How to Use Windows Vista on Laptop to Connect Wireless
- 1). Navigate to your Network Connections manager. Open the start menu and choose control panel. To the left, you will see "Control Panel Home" and "Classic View." If there is not a dot next to "Classic View," click it to place a dot next to it. When the control panel goes into classic view, click on "Network and Sharing Center." On the left side, there will be a list of links listed under "Tasks." Click "Manage Wireless Networks."
- 2). Determine your wireless network. You will now see a list of wireless networks that your wireless card is able to pick up signal from. Each wireless network has a specific name, called an ESSID, which will be listed next to the network's icon. If you have not given your wireless network a specific name, it will most likely just be called the brand name of the router ("Linksys" or "Netgear" for example). Right-click on the icon for your home wireless network and choose "Properties." On the "Connection" tab of the Properties window, click the check box next to "Connect automatically when this network is in range."
- 3). Connect to the wireless network. Your computer will now attempt to connect to your wireless network. If a popup window prompts you to enter a network key, type it in the space provided (contact the router manufacturer if you do not know it). A popup screen should indicate to you whether or not Windows Vista was able to connect to the wireless network. If it indicates that you were able to, you should be able to browse the Internet with no issue.
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