Connect to the Internet
To connect to the Internet, you'll need an Internet service provider (ISP) and some hardware:
ISP. An ISP is a company that gives you access to the Internet. You sign up for an account with an ISP just as you do for telephone service or utilities. ISPs are usually phone companies (for a DSL or fiber optic connection) or TV providers (for a cable or satellite connection).
Hardware. For a broadband connection, such as DSL, fiber optic, or cable, you'll need a broadband modem. This might be included as part of the start-up hardware from your ISP when you sign up for a broadband account. If you plan to share Internet access with multiple PCs by using a home network, you'll also need a router. For info about connecting your home network to the Internet, see Connect your home network to the Internet.
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After you have an ISP and you've connected your hardware, you might already be connected to the Internet. To find out, open your web browser and try visiting a website. If the website doesn't appear, follow these steps:
Connect to a network by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Settings (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Settings), and then tapping or clicking the network icon (
or 
). Tap or click the network you want to connect to, and then tap or click Connect.
With mobile broadband technology, also called wireless wide area network (WWAN) technology, you can connect to the Internet when you’re away from a typical wired or wireless network. To use mobile broadband, you need hardware (built-in or external) that will work with mobile broadband and a data plan with a mobile broadband provider.
Show allActivate your subscriber identity module (SIM) and the mobile broadband service for the SIM. Your mobile operator or device retailer will give you the info to do this.
If you have an external data card, make sure it's correctly inserted into the PC according to the manufacturer's directions, and make sure the wireless switch is turned on. The wireless switch is usually found on the front, side, or back edge of a laptop or tablet.
View a list of available networks by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Settings (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Settings), and then tapping or clicking the network icon ( or ).
Press and hold or right-click the name of your mobile broadband network, change any autoconnect settings that you want to change, and then tap or click Connect.
If you're prompted, choose or enter the access point name (APN) or access string, the user name, and the password. (You can find these in the info that came with your mobile broadband hardware or with your mobile broadband service.) You might also be able to buy a plan from the provider on this screen.
Tap or click Next.
View a list of available networks by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Settings (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Settings), and then tapping or clicking the network icon ( or ).
Tap or click the name of your mobile broadband network, and then follow the steps on your screen.
To change connection profile properties such as the access point name (APN), access string, user name, password, or autoconnect settings, follow these steps:
View a list of available networks by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Settings (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Settings), and then tapping or clicking the network icon ( or ).
Press and hold or right-click your mobile broadband network, tap or click View connection properties, and then tap or click the Profile tab.
Change the APN or access string, the user name, and the password, as needed. (You can find these in the info that came with your mobile broadband hardware or service.)
Under Autoconnect, you can select either or both of the following options:
Connect automatically
Allow data roaming
View a list of available networks by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Settings (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Settings), and then tapping or clicking the network icon ( or ).
Press and hold or right-click your mobile broadband network, tap or click View connection properties, and then tap or click the Roaming tab. (The Roaming tab is only available when you're roaming.)
To allow Windows to automatically choose a network, select Autoselect (recommended). Or you can select a network name from the list, and then tap or click Register.
