Connect or change a wireless connection using the Microsoft Wireless Network Assistant

Connecting to a wireless connection while on the road can be confusing, and most people have trouble simply because the methods for connecting to their laptops to wireless networks are not obvious. The good news is that Windows usually tries to connect you automatically to the strongest signal it encounters; for the most part this will work just fine. However, when it doesn't, you will need to know how to connect your computer to a wireless network that takes you to the Internet. Below is a how-to on connecting to the Internet by using the generic wireless assistant that is built in to Microsoft Windows.

1) First, open your wireless assistant by Right-Clicking on the wireless connection icon in the system tray. If you are currently connected to a wireless connection then the wireless assistant icon will look like this:

or if you are not connected to a wireless connection:
If you don't see the icon near the clock as shown above, then try expanding the list of icons by clicking on the left arrow next to the list. If you still don't see either of these icons then click on the start menu and select Start, then Settings, then Control Panel (or just Start then Control Panel), then Network and Internet Connections, and then Network Connections. Here you should see "Wireless Network Connection" Right-click on this item.

2) Select the option for View Available Wireless Networks

3) In the window that opens click on the option to Refresh network list (Arrow 1) to see all the wireless networks in range.

Hopefully you will see at least one item listed. If you do not see anything listed, then there are no networks around you with a signal strong enough to connect to. At this point you may need to move closer to the network access point, if one is available.

What are these things?
If there are items listed, make sure that the connection name and type is correct. For example, in the picture above there are two wireless connections available - DG and linksys. The icons used show you what type of connection each is. The DG (Box A) connection is called a wireless network connection and is represented by an antenna. This type connects to a wireless network access point rather than another PC. Network connections typically connect to the Internet. The linksys (Box B) connection is a computer to computer connection, which almost never connects to an Internet connection is denoted by an icon of two laptop computers.

*NOTE: If your computer connected automatically a connection but you can't get to the internet, check to make sure that you are connected to an antenna and not to a computer

If you are at a hotel there may be more than one connection. Neighboring hotel connections may be close enough to show up in the list. To be sure which one is the right one, ask the front desk what the name of the network will be in the list. Once you find it in the list, click on it (Arrow 2) and click the Connect button (Arrow 3).

Secured Connections
So far, these directions have been for unsecured open networks like you would see for hotels and coffee shops. If you run on a connection with a little gold lock next to the icon and a description of "Secured wireless network," then you will need a passcode to connect to this type of network.
Check with an employee or the front desk for more specific directions for this location.

4) Once your laptop has connected to the network, you will see "Connected" next to the item in the list: