Home / server / Questions / 201208
Accepted
RedFilter
Asked: 2010-11-13 07:47:14 +0800 CST

How can I enable WPA2 on Windows 7 when sharing an ethernet connection over wireless?

  • 772

I have shared my ethernet connection over wireless in Windows 7 using the method outlined in the accepted answer here: Windows 7 - wireless connection sharing.

My wireless card is a TP-Link TL-WN821N, which, according to the specs, supports WPA2.

When I am in the Setup an Ad Hoc Network configuration screen, I only have the option of WEP under Security Type:

Hosted by imgur.com

How can I enable WPA2 as an option? I am using the latest driver, v3.5.0.12 dated 11/26/2009.

networking security wifi windows-7 wpa

2 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    Windows 7 supports a Soft AP mode that can be used to create a more secure sharing environment as it supports WPA2\AES. This works with most WLAN Nics but there may be issues with some older kit.

    The steps you need to follow are:

    1: Open up an administrator command prompt.

    2: Create the SoftAP config:

    netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow SSID=PeerWithWPA2 key=WPA2Password keyusage=persistent

    3: You will now need to modify your ICS settings to allow sharing from your main internet adapter to this new network. You manage this from the properties->sharing tab of the network adapter that is your primary internet connection. This can be the same WLAN adapter that will be used for the Soft AP.

    4: Start the SoftAP

    netsh wlan start hostednetwork

    5: Connect to this from your other systems just as you would connect to any AP that provides a WPA2 secured SSID

    There is a full guide with screenshots available here.

    • 3

  2. Ad-hoc cannot use WPA2, only WEP. The support for your card with WPA2, is for when it is connecting to an Infrastructure type wireless network.

    • 0