How to Use a Windows Laptop As a Bridge Device

Windows XP laptops can be easily configured to act as a bridging device to allow other devices to share the same network with the laptop. For instance, your laptop can act as a router to other devices that are placed too far away from a router or modem to make a hard connection via Ethernet cable. All that's required is an Ethernet connection between the laptop and the device you'd like to bridge it with.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ethernet cable
• Windows laptop
• Device with Ethernet port

1. Step 1

   Connect one end of the Ethernet cable into the device you'd like to bridge with your laptop. Make sure both devices are off before plugging in the cables because the device might not recognize the Ethernet cable if it's already on. Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable into your laptop.

2. Step 2

   Turn on your laptop and the device you plugged the Ethernet cable into and click on the "Start" button.

3. Step 3

   Click on "Control Panel." This will open a drop-down menu of options to choose from. Click on "Network Connections." This will open a pop-up box where you can bridge connections.

4. Step 4

   Single click on the local area connection to highlight it. Hold the "Ctrl" key and click on the network that you'd like the peripheral device to connect to through your laptop such as a wireless network connection. This will highlight both connections.

5. Step 5

   Right click on either connection and then select "Bridge Connections." Your laptop will take a few moments to bridge the connections.