Monday, August 5, 2013

Create a Manual Wireless Connection (SSID Not Broadcasted) Windows 8

Create a Manual Wireless Connection (SSID Not Broadcasted)  Windows 8

This walk through will show you how to create a manual wireless connection (connect to a hidden network) using Windows 8 from the start menu
For security purposes, SSID's or network names are not always broadcast. In this case, it is required that you add the connection manually
From the Start Menu perform the following steps :
  1. Right Click on an open area of the Start Menu screen
  2. A slider bar will pop up along the bottom of the screen
  3. Click All Apps on the slider bar
  4. Now click Control Panel under Windows System in the list of applications.

The Control Panel is displayed
From this point forward, the steps for Windows 8 are identical to Windows 7
If you are in category view, click View network status and tasks under Network and Internet
Or
If you are in the icon list view, click Network and sharing   



Network and Sharing is displayed
Click Set up a new connection or  network.

New connection options are displayed
Select Manually connect to a wireless network
  • If this option is not available, the user does not have a working wireless adapter installed



The Manual connection screen is displayed
Enter the following information: (Note: all settings must match those of the wireless connection or the connection attempt will fail)
  • Network Name (Network SSID)
  • Security Type (Select from WEP, WPA, WPA2, Personal etc)
  • Encryption Type (Select AES or TKIP)
  • Security Key
    • Hide characters is optional
  • Optional - Place a check in Start this connection automatically (Recommended)
  • Optional - Place a check in Connect even if the network is not broadcasting




A confirmation page is displayed
If your settings were correct, you should now be successfully connected to the wireless network




Optional Step
If you want to confirm that you are connected to the hidden wireless network, display the available wireless networks, and your network should now be present and show connected.