Learn How:  Run The Network Setup Wizard

You use the Windows XP Wireless Network Setup Wizard to assign encrypted network keys to all the PCs on your home wireless network. You run the wizard on each of the PCs connected to your wireless network. Follow these steps:

  1. On your main computer, click the Windows Start button and open the Control Panel.

  2. From the Control Panel, select Network and Internet Connections.

  3. Double-click the Wireless Network Setup Wizard icon.

  4. When the wizard launches, click Next.

  5. When the main information screen appears, assign your network a SSID (network name).

  6. Check the Automatically Assign a Network Key option.

  7. For the strongest encryption, check the Use WPA Encryption option. (This is recommended only if all the PCs and wireless adapters on your network are compatible with WPA encryption.)

  8. Click the Next button.

  9. Check the Set Up a Network Manually option, then click Next.

  10. The wizard now assigns a network key to your computer. Click the Print Network Settings button to view and print the assigned network key.

Now you're ready to add the network key to all the other computers on your network. Move to another computer and follow the previous steps to launch the Wireless Network Setup Wizard. When you come to Step 6, check the Manually Assign a Network Key option and click Next. When prompted, enter the network key assigned on your main computer, then click Next.

After all the work is done, only those PCs that have been assigned this specific network key can connect to your wireless network.