How Can I Increase My Laptop Wi-Fi Range?
There are two methods to help to answer this question:
Use a program which repeats the signal. This boosts the Wi-Fi signal to broaden the overall network reach, similar to how Wi-Fi extenders work, but without needing real Wi-Fi range extending hardware. If your house is too big for one router to cover it effectively, this technique should help. Windows’ built-in Mobile hotspot feature builds an on-demand Wi-Fi hotspot, complete with a different SSID and password than the primary network. This is useful in a situation where you’re paying for a single connection for your laptop (like in a hotel or airplane), but you want to extend the Wi-Fi capabilities to your phone. Or, if guests want to use your home internet, but you don’t want to share your real Wi-Fi details.
Repeat the Signal
We’ll use a program called MyPublicWiFi to show this is done, but there are others that work similarly, like Connectify with Hotspot MAX.
Share Internet Access
Windows 11 and Windows 10 make building a Wi-Fi hotspot incredibly easy. The option is in the Mobile hotspot area of Settings.
Can I Use My Laptop as a Wi-Fi Bridge?
A Wi-Fi bridge is handy in specific circumstances, like if the devices that will use the shared connection will need to access other devices on the network. The alternative, without a bridged network, isn’t ideal if, for example, you have a Roku plugged in to your TV—if the Roku is on the bridged network, but your remote/phone isn’t, then the two won’t be able to communicate with each other. It’s these details other devices will need to know when they connect to the network. One program popular for such a scenario is Connectify Hotspot. You need to pay for Hotspot MAX to use Bridging Mode. The MyPublicWiFi program, mentioned above, works as well. Use the Multifunctional Hotspot tab to find the bridging option, and then choose the network adapters to be used to make the bridged connection.
