How Can I Make My Wired Laptop Wireless?

Add wireless capabilities to an existing wired laptop.

With each newer generation of laptop computers, wireless networking is becoming more common. Nearly all new laptops sold today have wireless capabilities built in. To make a laptop that has only wired Ethernet capabilities able to participate on a wireless network, you must install a wireless network card. Adding a small USB wireless adapter is the easiest way to complete this task.

Instructions

1. Purchase a USB-based 802.11 wireless adapter. As of 2011, some of the available USB adapters are so small, they are barely noticeable when used with a laptop computer.

2. Do not connect the wireless adapter to a USB port yet. First, install the software that came with the adapter.

3. Insert the wireless adapter into a USB port when prompted. The hardware is recognized by the software and is automatically configured.

4. Click the wireless icon by the system clock and connect to the preferred local wireless network.

5. Enter the wireless network's password, if prompted. This is sometimes referred to as a WEP key.