How to Set Up a Wireless Network in Windows Vista

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By Jennifer Claerr
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Set Up a Wireless Network in Windows Vista

Setting up a wireless network in Windows Vista is fairly simple. However, if you're accustomed to Windows XP, you may feel a bit lost. The Wireless and regular Network Setup Wizards are absent in Windows Vista, and have been replaced by the Network and Sharing Center. While setting up a wireless network is quicker and easier in some ways than in previous Windows operating systems, it can be frustrating at times. However, if you know which settings to change, you can get the wireless network configuration you desire.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Install all your network equipment. Turn on each computer that will be included in your wireless network. In Windows Vista, click the "Start" button then click "Connect to." Select your wireless network name from the list of available networks. Click "Connect." Enter your passkey or shared key in the field provided. Ensure that you are connected to the wireless network before continuing.
Step 2

Click the Vista "Start" button, then select "Network." Click "Network and Sharing Center." Click the "Customize" link beside your network name. Select "Private" and click "Next" and "Close." Using the "Private" option will provide the greatest security for your wireless network and will facilitate file and media sharing.
Step 3

Click the down arrows next to each item under "Sharing and Discovery" to expose the Windows Vista wireless networking options. Turn "Network Discovery" on. Turn "File Sharing" on if you wish to access the files on your computers from other computers on your wireless network. Also turn on "Public Folder Sharing" if you have chosen the file sharing option. Turn on "Printer Sharing" if you have a printer that can be shared on a wireless network.
Step 4

Decide whether you want to use password protected sharing. Turn it off if your wireless router uses a security encryption such as WEP or WPA. You must turn off password protected sharing to share files on other computers on your wireless network. Turn it on only if you cannot configure security on your router. If you enable password protected sharing, only users with a user account on the current computer can access files on the computer.
Step 5

Turn on "Media Sharing" if you plan to share files such as pictures, video and music with other users of this or other computers on your wireless network. Click the "Change" button. Check the box beside "Share my media to." Select the users that you would like to allow in the window below. Click "Allow." Click "OK."
Step 6

Click the Vista "Start" button and click "Computer." Double-click your system hard drive. Double-click "Users." Select a folder that you would like to share. Right-click the folder and click "Share." Check the box beside "Share this folder." If the check box is disabled, click "Advanced Sharing" and select "Share this folder." Click "OK." For some folders, you may need to select the users to share the folder with and click the "Share" button. Repeat this for each folder you would like to share, such as "Documents," "Pictures," "Downloads" and "Videos."
Step 7

Repeat these steps on each other computer on your network that is running Windows Vista. If you have computers on your wireless network that are running Windows XP, run the Network Setup Wizard and the Wireless Network Setup Wizard on each computer. Also, on each Windows XP computer, right-click "My Computer" and select "Properties." Click the "Computer Name" tab. Click "Change." Change the computer name to "WORKGROUP" and click "OK." Restart the computer when prompted.