Solved Windows 8.1 Tablet Reverse Tethering?

Teitoku

New Member
Messages
32
Location
Manila, Philippines
Okay, so I acquired a Windows 8.1 Tablet (Surface Pro 2) recently and my wifi router just went dead yesterday so I had to directly plug in my modem to my desktop PC. One of my friends who has an android tablet told me he could "reverse tether" his tablet using his Windows PC's connection via USB.

I was wondering if this was possible with Windows 8.1 tablets? Can you connect to a PC running windows 7/8 that has internet via USB and share the internet connection that way?

I won't be able to buy a new wifi router until next week so I was just wondering if there was another way to connect via cables. Thanks for the replies in advance.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD A8
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    2GB Palit Nvidia Kepler 630
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 19" Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB Seagate
    PSU
    Generic
    Case
    Generic
    Cooling
    Generic
    Keyboard
    A4 Tech Gaming Keyboard
    Mouse
    A4 Tech Gaming Mouse
    Internet Speed
    3mbps ADSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
    Other Info
    This is a custom made build PC that I put together. It may be low on the spec sheet but its decent enough to run a few games.
if your desktop is connected via a cable to your modem and you have a wireless adapter on that desktop too, you may be able share the network with an Ad Hoc setup.

open network and sharing center from control panel(in windows 8.1 or just by clicking the icon in the tray in win7)
click "local area connection" in the Internet Connections area
Choose Properties
Sharing
Share connection

I think you can connect to it after that with your surface, but it's been a while since I used this method. Certain firewalls may block it or get in the way, I only recall Zone Alert firewall doing that, though.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7
In addition to tannim's post, you must enable and create hosted networks to that Marvell WiFi adapter on the Surface 2 Pro to create a portable hotspot. Now all of the devices that connects to the Surface Pro 2's hotspot will get internet connection per tannim's post.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 with Media Center
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Pro 3
    CPU
    Core i5 4300U @ 1.9 GHz
    Motherboard
    Surface Pro 3
    Memory
    8092 MB DDR3-L 1.35 V SDRAM @ 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4400 @ 200 MHz
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built-in 3:2 display
    Screen Resolution
    2160 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    256 GB SSD + 128 GB micro SD
    PSU
    36 Watt power brick
    Cooling
    Active
    Keyboard
    On Screen Keyboard
    Mouse
    Surface pen
    Internet Speed
    300 / 20 TWC
    Browser
    IE 11 Metro, IE 11 Desktop
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Ah thanks for the reply. I'll try Tanim's suggestion since I do have an extra wifi usb adapter lying around. I'll try that once I get home. I have Norton 360 on my desktop so I'll make sure to add a rule or exception on the firewall.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD A8
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    2GB Palit Nvidia Kepler 630
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 19" Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB Seagate
    PSU
    Generic
    Case
    Generic
    Cooling
    Generic
    Keyboard
    A4 Tech Gaming Keyboard
    Mouse
    A4 Tech Gaming Mouse
    Internet Speed
    3mbps ADSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
    Other Info
    This is a custom made build PC that I put together. It may be low on the spec sheet but its decent enough to run a few games.
Please bookmark this guide (link: About the Wireless Hosted Network (Windows)) since it explains how to create a portable hotspot with your WiFi using command prompt. If the hosted network is disabled, you enable it first then set your Ssid then password. Finally start the hosted network to create the hotspot. Make sure to share the internet in the "virtual miniport adapter" (that's the portable hotspot you created.) from tannim's post.

In case you need a picture tutorial for it, just see my post here: cannot share internet (wired) from laptop with mobile devices - Windows 7 Help Forums
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 with Media Center
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Pro 3
    CPU
    Core i5 4300U @ 1.9 GHz
    Motherboard
    Surface Pro 3
    Memory
    8092 MB DDR3-L 1.35 V SDRAM @ 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4400 @ 200 MHz
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built-in 3:2 display
    Screen Resolution
    2160 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    256 GB SSD + 128 GB micro SD
    PSU
    36 Watt power brick
    Cooling
    Active
    Keyboard
    On Screen Keyboard
    Mouse
    Surface pen
    Internet Speed
    300 / 20 TWC
    Browser
    IE 11 Metro, IE 11 Desktop
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Okay, I was able to setup an adhoc network on my Windows 7 desktop. I've got an old Netgear WG111v3 usb wifi adapter that supports adhoc networks. I did find that guide that theveterans linked and was able to use it. However from time to time I get kicked out of the wifi network from my tablet and when I try to reconnect it says its unable to. Even tried connecting with my android phone just to check and the same thing happens.

I noticed that for about 8-10 minutes it works fine then it suddenly drops everything. I have to delete the adhoc network and re-create it again for it to work. Then it eventually drops everything again. I tried disabling the sleep mode and power saving modes of the wifi usb adapter thinking it was the reason but the same thing happened.

Any suggestions on this? I'm a bit stumped.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD A8
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    2GB Palit Nvidia Kepler 630
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 19" Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB Seagate
    PSU
    Generic
    Case
    Generic
    Cooling
    Generic
    Keyboard
    A4 Tech Gaming Keyboard
    Mouse
    A4 Tech Gaming Mouse
    Internet Speed
    3mbps ADSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
    Other Info
    This is a custom made build PC that I put together. It may be low on the spec sheet but its decent enough to run a few games.
I haven't used that feature for extended time but to me it seems like the netgear usb can't handle too much network traffic.

You can try doing multiple streaming with the adhoc network and see if you can reproduce the drops with just heavy networking. You can also try another adapter and see if it fixes the issue.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 with Media Center
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Pro 3
    CPU
    Core i5 4300U @ 1.9 GHz
    Motherboard
    Surface Pro 3
    Memory
    8092 MB DDR3-L 1.35 V SDRAM @ 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4400 @ 200 MHz
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built-in 3:2 display
    Screen Resolution
    2160 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    256 GB SSD + 128 GB micro SD
    PSU
    36 Watt power brick
    Cooling
    Active
    Keyboard
    On Screen Keyboard
    Mouse
    Surface pen
    Internet Speed
    300 / 20 TWC
    Browser
    IE 11 Metro, IE 11 Desktop
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Well the windows tablet is the only one connected to the adhoc network and all I'm doing is facebook and a few tablet games that require an internet connection.

I guess I'm out of luck I suppose since the netgear is the only adapter I have. Ill just have to wait till payday until I can get a new wifi router.

Thanks for all the help!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD A8
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    2GB Palit Nvidia Kepler 630
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 19" Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB Seagate
    PSU
    Generic
    Case
    Generic
    Cooling
    Generic
    Keyboard
    A4 Tech Gaming Keyboard
    Mouse
    A4 Tech Gaming Mouse
    Internet Speed
    3mbps ADSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
    Other Info
    This is a custom made build PC that I put together. It may be low on the spec sheet but its decent enough to run a few games.
well I'm happy that at least you have a temporary solution (albeit unreliable) until you get a new router :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 with Media Center
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Pro 3
    CPU
    Core i5 4300U @ 1.9 GHz
    Motherboard
    Surface Pro 3
    Memory
    8092 MB DDR3-L 1.35 V SDRAM @ 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4400 @ 200 MHz
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built-in 3:2 display
    Screen Resolution
    2160 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    256 GB SSD + 128 GB micro SD
    PSU
    36 Watt power brick
    Cooling
    Active
    Keyboard
    On Screen Keyboard
    Mouse
    Surface pen
    Internet Speed
    300 / 20 TWC
    Browser
    IE 11 Metro, IE 11 Desktop
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
A little internet is better than none at least : )

Make sure you have the newest driver for your wireless device on the desktop.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7
A little internet is better than none at least : )

Make sure you have the newest driver for your wireless device on the desktop.

Yeah, I got the latest drivers for the Netgear.

I found the problem. It appears it didin't like one of the USB ports in the front of the desktop so I put it on the USB port at the back of the tower and it started working like a charm.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD A8
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    2GB Palit Nvidia Kepler 630
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 19" Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB Seagate
    PSU
    Generic
    Case
    Generic
    Cooling
    Generic
    Keyboard
    A4 Tech Gaming Keyboard
    Mouse
    A4 Tech Gaming Mouse
    Internet Speed
    3mbps ADSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
    Other Info
    This is a custom made build PC that I put together. It may be low on the spec sheet but its decent enough to run a few games.
bad USB ports have been known to happen. I'm glad it's working, though by now you can probably get a new router.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7
There are many third party applications, one of which is "mHotspot" but that is just throwing one out there.
I don't recommend a certain one. You have to choose the one that works best for you.

Many are free, like mHotspot, some cost $20 or $30. Just do a good search.

turn laptop into wifi hotspot

Also:
Virtual Router Plus Turns Your Windows 8 PC Into a Wi-Fi Hotspot
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Nokia Lumia 2520
    CPU
    Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 800
    Memory
    2GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    10.1"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    32GB SSD
    Case
    Asus Case
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wedge Keyboard
    Mouse
    Bornd Bluetooth Mouse
    Browser
    IE 11
He wasn't trying to turn his laptop into a hot spot. He was trying to get his desktop to share its internet with the laptop because he is temporarily without a router. Originally he wanted to do it over a USB cable, but a wireless adaptor was easier.

Turning the desktop into a hot spot does the exact same thing as sharing the network with windows built in "share network" feature, only it would require extra software.

Hotspots can be an ok idea, but a simple solution was better here.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7
Yeah, going for a third party software was a bit over the top since Windows 7 had the capability anyway to turn the desktop into a hotspot itself. I got my new router now, but this experience has taught me one extra cool thing and I'm keen on sharing it with another buddy of mine who can't afford a router right now.

Thanks for the advice though.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD A8
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    2GB Palit Nvidia Kepler 630
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 19" Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1TB Seagate
    PSU
    Generic
    Case
    Generic
    Cooling
    Generic
    Keyboard
    A4 Tech Gaming Keyboard
    Mouse
    A4 Tech Gaming Mouse
    Internet Speed
    3mbps ADSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
    Other Info
    This is a custom made build PC that I put together. It may be low on the spec sheet but its decent enough to run a few games.
Back
Top