Step-by-Step Guide to Set Up Hotspot Port Forwarding on Windows 11

Setting up a mobile hotspot on Windows 11 and configuring port forwarding can enhance your ability to manage network traffic efficiently. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you through this process.

How to set up a Windows 11 hotspot and configure port forwarding

1. Set up a mobile hotspot

1. Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Network & Internet, then select Mobile hotspot to enable it.
3. Under Share my Internet connection from, choose the network adapter you wish to use (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
4. Activate the Share my Internet connection with other devices toggle.
5. Click on Edit in the Properties section.
6. Input a network name (SSID) and a password for your hotspot, then click Save.

2. Configure port forwarding

1. Press Win + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
2. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click “Yes” to grant permission.
3. Use the netsh command to set up a port forwarding rule. Replace the placeholders with your specific details: netsh interface portproxy add v4tov4 listenport=[ListenPort] listenaddress=[ListenAddress] connectport=[ConnectPort] connectaddress=[ConnectAddress]
4. For example: netsh interface portproxy add v4tov4 listenport=8080 listenaddress=192.168.1.1 connectport=80 connectaddress=192.168.1.100
5. This command will forward traffic from port 8080 on your hotspot to port 80 on the connected device with the IP address 192.168.1.100.
6. To verify the rule, enter this command: netsh interface portproxy show all
7. Open Windows Defender Firewall by typing firewall in the Start menu and selecting Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security.
8. Select Inbound Rules, then click on New Rule.
9. Choose Port and click Next.
10. Select either TCP or UDP and enter the port number you specified in the port forwarding rule.
11. Allow the connection and follow the prompts to finalize the rule setup.
12. Connect a device to your Windows 11 hotspot.
13. Utilize a tool like telnet or a web browser to test the port forwarding configuration by accessing the forwarded port.

By completing these steps, you will successfully set up a mobile hotspot on Windows 11 and configure port forwarding to effectively manage network traffic.

If you decide to discontinue the hotspot, blocking the Windows 11 hotspot is also straightforward.

Share your experience in the comments if you successfully configured port forwarding on your Windows 11 hotspot.

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