How to Connect to a Wireless Network in Windows 7 GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > Windows

How to Connect to a Wireless Network in Windows 7

Get your computer on a Wi-Fi network

By Gilberto Perera Gilberto Perera Writer Nova Southeastern University Florida International University Miami Dade College Former Lifewire writer Gilberto J. Perera is a PMP and Six Sigma professional with more than 15 years of technology education experience and editor-in-chief of GilsMethod.com. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 14, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide

What to Know

Easiest: select Wireless Networking > network name > Connect.For a secure network, enter the network password at the prompt. This article explains how to connect to wireless networks and the necessary configuration steps in Windows 7. As of January 2020, Microsoft no longer supports Windows 7. We recommend upgrading to Windows 10 to continue receiving security updates and technical support.

Choosing and Connecting to a Network

Here's how to find and connect to a wireless network. To view a list of available wireless networks, select the Wireless Networking icon in the Notification area on the left side of the Taskbar. Select the desired network name and choose Connect. If the network you are trying to connect to is unsecured (meaning that a password is not required), you should be able to access the internet and other network resources right away. If the network is secured, continue to the steps below. If the network you are trying to connect to is not listed, the router may not be broadcasting the network's SSID (wireless network's name). Refer to your router's documentation to determine the steps necessary to enable SSID broadcasting. Avoid public networks that are not encrypted whenever possible. On a public unencrypted network, someone can hijack your connection and see what you are transferring over the airwaves.

Connecting to a Secured Network

Secured networks require authentication. If you are connecting to a secured wireless network, you have two options to authenticate: You can enter the required password or use the Secure Easy Setup button on the router if it supports that method. When prompted, enter the network password. To view the characters in the text field, clear the Hide Characters checkbox. This is especially useful if the password is long and complex. Alternatively, when prompted to enter the password, walk over to the router and press the Secure Easy Setup button on the router. After a couple of seconds, the computer should connect to the wireless network. If Secure Easy Setup doesn't work, try again. If it's still not working, the feature might be disabled on your router. Consult the router's instruction manual to enable and configure the feature. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Connect a Router to the Internet How to Fix Wi-Fi Authentication Problems on Android Connecting a PC to a Wireless Home Network Connect to a Wireless Network on Windows Linksys E1000 Default Password Share an Internet Connection in Windows What to Do When Windows 11 Can't Connect to a Network How to Connect Google Home to Wi-Fi How to Encrypt Your Wireless Network How to Connect Chromecast to Hotel Wi-Fi How to Connect to Your Home Router as an Administrator How to Kick People off Your Wi-Fi How to Find a Wi-Fi Password on an iPhone How to Set Up a Router Fixing an iPad That Won't Connect to Wi-Fi How to Use Chromecast Without Wi-Fi Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies