How to Set a Wireless Connection on a Desktop Computer

1. Check the manual that came with your wireless router to see its signal range. Ensure the router is placed within range of your desktop computer.
2. Connect your wireless router to your Internet modem if you have not already done so. Connect an Ethernet cable between the ports on the back of both the modem and the router. The correct Ethernet port on the router will be marked as 'Internet,' 'WAN' or 'Wide Area Network.'
3. Bring up the Windows 'Start' menu on your desktop computer and navigate to 'Control Panel.' Click 'Network and Sharing Center.' With Windows Vista, click 'Network' instead and choose the 'Networking and Sharing Center' icon at the top of the window.
4. Choose the 'Setup new connection or network' option. Select 'Setup New Network' if your desktop runs Windows 7, or select 'Setup wireless router or access point' if your desktop has Windows Vista installed.
5. Follow the Windows networking prompts to choose a name and password for your wireless network. Note what you choose for both the name and password, as they are needed later. Click 'Finish.'
6. Close the 'Network and Sharing Center' window and return to the desktop area. Locate the 'Networking' icon in the 'Notification' area at the lower-right corner of your computer's screen if you use Windows 7.
7. Right-click the icon to bring up a list of detected wireless networks. Click the network name you noted down and type your password in the box. Hit 'Connect.' If your desktop runs Windows Vista, instead open the 'Start' menu and click the 'Connect To' option. Click the network name and type the password.