Create an Ad-Hoc Network with Windows Vista

A couple weeks ago I wrote about WiPeer, a free utility that lets you create ad-hoc wireless networks between nearby notebooks. Turns out Windows Vista has the same capability baked right in. Here's how to set up such a network:

Click Start > Connect To.
Click Set up a connection or network.
Click Set up an ad-hoc (computer-to-computer) network, then provide a name and passkey for your network.

From there, other users can connect to your network by click Start > Connect To, then choosing your network and entering the passkey. Now you can share files between systems or even set up a meeting using Windows Meeting Space.