In this tutorial we will show you how to connect to a wireless network using Windows Vista. As you will see by yourself this is a pretty simple procedure. You don't have to be a computer genius to connect to a wireless network. All you have to do is follow these simple steps:
First, go to "Start Menu" -> "Control Panel" -> "Network and Internet".

Now... go to "Network and Sharing Center" and select "Connect to a network", like it is shown in the above screenshot.

Choose "Show All" and hit the refresh button. If you find active network connections, select the one you want, click on "Connect" and don't forget to check the option that says "Start this connection automatically". If you check this option, Windows Vista will connect automatically to the selected network every time you log in.
If no networks are found, you can manually enter all network settings. This is how you do it:
In the “Connect to a network” window, click on “Set up a connection or network”, like shown in the above screenshot. Select “Manually connect to a wireless network” and press the “Next” button.
First, enter the “Network name”. In some cases the network name is identical to the name of the router - for example, my router is a Linksys, so the name of the network is Linksys.
Choose the security type and the encryption you use on your network. Now type the security key and check the option "Start this connection automatically".

Click the "Next" button, then click "Connect to..." and that should be all. You successfully configured a connection to a wireless network.
Related articles:
How to check your Network Connection Status
Windows Network Diagnostic - diagnose network problems the easy way
How to setup a Bluetooth connection
How to enable network discovery and file sharing
Offline Files - How To Work With Network Files When Offline
How to Connect to Wireless Networks in Windows 7
Comments
need to know where i can find PASSPHRASE on laptop for Vista
Hi
I just finding to how i get Passphrase word that vista have own word for Security..so i can put Security key on to laptop to connection so my laptop working by wireless..but where i can find "Passphrase"...
Stephen
Connected to Linksys, Not to Internet
I have a Dell Inspiron 1501 notebook running MS Vista and a Dell Wireless 1390 WLAN Mini-card
I show a connection from the radio icon in the tray/taskbar, connected at 38.0 Mbps.
I click on IE 7, can not connect to the internet.
I've tried Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.6 and again, can not connect to the internet.
I have changed the Connections settings in both browsers to any and all options (Auto-detect proxy, etc.) with no luck.
Any thoughts on what my issue might be?
Thank you
Network settings
You should review your network connection settings (IP Address, subnet, etc) and also the way the Linksys router is configured.
Your problem has nothing to do with IE 7 or Firefox.
internet
hi i got a new netgear WGR614 wireless router about 3 weeks ago n i have been stuck with it....my laptop(acer 5570Z-about months old) is connecting to the router but not to the internet....i must add that the internet explorer of my laptop doesn't work but firefox does....also i m in community housing and everybody around me says that it should connect quite easily but i don't know whats wrong....perhaps something with vista configurations????
do reply someone...urgent
wireless nightmare!
I have a new HP computer running Vista. I have moved into a house that has a wireless router - the router is another room - I get a good signal to the router, says I have a strong internet and local connection. I can get onto programs like limewire (although the connection is sketchy) and very occassionally can connect to a webpage, but as soon as I try to proceed from one page to the next it says I have connection problems - but when I trouble shoot, it says the connection is fine - aarrggh!
Any ideas???
New Acer Aspire 5315 Can not connect to wireless network
Hardware: Acer Aspire 5315 (brand new)
Network Card: Atheros AR5007EG
OS: Vista
Wireless Router at Home: DLink
Problem: Can not connect to the wireless network.
Symptom: “Action has been cancel this is because it was stopped by a user or timed out”
or System reboots itself.
Cannot connect to internet
Hi;
My daughter has a Toshiba satellite laptop that came loaded with Vista. When she first turned the laptop on it connected to our LInksys Wireless router and out through the ISP Netgear router with no problems. Yesterday, out of nowhere, it cannot connect to the internet. It receives the IP, but still cannot go out. I have tried hard setting both the IP and DNS to that of another laptop in the house (Windows XP laptop works) and still no luck. The wizard to help trouble shoot the problem says it is a DNS problem, but as I said the other XP system is working fine. Any ideas?