This tutorial guide will show you how to share your Windows VPN connection. You will learn how to set up a hosted network or “virtual router” through the command prompt.

Note: Do not connect to the LimeVPN server before starting this process. 

Before starting, you need to verify whether your computer can support creating a virtual router. Press the Windows logo key (⊞) + S to launch the search bar, then type cmd to bring up Command Prompt. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. 

For Windows 8:                     

 For earlier versions of Windows:                 

In the command prompt, type the following:

Hit Enter.

If you see “Hosted network supported : Yes,” then your network adapter can create a virtual router.If you do not see this message, you may need to update your network adapter drivers.

In the command prompt, type the following:

Name your virtual router by setting the following values:

ssid=[choose a name for your network]

key=[choose a password for your network]

Hit Enter

You will then see this message:

The hosted network mode has been set to allow.

The SSID of the hosted network has been successfully changed.

The user key passphrase of the hosted network has been successfully changed.

Congratulations! You have successfully created a virtual router. 

To start your virtual router, type the following in the command prompt:

Hit Enter. 

 If the virtual router starts successfully, you will see a message that says, “The hosted network started.”

If you get a message saying the hosted network could not be started, please update your network adapter drivers.

To share your virtual router, you need to identify the name of the connection. Open the Run prompt by pressing the Windows logo key (⊞) + R, or by clicking the Startbutton. Type ncpa.cpl, then hit Enter or OK.           

In the Network Connections window, you should now see your new Wi-Fi connection in your list of network adapters. The description will show the ssid name that you assigned earlier. Note the name of the connection.

Now, look for a network connection with the description “LimeVPN Tap Adapter.”  

Right-click on it and select Properties. 

In the Properties window, click the Sharing tab and check the box for Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.

Under “Home networking connection,” select your newly created virtual router from the dropdown menu. (This is the one you identified earlier.) Then click OK. 

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile hotspot.

Toggle your Mobile hotspot to Off.

For non-Windows 10 users:

To disable your virtual router, return to the command prompt and type the following:

You will see a message that says, “The hosted network stopped.”