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Windows Mobile Hotspot: Where to Find It and How to Share Your Connection

Windows puts Mobile hotspot in Network settings. Choose a connection to share, select Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, set hotspot details if needed, and turn it on.
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To turn on a hotspot in Windows 11, open Settings > Network & internet > Mobile hotspot, choose the connection to share and how to share it, then switch on Mobile hotspot. Windows can share an internet connection from Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular data. The setting is tucked into Network settings, but once configured, you can switch it on or off from Quick Settings.

How do I turn on Mobile hotspot in Windows 11?

  1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Mobile hotspot. If you already see the Mobile hotspot action in Quick Settings, right-click or long-press it and choose Go to Settings.
  2. Under Share my internet connection from, select the connection your PC should share. Microsoft lists Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and cellular data as available sources.
  3. Under Share over, choose Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
  4. To customize the hotspot, expand Properties, select Edit, set a network name and password, and choose a network band. Save your changes.
  5. Turn on the Mobile hotspot switch at the top of the page. For subsequent on/off control, use the Mobile hotspot action in Quick Settings.
  6. On the device you want to connect, open its Wi-Fi settings, select the hotspot’s network name, and enter the password. You can also scan the QR code if the device supports it.

When the hotspot is active, Windows 11 Quick Settings shows the number of connected devices. Microsoft’s instructions describe sharing a PC’s internet connection this way; they do not promise a particular speed or device limit. Microsoft’s Mobile hotspot instructions cover the setup in Windows 11 and Windows 10.

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Wi-Fi or Bluetooth: which sharing method should you choose?

Sharing method What Microsoft says When to choose it
Wi-Fi Usually faster; it is the default option in Microsoft’s instructions. Choose it when you want to connect another device over Wi-Fi.
Bluetooth Available as an alternative under Share over. Choose it if Bluetooth is the sharing method you want to use.

These are ways to distribute the PC’s connection, not different internet sources. The source is selected separately under Share my internet connection from.

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What connection can the PC share?

  • Wi-Fi: Share the internet connection the PC is using over Wi-Fi.
  • Ethernet: Share a wired connection with another device.
  • Cellular: Share the PC’s cellular connection. This uses data from the PC’s mobile data plan, so check the plan’s limits before connecting devices.

If the PC uses a capped cellular plan, setting the connection as metered can help limit data use. Microsoft cautions that a metered connection can also restrict how much some apps download or display. See Microsoft’s guidance on metered connections in Windows.

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Where is Mobile hotspot in Windows 10?

Microsoft documents this path: Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile hotspot. Choose the source under Share my Internet connection from, optionally edit the network name and password, then turn on Share my Internet connection with other devices. On the receiving device, open Wi-Fi settings, select the hotspot network, and enter its password.

Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft says it no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10 after that date. Windows 10 PCs continue to work, but Microsoft recommends moving to Windows 11. See Microsoft’s Windows 10 support lifecycle notice.

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What to try if the hotspot won’t work

First check the PC’s internet connection

If the connection the PC is meant to share is not working, start with the automated Network and Internet troubleshooter in the Get Help app. Microsoft recommends this troubleshooting route for network problems. Its Wi-Fi connection troubleshooting guide explains further steps.

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Use network reset only as a later step

Microsoft describes network reset as a last step. It removes installed network adapters and resets their settings; after the PC restarts, Windows reinstalls the adapters with default settings. VPN clients, Hyper-V virtual switches, and other network virtualization software may need to be reinstalled or set up again. Review the consequences in Microsoft’s network troubleshooting guidance before using it.

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