Sharing Internet Connection in Windows 7 is so much more frustrated than Windows XP

Question

Back to the time of Windows XP, from Properties dialog of my Wireless Connection, I can enable sharing and then select LAN network from the Drop Down List and boom, I can share it with my friend. We just need a LAN cable (either cross or not-cross is OK) and his Laptop will get an auto IP to gain access to internet.

But now with the new Windows 7, everything starts to suck. I cannot see the Drop Down List any more in the sharing panel and my friends Laptop cannot get an automatic IP anymore.

Am I doing anything wrong over there? How can I gain back the peace I used to have with Windows XP?

Answer 1

From the Windows 7 help on Internet Connection Sharing:

To enable ICS (Internet Connection Sharing), on your host computer:

• Click to open Network Connections.

• Right-click the connection that you want to share, and then click Properties. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

• Click the Sharing tab, and then select the Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection check box.

  Notes

  • The Sharing tab won't be available if you have only one network connection.

  • You can choose whether to select the Allow other network users to control or disable the shared Internet connection check box.

  • Optionally, to allow other network users to use services running on your network, click Settings, and then select the services you want to allow.