Sometimes it can be difficult to get a wireless signal in certain parts of a building. This is especially true for big offices and houses. If your office or house has a few WiFi dead zones, turning your laptop into a WiFi hotspot will allow you to connect other devices in the dead zones to the Internet.

The laptop-hotspot also proves useful when you are outside. You can connect your mobile or other devices to the Internet through your laptop.

To convert Windows 7 laptop into a WiFi hotspot, follow these steps:

• Right-click the Internet Access icon in the system tray, and then click Open Network and Sharing Centre
• In the Network and Sharing Centre window, click Change Adapter Settings, that is listed in the left pane
• In the next Window, right-click the Local Area Connection icon, and then click the Sharing tab
• Click the box before Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection, and then select Wireless Network Connection in the drop-down menu listed below it. If you want others to control or disable the shared Internet connection, click the second box
• Click the OK button to close the Local Area Connection Properties dialog box
• Next, click on Network and Internet in the address bar of the control panel window
• Click Network and Sharing Centre
• Ensure that your wireless adapter is turned on and then click Set up a new connection or network
• In the Set up a Connection or Network dialog box, select Set up a wireless ad hoc (computer-to-computer) network, and then click Next
• Click Next again
• Give the network a name, select the Security type to WEP in the drop-down menu, enter a Security Key (password), and select the box before Hide characters. The Save this network box is by default unchecked. To select this option, simply click the box
• Finally click the Next button

Now your laptop will function as a WiFi hotspot through which you can connect your other devices to the Internet.

Another thing you must do if you want a seamless Internet connection is to ensure that your Ethernet driver is up-to-date. An old or corrupt Ethernet driver may prevent you from accessing the Internet, besides causing other errors. The best and fastest way to update Ethernet and other drivers is by using an advanced driver update tool.