10. Connecting to the Internet—at Home or Away
In this chapter, you find out how to connect to the Internet from your home network or at a public Wi-Fi hotspot.
Connecting to the Internet—and Your Home Network
Connecting to the Internet at a Public Wi-Fi Hotspot
Much of what you will use your new computer for is on the Internet. The Internet is a source of information, a conduit for shopping, banking, and other useful activities, a place to play games, and a tool for communicating with friends and family.
To get full use out of your new PC, you need to connect it to the Internet. You can connect to the Internet at home or away. All you need is access to a home network or, outside of your house, a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Connecting to the Internet—and Your Home Network
To get Internet in your home, you need to contract with an Internet service provider (ISP). You can typically get Internet service from your cable company or from your phone company. Prices vary depending on the speed of the Internet service provided, and whether you bundle it with other services (such as cable or phone).
Your ISP should set you up with a broadband modem that connects to the incoming cable or phone line. The modem takes the digital signals coming through the incoming line and converts them into a format that your computer can use.
In most cases, you connect your broadband modem to a wireless router. A router is a device that takes a single Internet signal and routes it to multiple devices; when you set up your router, following the manufacturer’s instructions, you create a wireless home network. You connect your computer (as well as your smartphone, tablet, and other wireless devices) wirelessly to your router via a technology called Wi-Fi.
Wireless Gateway
Instead of a separate modem and router, many ISPs supply a wireless gateway that combines those two devices in a single unit. This makes for easier connection and setup—you have one less cable to run and one less device to configure.
Connect to Your Home Network
After your modem and wireless router (or combined gateway) are set up, you’ve created a wireless home network. You can then connect your PC to your wireless router—and access the Internet.
In the notification area of the taskbar, click the Connections icon to display the Connections panel.
Click your wireless network; this expands the panel for this network.
Connections Icon
If no network is currently connected, the Connections icon should be labeled Not Connected—Connections Are Available.
To connect automatically to this network in the future, check the Connect Automatically box.
Click Connect.
Connect Automatically
When you’re connecting to your home network, it’s a good idea to enable the Connect Automatically feature. This lets your computer connect to your network without additional prompting or interaction on your part.
When prompted, enter the password (called the network security key) for your network. This password is provided with your network router, either printed on the router itself or in the router’s instructions, or it may be manually assigned.
Click Next.
Your computer is now connected to the network.
One-Button Connect
If the wireless router on your network supports “one-button wireless setup” (based on the Wi-Fi Protected Setup, or WPS, technology), you might be prompted to press the “connect” or WPS button on the router to connect. This is much faster than going through the process outlined here.
Access Other Computers on Your Network
Once your computer is connected to your home network, you can access the content on other computers on the same network.
Click the File Explorer icon on the taskbar to open File Explorer.
Click Network in the navigation pane. This displays all the computers and devices connected to your network.
Double-click the computer you want to access.
Windows displays the shared folders on the selected computer. Double-click a folder to view that folder’s content.
Sharing Content
You can access content only on other computers that have been configured as shareable—that is, the computer owner has enabled sharing for that particular folder or type of content.
Connecting to the Internet at a Public Wi-Fi Hotspot
The nice thing about the Internet is that it’s virtually everywhere. This means you can connect to the Internet even when you’re away from home. All you need to do is find a wireless connection, called a Wi-Fi hotspot. Fortunately, most coffeehouses, libraries, hotels, fast-food restaurants, and public spaces offer Wi-Fi hotspots—often for free.
Connect to a Wi-Fi Hotspot
When you’re near a Wi-Fi hotspot, your PC should automatically pick up the wireless signal. Just make sure your computer’s Wi-Fi adapter is turned on (it should be, by default), and then get ready to connect.
On the taskbar, click the Connections button to display the Connections pane and see a list of available wireless networks.
An open or public network does not have a lock next to the Wi-Fi icon. Click the network to which you want to connect.
This expands the section for that network; click Connect to connect to the selected hotspot.
If the hotspot has free public access, you can open your web browser and surf normally. If the hotspot requires a password, payment, or other logon procedure, Windows should automatically open your web browser and display the hotspot’s logon page. Enter the appropriate information or click the appropriate button to begin surfing.
