DIY Networks - Configuring a Wireless Connection on Windows 7

How to Connect to a Wireless Network with Windows 7

Whether you have just configured your access point or router or your intention is to connect to an existing wireless network it only takes a few easy steps to join a wireless network and start using its resources. If you need to specify a fixed IP address for your wireless connection and are already connected to a wireless network you may wish to skip to Page Two .

Windows 7 has a network icon down by the time that you can use to join your wireless network, you need not go to the Network and Sharing Centre or Network Connections at all. Interestingly, if you double click on your wireless adapter in Network Connections while you are not connected to a wireless network the exact same box pops up off the task bar anyway. So lets take the easy way out and click directly on the Networks icon near the time on your task bar. It looks like a computer monitor and a single click is all that is required. Although you cant edit the TCP/IP properties of any of your connections from this screen it still can be very useful for viewing the status of any of your network connections and is the most direct way to join a wireless network in Windows 7. The computer will automatically do a scan for nearby wireless networks and will display any wireless networks it detects within range. To join a wireless network click on it once.

When you click on the wireless network you wish to join a connect button will appear and there will also be a box you can place a tick into that tells your computer to Connect Automatically whenever the wireless network is in range. If you intend to use this wireless network all the time it is wise to place a tick into this box. Click on the connect button that has appeared underneath the SSID or network name of the wireless network you wish to join.

The computer will then attempt to connect to the Wireless network and if it sucessfully has detected your encryption type it will prompt you for the Security Key for the Wireless Network. The Security Key is also known as a Passphrase and every computer or device that intends to connect to the wireless network will need to supply the correct network key before the access point you are connecting to will permit the client to connect. Type the Security Key into the dialogue box and click OK. If you do not know it you will need to contact the administrator of the network.

The computer will then provide the network key to the access point and if it is correct it will then be permitted to join the wireless network. At this point if the PC is set to obtain an IP address automatically it will recieve an IP address from the DHCP server on the network if it has one. If there is no DHCP server running on the network you may have to manually specify one.

If the attempt to connect to the wireless network is successful you will be able to click on the network icon on the taskbar near the time and you will see the word connected next to the network name or SSID of the wireless network. You should be able to use the networks resources successfully at this point.

Disconnecting and Connecting From A Wireless Network with Windows 7

There are circumstances where you may be in range of your wireless network but would prefer not to be connected to it. Disconnecting from the network and reconnecting again is an easy thing to accomplish on Windows 7. Click on the network icon near the time on the bottom right hand corner of your screen and click on your wireless network. If you are currently connected to the network a disconnect button will appear, simply click on it and your PC will disconnect from the wireless network. If you are disconnected from the wireless network a connect button will be present instead of a disconnect button, if you selected connect automatically when you first joined the wireless network all of the settings will be saved and you will not be prompted to type in the network key. Click the connect button to rejoin the wireless network.