How to use connectify to share files between 2 laptops, one running Windows 7?

Question

I have 2 laptops one running XP and another Windows 7. Both have WiFi-card installed. I want to be able to share files between these 2 machines and then in next step also be able to share internet connection.

I have heard that Connectify on Windows 7 is a very handy and easy tool to set up a hotspot and other machines even XP,Vista can connect to this host hotspot and share files and internet connection.

I am able to search for the network (set on host) on my client machine. But how to share files? I don't see any such menu or anything.

Also after I have installed connectify on Windows 7, I am not able to connect to internet using data card. It throws error that "Error 31:A A device attached to the system is not functioning".

And on client machine, if I connect to data card, as well as connect to wireless network setup by host machine, I no longer am able to access internet, even though the data card is connected. The browser throws error:

Please help.

Any other utility similar to connectify etc?

Solution

What type of hotspot are you creating? You should create an ad-hoc hotspot in connectify and browse shared folders in "Network".

If it doesn't work out, use a free tool called ipmessenger. It will enable sending files over standard windows ad-hoc wifi. But, it wont enable browsing of shared folders.

One more option, you can probably use standard windows ad-hoc connection for file sharing and connectify for internet sharing.

Comments

[100rabh]

What's the WiFi card/chipset on the Windows 7 system?

[p2pnode]

how to find this?

[100rabh]

Use Speccy

[Pigasus]

The Connectify website mentions that you need the Pro version in order to "Browse Shared folders and other services in your network". Are you using basic? Also, what is your internet setting in Connectify on the Win7 PC? If you are using basic, it looks like the default setting might be "No internet sharing".