Windows 9 mobile hotspot shares PC internet over Wi-Fi
Early Microsoft coverage referred to the next Windows release as Windows 9, although Microsoft ultimately released its successor as Windows 10. One practical feature associated with those builds was a mobile hotspot that shared a PC’s existing internet connection with nearby phones and tablets.
The feature creates a private Wi-Fi network from the computer. Once a phone joins it, web pages, messages, video calls and app updates travel through the PC rather than the phone’s own mobile connection. This is useful when a tablet has exhausted its data allowance or a traveller wants one login for several devices.
For Australians, the important distinction is where the PC gets its internet. A PC attached to NBN can lend that broadband to a phone without using mobile data. A PC using Telstra, Optus or Vodafone mobile data passes the usage onto the relevant plan, where fair-use policies and data caps still apply.
How the hotspot connection works
The mobile hotspot does not create an internet connection from nothing. The Windows PC must already have a working route online, supplied by Ethernet, home Wi-Fi, a tethered phone or a USB cellular modem. The hotspot then acts as the access point between that route and nearby devices.
It uses a Wi-Fi Direct virtual adapter rather than requiring a conventional router to broadcast another network. A phone sees a normal network name, selects it and uses the supplied security key. Bluetooth can carry the hotspot in some builds, although Wi-Fi offers broader support and simpler setup.
The source still determines performance. Ethernet and stable home broadband generally feel more responsive than a congested café connection, while cellular tethering is vulnerable to signal fluctuations. Enabling the hotspot does not accelerate the internet; it provides another way for compatible hardware to reach the same connection.
Turning on mobile hotspot in Windows 9
Open Settings, select Network & Internet and then Mobile hotspot. Switch on Share my Internet connection from and choose Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Under Share over, select Wi-Fi, create a recognisable network name and enter a strong password. These controls continued into early Windows 10 releases.
WPA2-Personal provides the appropriate protection for a temporary home or travel network where supported. A longer password is more valuable than including every possible symbol, since the key must still be entered on each phone or tablet. Changing the default name also makes the network easier to identify than a generic Windows device label.
The PC must remain awake because closing its lid or activating sleep can stop the hotspot. Automatic shutdown when no devices are connected reduces exposure and saves power. If a PC connected through Wi-Fi cannot share that connection, Ethernet or an updated compatible network adapter may be required.
Choosing the best Wi-Fi band
The 2.4 GHz band travels farther and penetrates walls more effectively, making it useful across a house or in a regional location. It is more prone to interference from neighbouring networks, but its wider range can provide a steadier connection to a phone moving around the premises.
The 5 GHz band offers higher throughput and usually encounters less interference, although its shorter range makes it better suited to nearby devices. Where both bands are available, 5 GHz can suit a phone beside the PC, while 2.4 GHz may be more practical in a larger home. The original internet connection remains the ultimate bottleneck.
Connecting a phone or tablet
Open the phone’s Wi-Fi settings, select the hotspot’s network name and enter the password. Android and iOS devices should then receive an IP address automatically and show the network as an active internet connection. No special application or USB cable is required.
Players can also open the Windows 9 game update on the connected device before a session, although the phone, PC and any other guest still share the same uplink. Downloads may therefore slow the game for everyone using the hotspot.
If a device joins but cannot load pages, confirm that the PC itself is online and that the correct network was selected. Leaving and rejoining the hotspot, forgetting the saved password or restarting the network adapter can clear an address-assignment problem.
Using a hotspot across Australia
On Sydney and Melbourne commutes, passengers often rely on mobile data while trains, trams and buses pass through crowded mobile networks. A hotspot on a work laptop connected to office Wi-Fi can provide a separate local login, provided workplace and network policies permit device sharing. The same approach can be useful in Melbourne or Brisbane cafés, subject to their Wi-Fi terms.
Regional travel presents a different problem. Large distances between towns and intermittent mobile coverage can leave a laptop without a reliable connection. Connecting it to a phone by USB and activating the hotspot turns that phone into the internet source, with usage counted against the mobile plan and affected by the nearest tower’s capacity.
The Australian market includes strong 4G services from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone, alongside expanding 5G coverage, but actual speeds vary by location. ACMA regulates the radio spectrum used by hotspots, so compatible hardware and drivers use approved channels and power levels. The Australian Consumer Law also requires carriers to provide clear, non-misleading information about mobile data allowances and charges.
Security, data limits and everyday habits
Treat the hotspot password like any other household Wi-Fi key, and change it if the network name or key may have been exposed. WPA2 encryption protects the local link, but an unrecognised guest can still consume bandwidth. Turning off sharing when it is not needed prevents unintended connections and reduces the risk of unauthorised access.
Smart-home equipment can also use the connection, making guides to automated sunset lights relevant when a phone or hub relies on the PC as its network gateway. The PC must still have an active internet source, and the devices must communicate over the correct local network.
| PC internet source | Where usage is charged | Typical performance | Practical Australian use |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBN or fixed-line router | Home broadband plan | Stable while the PC remains online | Phone or tablet backup at home |
| Ethernet office connection | Workplace internet allowance | Usually fast and consistent | Working from a desk with several devices |
| USB-tethered phone | Mobile carrier allowance | Changes with cellular signal and congestion | Travel beyond reliable fixed-line coverage |
| Public venue Wi-Fi | Venue terms or paid login | Can vary by location and demand | Short sessions where re-sharing is permitted |
For most Australian households, the hotspot is a practical bridge between a broadband-connected PC and a mobile device. Its usefulness depends on the source connection, the selected band and clear limits on who may use the shared network.