[vinny_the_hack]

I am using a usb wireless network device on my windows 8 desktop to connect a laptop (and chromecast). Whenever I restart my desktop for any reason, I need to define and start my ad hoc wireless network again by opening a cmd prompt (with admin power) and issuing two commands. I did a little research and found a folder in windows to place user "startup" commands/apps, so I created a file named define_wifi.bat and placed it here:

 

"C:\Users\Melanie\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\define_wifi.bat".

 

The file contains the following:

 

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=wifinet key=wifipass

netsh start hostednetwork

 

When I log into windows (on my admin account), about 20 seconds later, I see the cmd screen appear for a split second and then disappear, so I know the file is at least "seen" by windows, but apparently, my wireless network is not defined/started. What is wrong or what can I do to troubleshoot this issue? Thanks ahead of time.

 

Note: I have a technical background, but don't know all the ins and outs of Windows.

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Hi,
 
The problem is that the script running that way will not have the needed Administrator rights.

 

Also you should move the script to some other place like c:\MyScripts or something like that and add only a shortcut to "C:\Users\Melanie\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\" pointing to c:\Myscripts\define_wifi.bat then you can edit the shortcut properties and on the Advanced options put a check on the option Run as Administrator. Doing this way the script should work but you will get a security prompt every time you logon.

 

Alternatively to the shortcut you can set a task on Task Scheduler to avoid the security prompt when the script starts, you can find a guide for that here.

[SleepyDude]

Hi,
 
The problem is that the script running that way will not have the needed Administrator rights.

 

Also you should move the script to some other place like c:\MyScripts or something like that and add only a shortcut to "C:\Users\Melanie\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\" pointing to c:\Myscripts\define_wifi.bat then you can edit the shortcut properties and on the Advanced options put a check on the option Run as Administrator. Doing this way the script should work but you will get a security prompt every time you logon.

 

Alternatively to the shortcut you can set a task on Task Scheduler to avoid the security prompt when the script starts, you can find a guide for that here.

[vinny_the_hack]

Thanks, SleepyDude. I'll mull your two suggestions over and report back.

[vinny_the_hack]

Strange goings-on. I moved the .bat file back to my desktop, created a shortcut and moved it to the startup folder. I then set the shortcut to "run as administrator". I manually stopped the network, logged off and on and waited. There was no run window shown and no command prompt, but the network did not start.

 

While I was pondering this, I right-clicked on my .bat file and happened to notice I could just run the file as administrator right there, which I did, and after the security prompt, the network started. It seems to me trying to get it to started at Login time or scheduling it as a task is more work than it's worth. I'd just as soon just run the file from my desktop whenever I reboot.

 

Thanks for your help, without which, I might never have stumbled on/realized the easier way to do this.

[SleepyDude]

Hi,

 

Strange goings-on. I moved the .bat file back to my desktop, created a shortcut and moved it to the startup folder. I then set the shortcut to "run as administrator". I manually stopped the network, logged off and on and waited. There was no run window shown and no command prompt, but the network did not start.

 

What happens if you click the shortcut created by opening the Start Menu > All Programs > Startup ?

 

In my opinion the Desktop isn't a good place for the Bat. If you move it for c:\windows for example you can create a shortcut on the Desktop with the option to always run as Administrator without the need of right click in case you decide to do it manually.