite the growing popularity of optimized mobile devices Windows 8 and Windows 10, the good old “xp” still enjoys the trust of users. Accordingly, the question “how to create a local network connection on Windows XP” is still relevant for lovers of simple and understandable “classics”. Therefore, here we will look at how to set up a local network between windows xp and windows xp when connecting computers via cable.

How to connect a local network on windows xp?

To set up a local network on Windows XP, you first need to connect the computers using a network cable.

connecting a network cable to a PC network card

A direct local network connection in Windows XP is created in the settings of each network computer.

The cornerstone of most self-created local networks is the incorrect connection of computers via twisted pair cable. Check that the cable is not “crushed” by the sofa or broken by the interior door, otherwise, or may occur.

How to set up a network connection in windows xp?

To create a local network connection:

1. On your Windows XP, go to the “Network Neighborhood” section;

2. On the left side of the menu, from the list of possible tasks, select the “Display network connections” sub-item.

This will allow you to determine which networks are currently active or simply disabled.

3. Select the local network connection shortcut here, right-click on it and select the “Properties” menu item.

4. In the “General” tab at the end of the list there is a column “Internet Protocol TCP/IP” - double-click on this line to go to the menu for adjusting the IP address parameters.

Here enter the following parameters:

If the local network connection shortcut is inactive, then right-click on it and turn it on network connection.

This completes the setup of the windows xp windows xp local network on the first computer.

5. On the second and subsequent computers (when creating a network connection via a switch), the network card is configured in the same way.

Please note that the IP address of each network computer must be unique. So, if you installed 192.168.1.1 on the first PC, then on the second you can enter, for example, 192.168.1.2.

The correctness of the Windows xp network connection settings can be checked using the Ping utility launched on the command line, as we described in the article: “”


This parameter is adjusted through the “Control Panel” in the “System” tab. Next, go to the “Computer name” column and set the desired value. Each computer must have a serial name: for example, comp 1, comp 2, comp 3, etc. Do not forget to title the name of the entire functioning working group - this will be required for the smooth exchange of information between functional units.

Setting up a wifi (Wi-Fi) connection in Windows XP is a little more complicated than in Windows 7. WiFi connection can be set up in literally a minute and this article will describe the setup process step by step with illustrations.

Important! Windows with different service packs support different security protocols! Windows XP SP2 does not support the WPA2 security protocol! Only the first WPA. Thus, if there is a connection problem, you need to look Windows version XP, as well as the security protocol that the access point uses.

Similar articles for other operating systems:

Setting up WiFi in Windows XP

Setting up a WiFi connection in Windows XP is quite easy. In the tray, on the "Wireless Network" icon, you need to right-click and then, in the menu, select the command "View available wireless networks":

The same can be done if you open Windows Explorer, then in Explorer sequentially open “My Computer - Control Panel - Network Connections”:

The same can be done if you open the menu "Start - Settings - Network Connections":

After this, a window will open in which you need to select the desired access point and then click the “Connect” button:

After this, a window will open in which you need to enter the password for the access point. Unlike Windows 7, where you can see the password symbols, here control of the correctness of the password is possible only at the level of comparing two attempts. Then in this window you must enter the password twice:

Then you need to wait:

And finally the connection is established:

Manually setting up a wireless WiFi connection

If you need to change the WiFi connection settings, you can do this by opening the properties of this connection:

How to use wifi

Using wifi is very easy. Once you have created a connection, you can turn it on and off via the network icon in the tray.

However, you need to understand that the ability to use wifi is highly dependent on external factors. Because the radio signal is affected by the external environment. Various obstacles such as walls, ceilings, floors weaken both the signal of the access point and the signal of the client device. Windows shows the signal strength from the access point in “sticks”. The pictures at the beginning of the article show the signal level of one or two short sticks. This is a very weak signal. With such a signal, you most likely will not be able to use the Internet.

There are programs that show the signal level in numbers - dBm, for example 60 dBm or 40 dBm. The higher the number, the weaker the signal - a good signal is a number less than 50 dBm. However, you need to understand that the accuracy of such numbers varies depending on the adapter and the driver of this adapter. Under the same conditions, one adapter may show, for example, XP1 dBm, and another adapter 82 dBm.

In addition to passive barriers, the quality of wifi signal transmission can be negatively affected by sources of electromagnetic radiation. So, even if you have the best wifi adapter installed on your laptop, this does not mean that you will always be able to use the Internet via wifi.

In situations with a poor signal, using an adapter with an external antenna can help. For example, the TP-Link TL-WNXP22N/C USB wifi adapter is equipped with an external antenna. Moreover, it is removable and, if necessary, can be replaced with another one with a higher gain.

What benefits does having an external antenna provide? Continuing the same example - under equal conditions - the same access point, the same time and place of connection, the presence of passive barriers between the access point and the client - as a result, a weak signal in both directions:

  • The internal “native” wifi adapter of the laptop connects to the access point, but practically does not provide the ability to use the Internet due to low speed and frequent interruptions.
  • TP-Link TL-WNXP22NC with its own antenna provides a stable Internet connection at a good speed.

If wifi does not work on Windows XP

If your computer does not have a "Wireless Network Connection" the reason may be as follows:

  • You have Windows XP SP2, and the access point is configured for the WPA2 security protocol. You need to either install SP3 or reconfigure the access point to WPA.
  • There is no wifi adapter on your computer at all. You can find this out through Device Manager. There should be a wireless network card in the list of devices.
  • On your computer wifi There is an adapter but it is disabled. For example, many laptops have buttons to turn off the wifi adapter. This can be a separate button or one of the F buttons in combination with the Fn button. If the wifi adapter is built into the motherboard, it can be disabled in the BIOS.
  • There is an adapter, but no drivers are installed for it, in this case it will be in the list of devices as an unidentified device.
  • There is an adapter, but it is disabled by software.

If "Wireless Network Connection" is present, it shows a list of networks, but fails to connect to the desired network, then the reason could be that:

  • The signal between your adapter and the access point is too weak. Long distances, thick walls, etc. Moreover, the signal level of the access point may be decent, but the signal from your adapter does not reach the access point. Because the adapter signal is generally weaker than the access point signal. Especially if the adapter is built-in, such as in a laptop.
  • You entered the wrong password. This is especially true for Windws XP because the password characters cannot be seen there.

If the connection to the access point is established, but the Internet does not work, then the reasons may be:

  • Wifi router (access point) is not connected to the Internet. For example, a technical failure at the provider, or a lack of funds in your account with the provider.
  • Technical failure in the operation of the provider's DNS servers.

Home WiFi networks

WiFi Security

Since when using wifi, all information is transmitted via radio waves, this makes wifi networks much more vulnerable compared to wired networks. The fact is that radio signals sent by the access point (wifi router) and devices that are connected to the access point are available for interception by any similar device that is within the “hearing” radius of the access point or from the client of this access point. That is, intercepting network traffic becomes very simple, affordable and invisible. And intercepting network traffic allows you to collect the information necessary to attack a wifi network. As there are more and more access points, wifi increases and so does the number of people who want to “hack” the wifi network.

The most common motivation for hacking wifi hotspots is to connect to the Internet via wifi for free. A fairly common picture today is that you have a wifi router installed in your apartment and not only your devices are connected to it, but also the computer of one of your neighbors. You pay for the Internet, and your tech-savvy neighbor gets the Internet for free.

But "theft" The Internet is not the only reason why it is "hacked" wifi networks. The fact is that if an attacker gains access to your access point, through it he can gain access to all devices that are connected to your wifi router. And this gives him the opportunity to steal your personal data. For example, passwords to mail, to online banking, your documents - in one word, to everything you own.

Therefore, you need to use wifi with caution. Here are a few rules to follow.

Do not connect to open public wifi networks through a laptop on which you store valuable information. And if you need access to the Internet via open networks wifi, then use a firewall and antivirus on your laptop. It’s even better if you install two on your laptop operating systems. One main one, in which all your valuable information will be stored. And the other is empty, only for accessing the Internet through open wifi networks.

If you use a wifi router at home or in the office, you must configure the wifi router correctly:

  • Use WPA2 security type.
  • The password for protection should be long - preferably 50 - 60 characters, and should consist of an arbitrary set of characters. Password marina1234 very bad - it will be hacked in a few minutes. Password nvysue5XPk-sjehr)

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