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How to Connect an Xbox 360 to a Laptop With Vista

The Microsoft Xbox 360 can be used for more than just playing video games. It's possible to connect the console to your home network and use it to browse the media (music, photos, video, etc.) on any Windows Vista̵1;based desktop or laptop computer using the same router. All that is required is that you connect to a common network and then configure the software in your Xbox 360 and laptop computer so they recognize each other.

Things You'll Need

Microsoft Xbox 360
Ethernet cable or wireless adapter
Internet router
Laptop running Microsoft Windows Vista

Instructions

- 1
  Connect your Xbox 360 to your home network using an Ethernet cable or wireless adapter.
- 2
  Turn on your Xbox 360 and navigate to the "My Xbox" section. Select "Windows Media Center," then press "Y" to add a new connection. Press "A" to generate a new eight-character Windows Media Center key. Note down this key.
- 3
  Open your laptop's Start menu and choose "All Programs." Click "Windows Media Center."
- 4
  Scroll to the "Tasks" tab of Windows Media Center and select "Add Extender."
- 5
  Enter the eight-digit Windows Media Center key from Step 2 and click "Next."
- 6
  Click "OK" to confirm that Windows Media Center can modify your laptop's firewall setup to recognize your Xbox 360. Wait for the software to finish modifying your laptop's configuration to allow access from your Xbox 360; then click "Finish."
- 7
  Use your Xbox 360's control pad to navigate the media library of your laptop and play and display music, videos and photos through your console.

Xbox 360