PCs that can't host a hotspot
Connectify Hotspot works on most Windows laptops and tablets, including Microsoft Surface devices. There are two kinds of PC it can't turn into a hotspot: PCs with an ARM processor, and PCs whose Wi-Fi adapter can't host a hotspot. This article explains how to tell, and what you can do.
PCs with an ARM (Snapdragon) processor
Connectify Hotspot 27 needs a PC with a 64-bit Intel or AMD processor. It doesn't run on Windows on ARM, which includes PCs with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors such as the Microsoft Surface Pro X. On these PCs the installer stops with this message:
Sorry, Connectify Hotspot 27 does not run on ARM-based PCs. It requires a PC with a 64-bit Intel or AMD processor running Windows 10 Creators Update (version 1703) or later, or Windows 11.
To see which processor you have, open Windows Settings > System > About and look at System type. If it says ARM-based processor, Connectify Hotspot can't be installed on that PC. See What Operating Systems does Connectify Support?
PCs whose Wi-Fi adapter can't host a hotspot
To create a Wi-Fi hotspot, your Wi-Fi adapter's driver must support one of the two ways Windows lets an app host a hotspot (also known as AP mode): Wi-Fi Direct, which Connectify Hotspot uses by default, or Microsoft Hosted Network, the older way introduced in Windows 7.
Many current adapters no longer support Hosted Network. The Surface Pro 4, for example, uses the Marvell AVASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller, which has no Hosted Network support. That is not a problem: Connectify Hotspot uses Wi-Fi Direct with these adapters instead. Wi-Fi Direct is only how Connectify Hotspot sets up the hotspot on your PC. What it creates is a regular Wi-Fi hotspot, and your devices don't need to support Wi-Fi Direct to join it.
How to check your adapter
To check for Wi-Fi Direct support on your Windows computer, open a Command Prompt, run ipconfig /all and look for an entry called "Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter".
To check for Hosted Network support, run netsh wlan show drivers and look at the Hosted network supported line. Don't worry if it says No, as long as your adapter supports Wi-Fi Direct.
If your adapter supports neither
When you click Start hotspot, Connectify Hotspot shows an error at the top of the window:
Could not start the hotspot because of a problem with this PC's network adapters:
Your Wi-Fi adapter does not support AP mode. Please try updating the drivers for your Wi-Fi adapter
Here is what you can do:
- Update the driver for your Wi-Fi adapter from the PC or adapter manufacturer's website. See How to Update Your Wireless (Wi-Fi) Driver.
- Use a USB Wi-Fi adapter that supports AP mode.
- Share your internet over Ethernet instead, with Wired router (Hotspot PRO or MAX).
Learn more in Your Wi-Fi adapter does not support AP mode.
How to Share your Wi-Fi on a Microsoft Surface
On a Surface with an Intel or AMD processor, running 64-bit Windows 10 version 1703 or later or Windows 11:
- Download and install Connectify Hotspot. It may require a restart after the installation is over.
- Open Connectify Hotspot. On the Hotspot screen, choose Wi-Fi hotspot under Create a, choose your Wi-Fi network in Internet to share, enter a Hotspot name and Password, and click Start hotspot. See How to Set up Connectify Hotspot.