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How to Connect an XBox 360 to the Internet With a Laptop

Microsoft sells two wireless networking adapters that allow the Xbox 360 console to connect to a wireless network, such as a home router. However, the cost of purchasing one of these adapters might not be worth the price because many people already have capable adapters at home: their Windows-based laptops. The Xbox 360, like many Microsoft products, can connect to a Windows XP OS or higher and share its wireless connection. This process is called "bridging," and a laptop is the perfect adapter because of its portability.

Things You'll Need

Ethernet cable
Windows XP or newer

Instructions

- 1
  Turn on both your console and laptop and connect them with an Ethernet cable. This local area network connection will allow your Xbox 360 to share the Internet with your laptop.
- 2
  Open the "Network Connections" menu on your laptop to view the local area network connection and wireless connection. Check the tips section for individual instructions for your operating system.
- 3
  Highlight both the icons representing your "Local Area Network" connection and wireless connection by holding the "CTRL" key and clicking once on each icon.
- 4
  Right-click either of the highlighted icons, then click "Bridge connections." Once the bridge completes, your Xbox 360 will be able to connect to Xbox Live.

Xbox 360