FAQ: Wireless networks

Here are answers to some common questions about wireless networks.

• What hardware does my PC need?

• What is wireless signal strength?

• Do I have to copy settings to other devices on my network?

What hardware does my PC need to be on a wireless network?

Your computer needs an internal or external wireless network adapter. To see if your computer has a wireless network adapter, do the following:

1. Open Network Connections by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Network and Internet, clicking Network and Sharing Center, and then clicking Manage network connections.

2. The adapters installed in your computer are listed.

Learn more: Setting up a home network

What is wireless signal strength?

In the list of available wireless networks, you'll see a symbol that shows the wireless signal strength for each network. The more bars, the stronger the signal. A strong signal (five bars) usually means that the wireless network is close or there is no interference. For best performance, connect to the wireless network with the strongest signal. However, if an unsecured network has a stronger signal than a security-enabled one, it's safer for your data if you connect to the security-enabled network (but you must be an authorized user of that network).

To improve the signal strength, you can move your computer closer to the wireless router or access point, or move the router or access point so it's not close to sources of interference such as brick walls or walls that contain metal support beams.

1. Open Connect to a Network by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Connect to.

Why do I need to copy wireless network settings to other PCs on my network?

The other computers and devices on your network need to know how to communicate with the wireless router so they can send and receive information on the network. Each computer or device needs settings such as the network name and the network security key so that it can communicate with the router.

When you add devices or computers to your network using the Set Up a Wireless Router or Access Point wizard, Windows provides step-by-step instructions for copying the appropriate settings to your computers.

1. Open Network Connections by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Network and Internet, and then clicking Network and Sharing Center.

2. In the left pane, click Set up a connection or network, and then click Set up a wireless router or access point.