Why do I need to copy wireless network settings to other computers and devices on my network?

The other computers and devices on your network need to know how to communicate with the wireless router so they can send and receive information on the network. Each computer or device needs settings such as the network name and the network security key so that it can communicate with the router. When you add devices or computers to your network using the Set Up a Wireless Router or Access Point wizard, Windows provides step-by-step instructions for copying the appropriate settings to your computers.

Use the following steps to launch the Set Up a Wireless Router or Access Point wizard:

  1. From the Windows Vista default Start menu, click Connect To.

    Note: Alternatively you may right-click the Network icon in the system tray and then select Connect to a network.
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  2. In the Connect to a network dialog box, click Set up a connection or network.
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  3. In the Choose a connection option dialog box, click Manually connect to a wireless network.
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  4. In the Choose a connection option dialog box, select Set Up a Wireless Router or Access Point.

    Note: This information provided by Microsoft.