How to Connect a Computer to the Internet Via a Windows Mobile Device

USB is a popular option for connecting your Windows Mobile device to a computer when using the Internet Sharing application.

The Internet Sharing application included on Windows Mobile devices makes it easy to connect a computer to the Internet using the mobile data connection on a Windows Mobile device. The Internet Sharing application allows the mobile Internet connection to be shared via USB or a Bluetooth personal area network (PAN). While the USB option requires a cable, it requires no other configuration. On the other hand, a Bluetooth PAN requires the computer and Windows Mobile device to be paired prior to use.

Things You'll Need

• Mobile data connection
• USB cable or Bluetooth PAN
• PC (with Bluetooth capability for Bluetooth PAN)

Instructions

1. Connect the Windows Mobile device to the computer. If you are using a USB cable, insert one end of the cable on your Windows Mobile smart phone while inserting the other end to an available USB port on your computer. It may take a few seconds for drivers specific to your Windows Mobile device to be installed.

   If you are connecting via Bluetooth, make sure that the Bluetooth radio on your Windows Mobile device is turned on; this is done in the Settings menu. Next, start a search for Bluetooth devices on your PC by right-clicking the Bluetooth icon in your Taskbar, on the lower right corner of the screen.

2. Launch Internet Sharing. The Internet Sharing application on your Windows Mobile device is located in the Start menu. Press the "Start" soft key from your home screen and find Internet Sharing. When the program is launched, you will see a simple interface with three or four options, depending on your phone's configuration.

3. Configure the connection. In Internet Sharing on your Windows Mobile device, choose whether you want to make the connection via USB or Bluetooth.

4. Start the sharing connection. Once you have selected how you want to share the connection, press the "Connect" soft key on your Windows Mobile device. If you have a touchscreen Windows Mobile device, you may press the "Connect" key on the screen.

5. Join the Bluetooth PAN. If you are connecting via USB, right-click on the Bluetooth icon in your Taskbar and select the option to "Connect to a PAN." Depending on your version of Windows, the option's title may differ slightly. When the list of available PAN connections loads, select your phone from the list. In most cases, your phone will be the only PAN connection within a close enough range to be included on the list.

6. End the connection. When you no longer need the Internet connection shared from a Windows Mobile device to your computer, simply press the "Disconnect" soft key in the Internet Sharing program on Windows Mobile.

References

• Microsoft: Connect Your Phone to Your Laptop Using Bluetooth and Turn Your Phone into a Wireless Modem
• Microsoft: Connect Your Smartphone to Your Laptop using Bluetooth