Connect to the Internet

To connect to the Internet, you'll need an Internet service provider (ISP) and some hardware:

  • ISP. An ISP is a company that gives you access to the Internet. You sign up for an account with an ISP just as you do for telephone service or utilities. ISPs are usually phone companies (for a DSL or fiber optic connection) or TV providers (for a cable or satellite connection).

  • Hardware. For a broadband connection, such as DSL, fiber optic, or cable, you'll need a broadband modem. This might be included as part of the start-up hardware from your ISP when you sign up for a broadband account. If you plan to share Internet access with multiple PCs by using a home network, you'll also need a router.

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Connect using broadband

After you have an ISP and you've connected your hardware, you might already be connected to the Internet. To find out, open your web browser and try visiting a website. If the website doesn't appear, try this:

Connect using mobile broadband

With mobile broadband technology (also called wireless wide area network or WWAN technology) you can connect to the Internet when you’re away from a typical wired or wireless network. To use mobile broadband, you need hardware (built-in or external) that will work with mobile broadband and a data plan with a mobile broadband provider.

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To set up a mobile broadband connection for the first time

  1. Activate your subscriber identity module (SIM) and the mobile broadband service for the SIM. Your mobile operator or device retailer will give you the info to do this.

  2. If you have an external mobile broadband device, make sure it's correctly inserted into the PC according to the manufacturer's directions, and make sure the wireless switch is turned on. The wireless switch is usually found on the front, side, or back edge of a laptop or tablet.

  3. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

  4. Tap or click Network, and then tap or click the name of your mobile broadband network.

  5. Change any autoconnect settings that you want to change, and then tap or click Connect.

  6. If you're prompted, choose or enter the access point name (APN) or access string, the user name, and the password. (You can find these in the info that came with your mobile broadband hardware or with your mobile broadband service.) You might also be able to buy a plan from the provider on this screen.

  7. Tap or click Next.

To connect to the Internet using mobile broadband

  1. Tap or click to view available networks.

  2. Tap or click the name of your mobile broadband network, and then follow the steps on your screen.

To change profile properties of a mobile broadband connection

To change connection profile properties such as the access point name (APN), access string, user name, password, or autoconnect settings, follow these steps:

  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

  2. Tap or click Network, and then tap or click the name of your mobile broadband network.

  3. Change the access point name (APN) or access string, the user name, and the password, as needed. (You can find these in the info that came with your mobile broadband hardware or service.)

To change roaming properties of a mobile broadband connection

  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

  2. Tap or click Network, and then tap or click the name of your mobile broadband network.

  3. Tap or click Scan.

  4. To have Windows automatically choose a network, select Automatically select (recommended). Or, to choose a network yourself, select the network name from the list, and then tap or click Register.

    Note

    Note

    If Windows can't connect to the network you specified, it will automatically choose a network.