Starting with Windows 7, it became possible to launch a virtual access point. You can call this function "Virtual Router", as it allows you to distribute the Internet over Wi-Fi without a router (separate device). That is, Windows uses a Wi-Fi adapter not only to connect to wireless networks, but also to distribute Wi-Fi to other devices. You can start the access point with special commands through the command line. In Windows 8 and Windows 10, this function also works, but there was also a "Mobile Hotspot" (only a dozen). Where you do not need to enter commands, etc., you just need to specify the network name, password and you're done.
Despite the fact that the distribution of Wi-Fi can be configured using standard Windows tools, many for some reason use third-party programs. Which are usually just a shell. Virtual Router Plus is one such program. A very simple and free program that can be downloaded from the Internet without any problems. I understand that the developers (Runxia Electronics) have abandoned Virtual Router Plus and are not updating it. For some reason, the website of the program does not work. And on the Internet you can find many different versions of this program. There is Virtual Router Plus in Russian. But the translation is not very good there. In principle, it is not needed. There are only two fields, one dropdown menu and one button. There is another free and very similar program called Virtual Router Manager from another developer (Chris Pietschmann). You can download Virtual Router Manager and use it. But it does not seem to be updated either.
In this article, I will show you how to download Virtual Router Plus (I will give a link to the version that I will use myself), install it, start a virtual access point and manage Wi-Fi distribution. But before that, I recommend that you try to configure the access point in Windows using standard means. Here are the detailed instructions:
- Configuring Wi-Fi Sharing in Windows 7 Using the Command Prompt
- Launching a virtual hotspot in Windows 10 using the command line
- Set up Mobile Hotspot in Windows 10
You can find more articles on this topic in this section: https://help-wifi.com/category/nastrojka-virtualnoj-wi-fi-seti/
When you cannot start the Wi-Fi distribution using the command line, or through the "Mobile Hotspot", then the Virtual Router program is unlikely to work. Since there are problems with the adapter itself, drivers, settings, etc. And the program uses a standard function that is built into Windows.
I still advise you not to use third-party programs, but to try to configure everything according to the instructions, links to which I left above.
Download Virtual Router Plus and install it on your computer
be careful, because along with the program you can download a virus, or some kind of malware. You do everything at your own peril and risk.
You can download Virtual Router Plus on one of the sites on the Internet. I used this (download link) version. I checked it with an antivirus, everything seemed to be clean. During installation and configuration, I did not notice any problems, the antivirus did not swear.
Download the archive, open it and run the filevirtualrouterplussetup.exe... We carry out the installation (everything is simple there) and launch the program with a shortcut on the desktop. If you do not uncheck the box in the last window of the installation wizard, it will start automatically.
The installation process is very simple. Let's move on to setting up.
Configuring Virtual Router Plus for Wi-Fi distribution
The program is very simple. You only need to specify the name of the Wi-Fi network that our laptop or PC will distribute, set a password, and select an Internet connection from the list, to which the Internet will be shared.
- Network name (SSID) - write any name here in English letters. You can use numbers. You can leave the default name.
- Password - this password will need to be entered on devices to connect to the Wi-Fi network that you will distribute through Virtual Router Plus. Minimum 8 characters. I recommend using only English letters and numbers.
- General connection - in the drop-down menu you need to select the connection through which your computer is connected to the Internet. It doesn't have to be an Ethernet connection.
To start the distribution of the Internet, click on the "Launch virtual router plus" button.
The popular error "Unable to start virtual router plus" may appear during this configuration step. I wrote about the possible causes and solutions in the article: Virtual Router Plus: Unable to start virtual router plus.
If everything is Ok, then the "Virtual Router" program will hide in the tray and a notification will appear that the distribution has been successfully launched (with an unrealistically bad translation).
After that, open the list of available Wi-Fi networks on our device (for which we are distributing the Internet), find there a network with the name that was set in the program and connect.
Any device can be connected to this virtual router: tablets and smartphones on Android or iOS, laptops and computers on Windows, TVs, game consoles, etc.
To stop the distribution, you need to open the Virtual Router Plus program (by clicking on the icon in the tray) and click on the "Stop virtual router Plus" button.
If on the computer go to "Network Connections" (Win + R - ncpa.cpl command) when the distribution is running, we will see there "Local Area Connection * 53" (you may have a different number) and open shared access in the properties internet connection. Everything that we do manually when we launch a virtual Wi-Fi network in Windows via the command line.
In my case, on Windows 10, Virtual Router Plus works perfectly. But I often see comments that in Windows 10 the virtual Wi-Fi network function via the command line does not work. Perhaps this is due to the emergence of the "Mobile Hotspot" function. But here it does not work with a high speed internet connection (PPPoE).
Another point: if you have the Internet via a mobile operator's modem and you can't distribute the Internet, then most likely your operator is blocking the distribution (or you need to connect this feature as a separate service, for a fee). In order not to torment yourself and your computer - call support and specify this information at your rate.
Conclusions
Virtual Router Plus is running. Yes, it is a little easier to powerfully configure everything than through the command line. Many do not understand how to set the sharing settings correctly, do something wrong, and as a result, the devices do not connect to the Wi-Fi network that the laptop distributes, or they connect, but there is no Internet access.
But this program is not updated, the developer site does not work, and by downloading it on other sites, you can infect your computer with a virus or malware. This should not be forgotten.
If you have Windows 10, try setting up a Mobile Hotspot. In the same Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7, you can share Wi-Fi using commands. All the necessary instructions are at the beginning of the article. You won't be able to configure it through the command line, or this process will seem too complicated and time-consuming to you - download Virtual Router Plus and follow the instructions.
It is not the only program to accomplish these tasks. There is also Switch Virtual Router, for example. Which I already talked about: setting up Wi-Fi distribution in Windows 10 using the Switch Virtual Router program. Perhaps you will like this program better.
