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1.0
- License
- buy Download
- Platform
- Windows
PC-Based Software to Support Various WLAN Drivers
195 votes- PROS: WLan Driver 802.11n Rel. 4.80.28.7.zip does not need much memory., Most older Windows operating systems are supported.
- CONS: Updates have not taken place in some time., Newer versions of Windows will require an updated driver bundle.
6.4.0
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Driver Booster Free
1275 votes- PROS: Simplifies updating your drivers (2 clicks), Updates are done quickly, Schedules periodic scans and launches with Windows, Creates automatic restore points, Automatic background driver installation op, Free, Developer offers a pro version for which you can buy a license key
- CONS: Doesn’t give information about the drivers that are installed
3.0.64
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Turn Your Computer into a Wireless Hotspot For Free
2088 votes- PROS: Whitelist/blacklist, Other useful options, Easy to use
- CONS: Weak security
3.6.2
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
A Free Tool to Make Your Laptop a WiFi Hotspot
Adjust brightness, exposure, color, sharpness, and other different settings like color tone, curve, etc. All the options are cleanly organized, it has a variety of advanced tools and options for making different adjustments to your images. Download adobe lightroom cc free.
493 votes- PROS: Free – zero trials or limitations, Available for both Windows and Mac
- CONS: Connection stability could be an issue at times, Not a practical WiFi-extending solution
3.0.2.2
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Turn Your Computer Into a Router
373 votes- PROS: Turn your computer into a router, Safe and secure
- CONS: Not available through official Windows app store, Not available on Macs
4.1.9.2
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
A free WiFi hotspot software that’s easy to use
168 votes- PROS: Installing the program is easy, Minimalist interface, Performs its function well, Good for beginners
- CONS: Does not offer a lot of security options, Customization is limited, Localization is not polished, Automatically minimizes to the tray
3.00
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
- Android
- Mac
Use your Android phone as a modem
221 votes- PROS: Quick and simple to set up, Can be set to auto-connect when USB is plugged
- CONS: Use may violate the terms of your phone contract
14.3.0
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Free drivers for Intel WiFi Link 5100 PROSet/Wireless technology
30 votes- PROS: Useful for people using old hardware , Free and relatively easy to install , Connect without using an Ethernet cable , May improve Wi-Fi speed on Vista devices
- CONS: Out-dated for non-Vista users , Most people will not need these drivers , It is unclear which other platforms may use these drivers , Need to restart system before it connects
4.0.110
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
- Mac
Enjoy Streamlined Wireless Internet Access While Out and About
675 votes- PROS: Compatible with multiple locations and network providers., An intuitive and easy-to-operate user interface.
- CONS: The official website was apparently last updated as far back as 2009., This system seems to only work for those who are travelling through or living in the United States.
varies-with-device
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- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Install the latest driver for HP compaq 420 wifi
11 votes2.0.1013
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- buy Download
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- Windows
A trial version Communication program for Windows
114 votesvaries-with-device
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Install the latest driver for HP probook 4330s wifi
3 votesvaries-with-device
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Install the latest driver for compaq presario cq42 wifi driver for windows 7 32 bit
4 votesvaries-with-device
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Install the latest driver for HP envy dv6 wifi
2 votesvaries-with-device
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Install the latest driver for HP probook 4320s wifi
No votes yet15.6.2000
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Download Intel® My WiFi Dashboard Software
1 voteVaries with device
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Connect to free Wifi in your area
138 votes- PROS: Find free Wifi, User-shared password database
- CONS: Passwords may change, Some free wifi requires registration
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# | Name | Version | Votes | Rating | Platform |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mars WiFi - Free WiFi HotSpot | 3.0.2.2 | 373 | 8 | Windows |
2 | Free WiFi Hotspot | 3.6.2 | 493 | 7.8 | Windows |
3 | My WIFI Router | 3.0.64 | 2088 | 7.4 | Windows |
4 | Driver Booster Free | 6.4.0 | 1275 | 7.3 | Windows |
5 | Easy WiFi | 4.0.110 | 675 | 6.5 | Windows,Mac |
If your laptop’s internal Wi-Fi adapter is dead, or just doesn’t have enough power to get the kind of speed you were hoping for, you might want to look into installing a third-party adapter that can boost the signal. Here’s what you need to know.
RELATED:How to Choose a USB Wi-Fi Adapter for Your Laptop
This guide assumes you’ve already picked out an adapter and bought it–so check out our buying guide before coming here to get everything up and running.
If Windows Has the Drivers
In most cases, Wi-Fi adapters are simply plug-and-play in Windows 10. Windows contains minimal drivers for many devices so you can get online without downloading the driver separately. In this example we’ll be installing a TP-Link Archer T2UH AC600 USB networking adapter, which Windows 10 already has a driver for.
When you insert your USB and once you’re online you can download the updated drivers either from the manufacturer’s website, or through the Windows Device Manager, as we’ll explain in the next section.
Once Windows 10 installs the drivers, one of either two things will happen: If you have a functioning wireless adapter already, Windows 10 will automatically set the new adapter to “Wi-Fi 2” as the secondary backup network. To switch from one network to the next, you can do so by first clicking the Wi-Fi icon from your taskbar, then choosing Wi-Fi 2 from the drop-down menu at the top of the wireless network list.
Once this is selected, simply re-connect to the network you were previously on, and you’re done.
If you don’t have a separate wireless networking device installed, Windows will automatically treat the USB adapter as the primary adapter, and you can connect to a wireless network the same as you would otherwise.
If Windows Doesn’t Have the Drivers
RELATED:How to Turn Your Windows PC Into a Wi-Fi Hotspot
Although it’s rarer in Windows 10 than it was in previous versions, there are still a few instances where the operating system may not have the drivers ready for your adapter by default. If this happens to you, there are two methods you can use to get them properly installed.
Use the Included Driver CD
The first and most obvious solution in this scenario is to use the driver CD that the wireless adapter was shipped with.
Almost all wireless adapters released within the past ten years will come with an automatic setup on the install disc. Once you put the CD in, it will run a program that both installs the drivers for the adapter, as well as giving you the the option to install a third-party wireless tool to help you search for networks.
In general, it’s a good idea to let Windows take care of this task. Third-party software that tries to do something Windows can handle on its own will just weigh your system down.
Download the Drivers on a Separate Computer
If you’ve lost the original driver CD the adapter came with or your laptop doesn’t contain an optical drive to install it, there’s one more workaround you can try.
Optimally, your laptop will already come with a functioning internal wireless adapter that you can use to go online and find the required drivers. If not, you can use a separate computer to download the drivers. To do this, visit the manufacturer’s website, go to their Support or Drivers page, and find the most recent package that contains the necessary drivers.
Download the driver and transfer the file onto a USB flash drive, and then plug that flash drive into the laptop you want the adapter installed on. Drag the files from the flash drive to a local folder on the laptop (we put it in our Documents under a folder called “My Wireless Driver”). If they’re in a compressed file, be sure to extract it first.
Open up the Windows Device Manager by right-clicking your Start menu, and selecting it from the following menu:
Once here, find the name of your adapter listed underneath the “Network Adapters” section. Right-click on it, and select “Update Driver Software” from the following drop-down menu.
This will take you to the Driver Update wizard. From the screen below, choose the option to “Browse my computer for driver software”.
Once here, hit the Browse button, and point the wizard to the folder where you copied the drivers from your flash drive.
Windows 10 will install the drivers on its own from here, and once completed, your wireless adapter will automatically begin looking for wireless networks to connect to in your immediate vicinity.
Not all wireless adapters are created alike, and if you want to beef up the download speeds on your laptop or just need a replacement for a faulty internal card, an external Wi-Fi adapter can get the job done just fine.
Image Credits: TP-Link
If your laptop’s internal Wi-Fi adapter is dead, or just doesn’t have enough power to get the kind of speed you were hoping for, you might want to look into installing a third-party adapter that can boost the signal. Here’s what you need to know.
RELATED:How to Choose a USB Wi-Fi Adapter for Your Laptop
Download Wireless Network Adapter For Windows 10 Hp
This guide assumes you’ve already picked out an adapter and bought it–so check out our buying guide before coming here to get everything up and running. Cool free fonts without downloading.
If Windows Has the Drivers
In most cases, Wi-Fi adapters are simply plug-and-play in Windows 10. Windows contains minimal drivers for many devices so you can get online without downloading the driver separately. In this example we’ll be installing a TP-Link Archer T2UH AC600 USB networking adapter, which Windows 10 already has a driver for.
When you insert your USB and once you’re online you can download the updated drivers either from the manufacturer’s website, or through the Windows Device Manager, as we’ll explain in the next section.
Once Windows 10 installs the drivers, one of either two things will happen: If you have a functioning wireless adapter already, Windows 10 will automatically set the new adapter to “Wi-Fi 2” as the secondary backup network. To switch from one network to the next, you can do so by first clicking the Wi-Fi icon from your taskbar, then choosing Wi-Fi 2 from the drop-down menu at the top of the wireless network list.
Once this is selected, simply re-connect to the network you were previously on, and you’re done.
If you don’t have a separate wireless networking device installed, Windows will automatically treat the USB adapter as the primary adapter, and you can connect to a wireless network the same as you would otherwise.
If Windows Doesn’t Have the Drivers
RELATED:How to Turn Your Windows PC Into a Wi-Fi Hotspot
Although it’s rarer in Windows 10 than it was in previous versions, there are still a few instances where the operating system may not have the drivers ready for your adapter by default. If this happens to you, there are two methods you can use to get them properly installed.
Use the Included Driver CD
The first and most obvious solution in this scenario is to use the driver CD that the wireless adapter was shipped with.
Almost all wireless adapters released within the past ten years will come with an automatic setup on the install disc. Once you put the CD in, it will run a program that both installs the drivers for the adapter, as well as giving you the the option to install a third-party wireless tool to help you search for networks.
In general, it’s a good idea to let Windows take care of this task. Third-party software that tries to do something Windows can handle on its own will just weigh your system down.
Download the Drivers on a Separate Computer
If you’ve lost the original driver CD the adapter came with or your laptop doesn’t contain an optical drive to install it, there’s one more workaround you can try.
Optimally, your laptop will already come with a functioning internal wireless adapter that you can use to go online and find the required drivers. If not, you can use a separate computer to download the drivers. To do this, visit the manufacturer’s website, go to their Support or Drivers page, and find the most recent package that contains the necessary drivers.
Download the driver and transfer the file onto a USB flash drive, and then plug that flash drive into the laptop you want the adapter installed on. Drag the files from the flash drive to a local folder on the laptop (we put it in our Documents under a folder called “My Wireless Driver”). If they’re in a compressed file, be sure to extract it first.
Open up the Windows Device Manager by right-clicking your Start menu, and selecting it from the following menu:
Once here, find the name of your adapter listed underneath the “Network Adapters” section. Right-click on it, and select “Update Driver Software” from the following drop-down menu.
This will take you to the Driver Update wizard. From the screen below, choose the option to “Browse my computer for driver software”.
Once here, hit the Browse button, and point the wizard to the folder where you copied the drivers from your flash drive.
Windows 10 will install the drivers on its own from here, and once completed, your wireless adapter will automatically begin looking for wireless networks to connect to in your immediate vicinity.
Not all wireless adapters are created alike, and if you want to beef up the download speeds on your laptop or just need a replacement for a faulty internal card, an external Wi-Fi adapter can get the job done just fine.
Image Credits: TP-Link