---

Tip #4378 - Going Wireless with Vista

Printer Friendly Version | E-Mail This Tip

Like These Tips? Get 'Em Free In Your E-mail Everyday! E-mail Address:

Going Wireless with Vista

Using Windows Vista to connect a wireless network is much easier and simpler when you compare it with Windows XP. So much so that you can connect your Vista computer to a home wireless network or public network without hardly any trouble at all. Also, Vista is now capable of detecting a non-broadcasting wireless network (hidden SSID), so you're able to configure it as a preferred network. That feature is not supported in Windows XP. Let's check out all the differences now!

So, assuming you already have a wireless adapter and a driver installed on your computer, go to the Start menu and click on Connect To.

• First of all, you need to connect to the network window that appears. This window will show all the available connections, which are dial-up, VPN and wireless, but your focus is on the wireless connection. Scroll down the list and select the wireless network you wish to connect and then hit the Connect button.

Note: If the network you choose is a security-enabled network, it will require authentication. If that happens, one of the following will occur:

• If the network key is automatically provided by your network or system administrator (that is, the network supports IEEE 802.1x), the connection will be made automatically.
  
  
• If the network key is not automatically provided, type in your key. The key can be a WEP, WPA or WPA2 encryption key.
  
  
  
  
• Once you're connected to the wireless network, the connection will show up as connected.
  
  
  
  
• If you right click the connected wireless network and click Properties, you will be able to see the connection setting of the network and you can then make further configurations, if needed. For example, set it as a preferred network to connect automatically. Check through the settings and play with them until you have everything just the way you want them.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Here's to a wireless Vista!

~ Ramachandran Kumaraswami

Want To Comment On This Tip? Click Here! We'd love to hear from you :-)

---

Like These Tips? Get 'Em Free In Your E-mail

Computer & MS Office Tips

Computer Tips & MS Office Tips Daily - Run your Windows PC like a pro! No matter what your skill level, beginner or advanced, you'll find tons of valuable tips, tricks, and ideas in every issue (plus great software deals). Become the computer guru you've always wanted to be! The tip you've just read was in this newsletter!

Computer Tips & MS Office Tips Weekly - If you don't want our Computer Tips newsletter every day, then sign up for this weekly newsletter to get the best information of the week. Sent on Fridays

Our Other Great Newsletters

Just For Grins - Each issue includes a couple clean jokes, some funny quotes, and a hilarious reader's story. Newsletter is sent five days a week

Life's Adventures - Each issue features a short story. Some of these are of the warm and fuzzy variety, some are sad, some are a little of both, but they all deliver powerful messages. Sent every Tuesday and Thursday.

Software Deals - Every week, we send out great deals in our Software Deals newsletter. Many of these deals are exclusively for our Software Deals newsletter subscribers and can't be found with our regular specials.

Enter Email address:

Your e-mail address is safe with us!
We only use it to send you the newsletters you request. It is NEVER disclosed to a third party for any reason, ever! Plus, if you decided you don't like our newsletters (don't worry, you'll love 'em :-), unsubscribing is fast and easy.

Click Here to find out why we have over 400,000 readers who enjoy our newsletters every week! (And growing fast!)

  (Computer Tips Daily)