Guide to Port Forwarding from Hotspot to PC on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Instructions

Key Notes

• Port forwarding enables external connections to a device in a private network.
• Ensure administrative privileges to set up port forwarding.
• You can use the Windows Firewall, Windows Terminal, or NAT rules for configuration.

How to Efficiently Forward a Mobile Hotspot to a PC on Windows 11/10

Port forwarding is a crucial process that allows external internet traffic to communicate with devices in a private network. In this guide, we will cover how to set up port forwarding for your mobile hotspot to a PC running Windows 11 or 10, ensuring smooth gaming or application accessibility.

Step-by-Step Guide for Hotspot Port Forwarding

Setting up port forwarding involves a few methods which include:

1. Windows Defender Firewall
2. Windows Terminal
3. NAT rules within Virtual Machines

Ensure your mobile hotspot is turned on and that you have administrator rights before proceeding.

Identify the IP Address Range of Your Windows Hotspot

Follow these steps to find the IP address range of your mobile hotspot:

• Press Win + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.
• In the Command Prompt, type ipconfig and hit Enter.
• Locate the adapter labeled as Local Area Connection or vEthernet (Internal Network) that corresponds to your hotspot.

Your PC’s hotspot IP address will generally follow the format x.y.z.1/24, designating IP addresses available to connected devices ranging from x.y.z.1 to x.y.z.24.

Step 1: Configure Port Forwarding Using Windows Firewall

To set up port forwarding using Windows Defender Firewall:

• Search for Windows Defender Firewall in the search bar and select it.
• Right-click on Inbound Rules and choose New Rule.
• Select the Port option and click Next.
• Choose the protocol (TCP/UDP) and enter the specific port numbers.
• Select Allow the connection and continue by clicking Next.
• Designate the profile that will use this rule (Domain, Private, Public) and hit Next.
• Enter a name for your rule and click Finish.

Step 2: Set Up Port Forwarding with Windows Terminal

You can also configure port forwarding via Windows Terminal:

• Open Command Prompt by typing cmd in the search bar.
• Run ipconfig to find your network address.
• Use the following command to add a port forwarding rule:

netsh interface portproxy add v4tov4 listenport=8080 listenaddress=192.168.1.10 connectport=8080 connectaddress=192.168.1.10

This command establishes that incoming traffic on local port 8080 is redirected to the same port on your local machine.

Step 3: Establish NAT Rules in a Virtual Machine

For Virtual Machines to utilize port forwarding, execute the following:

• Open Hyper-V Manager.
• Navigate to Virtual Switch Manager and create a New Virtual Network Switch.
• Decide on Internal or Private options for the switch and name it accordingly.
• Attach a network adapter to the VM and link it to the operating virtual switch.

Next, enter the following command in the VM’s Windows Terminal:

netsh interface portproxy add v4tov4 listenport=80 listenaddress=0.0.0.0 connectport=8080 connectaddress=192.168.1.10

Summary

This article outlined the essential steps to successfully forward a mobile hotspot to a PC on Windows 11/10. We covered the necessary tools, identified the IP range, and provided detailed procedural steps for using Windows Firewall, Command Prompt, and Virtual Machines.

Conclusion

Port forwarding is a valuable skill for users looking to facilitate external connections to their devices. By following this guide, you’ll establish robust port forwarding for successful hosting and application performance, enhancing your network’s functionality.