Setting Up My Public Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide from Installation to Network Security

In the field Network Name (SSID) Enter the name of your network (e.g. MyHomeWiFi_5G). Avoid Cyrillic and special characters—some devices don't support them.

In the field Network Key Enter a password (minimum 8 characters). We recommend using a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols (e.g., P@ssw0rd_2026!).

In the drop-down list Internet to Share Select the connection through which your PC receives internet. Typically, this is:

• Ethernet (if the Internet is via cable).
• Local Area Network* X (if connected via another Wi-Fi).
• PPPoE connection (if you use high-speed Internet with authorization).
• Launching an access point

  Click the button Set up and Start HotspotIf everything is configured correctly, the status will appear at the bottom of the window. Hotspot is running.

  Now you can connect to your network from other devices.

To stop the distribution, click Stop HotspotThe settings will be saved and will be available the next time you launch.

Optimizing connection speed and stability

By default My Public Wi-Fi uses default settings, which don't always provide maximum speed. Here's how to improve performance:

1. Selecting a Wi-Fi channel

By default, the program selects a channel automatically, but it may be congested by neighboring networks. To change it:

1. Open Command Prompt on behalf of the administrator.
2. Enter the command:

   netsh wlan show all

   To see the list of busy channels.

3. IN My Public Wi-Fi go to Settings → Advanced and select a free channel (for example, 6 or 11 for 2.4 GHz).

2. Speed ​​limit for customers

If you have multiple devices connected to your network and one of them is hogging all your traffic (for example, downloading torrents), you can limit its speed:

1. In the main program window, go to the tab Clients.
2. Select the device from the list and click Edit.
3. Set limits in fields Download Limit (Kbps) And Upload Limit (Kbps). For example, 5000 Kbps (≈6 Mbps) is enough to watch videos in Full HD.

3. Using 5 GHz instead of 2.4 GHz

If your adapter supports 5 GHz, switch to this range for less interference and higher speed:

• In the program settings, select 5 GHz in the section Wireless Mode.
• Specify a channel in the range 36–165 (For example, 36 or 149).
• Please note that the range 5 GHz less than 2.4 GHz.
How to check the real network speed?

Use the service Speedtest.net on the connected device. Run the test 2-3 times and compare the results:

- Download speed (Download) must be at least 70% of your tariff speed.

- If the speed drops by more than 50%, check the load on your PC's CPU (it's possible that a weak processor can't handle the distribution).

4. Configuring traffic priority (QoS)

To ensure important tasks (such as video calls or online games) don't slow down, set your priorities:

1. Open Control Panel → Network Connections.
2. Find created My Public Wi-Fi connection (usually called Local Area Connection* X).
3. Open Properties → Configure → Advanced.
4. Enable the option QoS Packet Scheduler and set the priority for the applications you need.

Security: How to Protect Your Network from Hacking

An open access point is an easy target for hackers. Here's how to secure your network:

1. Use a complex password

Avoid simple combinations like 12345678 or qwertyOptimal password:

• 🔐 Length not less than 12 characters.
• 🔤 A combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
• 🚫 No personal information (date of birth, names, etc.).

Example of a strong password: WiFi$ecure_2026!My.

2. Disable WPS

WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) is a vulnerable protocol that can be hacked in a few hours. My Public Wi-Fi It is disabled by default, but if you are using another program, check the settings.

3. Enable MAC address filtering

This will allow only authorized devices to connect to the network:

1. In the main program window, go to the tab Clients.
2. Click Add and enter the MAC addresses of trusted devices (can be found in the Wi-Fi settings on your smartphone or in ipconfig /all on PC).
3. Activate the option Enable MAC Filtering.

4. Hide the SSID (not recommended for home use)

Hiding the network name (Hide SSID) makes it difficult for legitimate users to connect, but can be useful in public places. To enable:

1. In the program settings, check the box Hide SSID.
2. Save the changes and restart the access point.

Please note that the hidden network is still visible in specialized programs (for example, Wireshark).

⚠️ Important: If you're sharing internet in a cafe, hostel, or other public place, be sure to include in your terms of use that you're not responsible for the actions of connected users. In some countries, the hotspot owner may be held liable for illegal activity on your network.

Solutions to common errors

Even with proper setup, problems can arise. Let's look at the most common ones:

1. Error 1067: "The AutoHotspot service failed to start."

Reasons and solutions:

• 🔌 Service Windows Wireless Service disabled:

  Run it through services.msc (find service WLAN AutoConfig and set the startup type Automatically).

• 🔄 Conflict with antivirus software:

  Add the program to exceptions Avast, Kaspersky or Windows Defender.

• 🖥️ Incompatible Wi-Fi adapter:

  Check support Hosted Network via command:

  netsh wlan show drivers

  Look for the line Hosted Network Support: Yes.

2. Connected devices do not have access to the Internet

The problem is usually related to the sharing settings in Windows:

1. Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings.
2. Find the connection through which the PC receives the Internet (for example, Ethernet).
3. Open Properties → Access and allow other users to use this connection.
4. In the drop-down list, select the created one My Public Wi-Fi connection (usually Local Area Connection* X).

3. Slow speed or connection interruptions

Possible causes and solutions:

• 📶 Weak signal: Move your PC closer to the devices or use a USB adapter with an external antenna.
• 🔋 Energy saving: Disable the option Allow the device to turn off to save power in the Wi-Fi adapter properties.
• 🖥️ High CPU loadClose resource-intensive programs (torrents, games). For internet sharing on 5+ devices, a processor of at least the recommended processor is recommended. Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3.

4. Error "Unable to configure IP address"

This means that the DHCP server is not assigning IP addresses to connected devices. Solution:

1. IN My Public Wi-Fi go to Settings → DHCP Settings.
2. Make sure the option is Enable DHCP Server included.
3. Please specify a range of IP addresses, for example, 192.168.10.2 – 192.168.10.100.
4. Restart the access point.
What to do if the program does not start on Windows 11?

In recent versions of Windows 11, the creation of virtual networks may be blocked. Solution:

1. Open Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).

2. Go to Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Networks → Microsoft Hosted Network Virtual Adapter.

3. Enable the option Allow hosted network and restart your PC.

My Public Wi-Fi Alternatives: When to Choose a Different Solution

If My Public Wi-Fi is not suitable (e.g. due to incompatibility with the adapter or limited functionality), consider alternatives:

Program	Pros	Cons	Price
Connectify Hotspot	Support for 3G/4G modems, advanced QoS settings	Paid version for all features	From $35/year
Virtual Router Plus	Simple interface, support for Windows 7-11	No speed limit for customers	For free
mHotspot	Shows connected devices, easy installation	Advertising in the free version	For free
Built-in Mobile hotspot Windows	No installation required, stable operation	Limited settings, often glitches on Windows 7	For free

When to choose an alternative:

• 💻 Do you need internet distribution with 3G/4G modem (For example, Huawei E3372).
• 📊 Detailed traffic statistics by device are required.
• 🔄 Need to set up VPN proxying for all connected clients.

If the basic functions are enough for you, My Public Wi-Fi remains one of the easiest and most reliable solutions.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about setting up My Public Wi-Fi

Is it possible to share Wi-Fi from a laptop if the laptop itself is connected to another Wi-Fi network?
Yes, but it depends on the driver of your Wi-Fi adapter. Most modern adapters (for example, Intel AX200) support the regime AP+STA, allowing you to connect to the network and distribute it simultaneously. If after launching My Public Wi-Fi the internet is lost, try:
1. Connect to the source network via cable (Ethernet).
2. Update adapter driver.
3. Use an external USB adapter (eg. TP-Link TL-WN823N).
How to increase the range of an access point?

The range depends on the Wi-Fi adapter's power and interference. To improve coverage:

• 📡 Use a USB adapter with an external antenna (e.g. Alfa AWUS036ACH).
• 📍 Place your laptop in the center of the room, away from walls and metal objects.
• 🔋 Increase the transmit power using the command:

  netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=MyWiFi key=password keyUsage=persistent maxpeers=10

  (parameter maxpeers does not affect the power, but can help with a large number of devices).

To significantly increase the radius, you will need Wi-Fi amplifier (repeater) or switching to a full-fledged router.

Is it possible to share internet from a phone via My Public Wi-Fi (USB tethering)?
No, the program only works with connections that are recognized by Windows as network adapters. USB tethering from Android/iPhone creates a virtual adapter that My Public Wi-Fi doesn't see. Alternatives:
• Use the built-in Mobile hotspot on the phone.
• Connect your phone to your PC via USB and set it up reverse tethering (requires root/jailbreak).
How do I block access to certain websites through my hotspot?

My Public Wi-Fi does not have a built-in site blocker, but you can:

1. Tune hosts file on connected devices (inconvenient for a large number of gadgets).
2. Use OpenDNS or Cloudflare Family in the TCP/IP settings of your primary connection.
3. Install a firewall program on your PC (for example, GlassWire) and block traffic to unwanted resources.

For full filtering, it is better to use a router with support Parent Control.

Will My Public Wi-Fi work on Mac or Linux?
No, the program is only for Windows. For macOS And Linux there are solutions:
• 🍎 Mac: Built-in function Sharing → Internet Sharing.
• 🐧 Linux: Utilities create_ap or hostapd (require terminal skills).