You can now configure your desktop PC as a virtual WiFi router if it supports wireless connections, for instance by having a wireless network interface controller installed.

Probably the best option to configure the system to become a virtual wireless router is with the help of third party programs like Virtual WiFi Router or Virtual Router.

Virtual Router is a free software that is compatible with Windows 7 and Windows 2008 R2. It uses the operating system’s Wireless Hosted Network feature to turn the computer into a WiFi hotspot.

Virtual Router is a free, open source software based router for PCs running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2. Using Virtual Router, users can wirelessly share any internet connection (Wifi, LAN, Cable Modem, Dial-up, Cellular, etc.) with any Wifi device (Laptop, Smart Phone, iPod Touch, iPhone, Android Phone, Zune, Netbook, wireless printer, etc.) These devices connect to Virtual Router just like any other access point, and the connection is completely secured using WPA2 (the most secure wireless encryption.)

When you start the program for the first time you are asked to configure the new virtual router. You have to pick a name, password and select the shared wired connection for Internet access.

The program uses WPA2 encryption by default with no option to turn that off. This could be a problem if you need to operate devices that do not support the security standard. Then again, you might want to consider upgrading those devices as they reduce the network’s overall security. You can download Virtual Router from the project’s Codeplex website. Some of the supported devices are listed here on the product homepage.

Virtual Wi-Fi Router is the second program that can be used to turn a wired computer system into a wireless hotspot.

You need to configure the virtual router on first run by clicking on Configure and selecting a Wi-Fi name and password after selecting the wired Internet connection of the computer.

All that’s left to do then is to start the virtual wireless connection to allow other devices to use it to connect to the Internet.

The program is also only compatible with Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and newer systems. It furthermore appears to need the Microsoft .Net Framework that ships with the operating system.

Both programs are free to use even for non tech-savvy users. There is not a lot to configure and provided that the setup is supported by the operating system it should be up and running in less than a minute.

Virtual Router is another application released a few days ago as beta that makes use of the virtual Wifi options in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Unlike Connectify though it has been released at Codeplex which suggests that the program will remain free even after it has been released in a final version.

The program’s interface contains only a few options. The Start Virtual Router button being the most important. This button is only active if the computer uses a supported wireless adapter. Other options include changing the network name, password (recommended as the default password is always the same). Virtual Router uses WPA2 Encryption to provide a solid protection for the wireless network.

Virtual Router can be downloaded from the program’s Codeplex page. It is only compatible with Microsoft Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 and requires a compatible wireless adapter.

You might be wondering why anyone would ever need multiple WLAN adapters on the same PC, well to be honest, you don’t need but its sometimes good to have. In any case where you’re connected to an existing wireless access point and want to connect to another network whether that be a separate access point or even set up an ad-hoc connection, Virtual WiFi will allow you to do just that. But perhaps the scenario that is more appealing is the idea of a mesh network. In a mesh network, every client becomes a repeater, growing the network organically as more clients connect. Virtual WiFi enables this, since every client can become an access point too.

Connectify is a first beta software program that makes use of the Virtual Wifi capabilities of Windows 7. Windows 7 users can use the Connectify software to share the Internet connection of their computer system through a secure WPA2 encrypted hotspot. Other computer devices with wireless capabilities can connect to the hotspot to make use of that connection.

The program is currently provided as a beta version after registration on the Connectify homepage. Configuration of the service requires the following steps:

To get started, click on the Connectify logo in the Notification Tray.

1. Select the Internet connection you wish to share
2. Choose a name for your new wireless network
3. Choose a wireless passphrase
4. Press the Internet Sharing button to turn on your wireless network
5. Now, from your other devices, you can see your wireless network. Choose to join it, and enter the wireless passphrase to connect.

It is expected that the public release version will turn commercial with the likely probability that free software alternatives will be released eventually. Connectify is only compatibly with Windows 7 at this point. The software can be downloaded from the Connectify homepage.