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Connectify Hotspot Review
#1
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Overview:

The internet become very important in our daily activities. You may have one or more devices at home or in your work (such as laptop, desktop, mobile, iPhone and so on ). Of course you will need all your devices to be connected to the internet so that it is easy for you to perform any activity or search you need. In this case you need to have a Wi-Fi router with an internet plan.  If you are using an old device (For example desktop with no wireless connection), you will need Ethernet (wired connection). 

No need to worry about anything, now we have a simple solution for all of this. Connectify Hotspot is a "Software Router". The program uses “virtual Wi-Fi technology “built into windows 7 and above to start its hotspot function even if you are connected to Wi-Fi network. It will transform your laptop into a true wireless hotspot using your usual internet connection.  This will help you to have good internet on all of your devices. It will also help you to have internet on your old computer through wired connection. In addition, it will extend the range of other Wi-Fi networks through the built in repeater tool.

You will not need to purchase a router or new internet plan, just use Connectify hotspot and it will turn your computer into a Wi-Fi router and share your internet with other devices

Homepage:

http://www.connectify.me/hotspot/

Download and installation:
 
You can easily download the free version from the homepage. Visit here and your download will start automatically http://www.connectify.me/download/
Size of the installer is around 9 Mb. The current version was released on June 10, 2016. The program is compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, and Server 2008 R2 and 2012. Windows XP and Vista are not supported. No special requirement is needed. You should have .NET Framework installed on your computer
 To install, double click on the installer and accept UAC access and license terms. The program will check for any software that may cause conflicts and notify you about it (for example Kaspersky internet security). Finally, software installation continue till a reboot is required. You can reboot or postpone for a later time. After reboot installation continue automatically, Connectify network server will be installed. Finally the program is installed and you can use it free (trial) or registered (if already purchased)

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Comparison of different versions:

The program is available in three versions; free (lite), pro and Max. Connectify Hotspot lite (free) gives you 14 days of unlimited uptime on connectify. You can get Lite license easily. Simply; Go to: http://www.connectify.me/lite-plus/ then select either Facebook or Twitter. After you click the button, popup will appear and let you post your share. Next, the popup will close and the page will automatically refresh to direct you to a form where you can enter your name and email address. The license (Lite) will be sent to this email address. You can easily activate it to enjoy your trial period
Connectify Hotspot Pro offers you premium features such as uninterrupted use and connect to all your devices. Upgrade to MAX license offers you more advantages and extended features such as WiFi Repeater Mode, Bridging Mode, and Custom DHCP/IP Controls.

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Purchase:

For different purchase options please visit here:
http://www.connectify.me/store/

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Activation:

After installation of your application, the first launch of the program will let you choose whether to use as a trial or Select "Already bought" to activate your account. Activation can also be done at any time using activate license under tools menu. Simply enter the username (email address) and password of your account (sent to you after purchase) and activate while connected to the internet. The machine you will activate the software on will be displayed with the email and license details. That’s all! If you want to reset or change your password, it can be done easily through the activation window.

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User Interface:

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The user interface is very friendly and easy to use. You don’t need any skills to use the program. There are two buttons present in the main page of the program; settings and clients. Settings button show three options namely Wi-Fi hotspot, Wired Router, Wi-Fi Repeater. Below each button there are some network and firewall settings to use. Below these settings there is “Start or Stop Hotspot” button. The other button (client) show connected devices, connected peers and previously connected clients. Above the two buttons you will find the name of your hotspot and the password. In the upper part there is the menu toolbar with three buttons; settings, tools and help. Every button has a menu that is of help to you. Here I will try to list these buttons

Toolbar menus:

Settings:

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Tools:

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Help:

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Features:

The program has basic features that are available in all versions including the Lite version which is free. Premium users (Pro and Max) have added features which need subscription if you like it

Create Wi-Fi hotspot that will be able to connect all devices
You can give Name and Password to your network
Easy file transfer between devices and peers (File Fling)
Can be used with any type of internet connection (Ethernet, DSL, WiFi, 3G, 4G, and many more)
Offers safe and secure internet sharing through WPA2-PSK encryption
Easy to use
Monitor network usage with real time graphs. You can detect how much data used by various clients
If you have pro and MAX Subscription you will enjoy extra features such as:
You can select IP and DHCP or let the program set it automatically
Let you easily share the Internet connection from your 3G or 4G LTE mobile broadband device.
Share your computer’s Wi-Fi connection via Ethernet so that older gaming consoles, computers, and any other Ethernet-only device can get online (Wired Mode).
Let you add custom hotspot name

Repeater mode: the program lets you extend the range of your home or office Wi-Fi

Bridging Mode: the program connects devices on your Hotspot directly back to the network you’re broadcasting.

Connectify Hotspot Development and New Features:

The program is in continuous development with new versions available. The most current version is 2016. To revise all the new features added you can visit this page:
http://www.connectify.me/new-release/

Detailed Guide to use:

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The program use is very easy and can be explained in steps. The most common mode used is the Wi-Fi Hotspot. The process is very simple. All you have to do is to select the internet you want to share or leave it automatic so that the program will automatically detect your internet settings. If you are not sure click on “help me pick” which will give you some tips on how to select your internet.

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Next specify network access; there are two options routed and bridged. Routed access means that internet traffic from the hotspot appears originating from your computer. In “Bridged mode” the internet traffic appears from the original network you are broadcasting. Usually the routed mode is used. The next step includes specification of name (SSID) and password of your hotspot (change of hotspot name is available for Max and Pro users). Other devices will find a wireless network with the name you have specified. If any device tried to connect your new hotspot, the password you put will be needed (same as routers). Firewall settings are present and include allow internet access and local network access. Both are checked by default so that your firewall settings don’t cause any troubles for you. Finally click “Start Hotspot”. That’s all!

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The other mode “Wired Router” lets you use your computer as a wired router that will help you with old devices (for example desktop with no wireless connection). You have to specify internet to share or leave it automatic, then network access in the same way as the hotspot. The next step is different as you have to specify “Share over”. This means how do you want to share the internet. Remember that you must select a port that is different from that used for the internet access of your laptop otherwise you will have an error.

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The third mode is the Repeater which allows you to extend any other Wi-Fi network. You must be automatically connected to that network, the security must be WPA2, select Wi-Fi Repeater button then apply settings. The program will broadcast an access point with the same SSID and password as the original network. Any connected client  will be bridged to the original network through the program.

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Clients button shows the currently connected devices with all details you need about and services available. Just hover you mouse over any client and you will get all information such as name, IP address, MAC address, vendor, upload, download, time and so on. You can easily detect all devices connected and the traffic used by each one. real-time usage graphs are available for each device connected. You are using a true hotspot!
Peers will also be shown. It means any other Connectify Hotspot on your local network. This will enable you to easily share any files you want

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Previously connected device will be present

You can share any file you want using the built in file fling feature. This is very useful tool as you will not need to send attached files or use USB devices anymore. you can share any files to the connected devices (clients), simply drag and drop the file to the connected device. If the device has the program installed, a notification will appear, if not installed the file will be uploaded to the web and can be accessed through the client web browser. All you have to do is to move the mouse over the client to detect it IP address and use it on the client browser with the port number added (for example: http://192.168.163.1:2987)

Firewall Configuration:

If your firewall causes any problems especially some security suites as Kaspersky internet security, you must configure the firewall in the way that Connectify important processes are added to the white list. These processes include: Connectify.exe, Connectifyd.exe and ConnectifyNetServices.exe.

The program settings:

Startup options:  let you specify if you want it to be automatically started with windows or not.
Display options: includes the options to show or hide the notification popups, access icons, services and news and banners
NAT Options (similar to routers): DHCP, Stealth mode, NXDomain handling, Upnp server and forwarding, pause on No internet and access host via any IP
Advanced options: File fling, network peer scanning, disable power management and allow sleep while running

If you have any problem and need help from the support team, simply select support from the help menu. There are many options for help. You can easily generate a log file, save it as zip file and send it via email.

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Also there is a built in tool that help you to check for common problems in Connectify Hotspot

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The program has a built in tutorial for new users to explain step by step guide for the program use

The program automatically checks for updates and if you want you can check manually at any time.

Pros:

Transform your computer into a real hotspot
Enable you to connect all your devices into a wireless network
Encrypted and secure network
Direct file transfer (File Fling)
Helps to connect old devices using wired routers feature
Easy to use
And many more

Cons: None

Conclusion:

Connectify Hotspot is not a simple Wi-Fi application. It is a full suite of powerful routing software (NAT, DNS, and DHCP) that lets you share any internet connection with any device that uses Wi-Fi. It will transform your PC into a true hotspot. You will be able to use your internet connection whatever its type on any device with Wi-Fi support. Old devices using only Ethernet are also supported using wired routers tool.
 
 
 For YouTube videos that can help you:

https://www.youtube.com/user/connectifyme/videos
 
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#2
okay now
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#3
Excellent review, Tarek. This software is very good for those who use wi-fi connections a lot as it can turn your laptops into a fully functional hotspots. Smile
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#4
Good review , thanks tarekma7
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#5
Great review Tarek.
Reply
#6
Excellent detailed review thank you as always Heart
Reply
#7
Good in-depth review. Thank you.
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