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Enhanced WireGuard VPN Client for Windows
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Share a VPN Connection via Wi-Fi Hotspot with WireSock Secure Connect ​

Introduction ​

Some devices cannot run a VPN app, or it is inconvenient to set one up on each of them: a smart TV, a game console, a tablet, or the phones of family members while traveling. If you have a Windows PC with a Wi-Fi adapter, you can connect it to your VPN server with WireSock Secure Connect and share that connection through the built-in Windows Mobile hotspot. Devices that join the hotspot then use the VPN connection of the PC.

Sharing a VPN connection via Wi-Fi hotspot

Using the legacy WireSock VPN Client 1.x/2.x?

This guide is for WireSock Secure Connect 3.x. For the legacy console client wiresock-client.exe, see the legacy guide.

Prerequisites ​

  • A Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC with a Wi-Fi adapter.
  • A regular internet connection on that PC (Ethernet or Wi-Fi).
  • A connection profile (.conf file) for a WireGuard or AmneziaWG server — from your VPN provider or your own server. WireSock Secure Connect does not include VPN servers; see Where to Set Up a VPN Server.
  • WireSock Secure Connect 3.x installed. Download it from the download page.

Step 1. Connect to the VPN ​

  1. Start WireSock Secure Connect.
  2. Import your connection profile into the app.
  3. Select the profile and click Connect.

WireSock Secure Connect main window with a connected profile

Step 2. Turn on Mobile hotspot ​

  1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile hotspot.
  2. In Share my Internet connection from, select your regular internet connection (Ethernet or Wi-Fi).
  3. Set a network name and a strong password.
  4. Turn on Share my Internet connection with other devices.

Windows Mobile hotspot settings

Step 3. If you use split tunneling by application ​

If all traffic of the PC goes through the VPN, skip this step.

If your profile or the global settings use a Tunneled applications list (only the listed apps use the VPN), the traffic of hotspot devices is not tunneled by default: for WireSock it belongs to the Windows system process. To send it through the VPN:

  1. Open Preferences → Profiles, select your profile and click Edit, then open the Split tunneling tab. (If you use the global list instead, open Preferences → Network → Apply split tunneling to all profiles.)
  2. In Tunneled applications, type system in the text field and click +. See Split Tunneling.
  3. Save the profile and reconnect.

Edit Profile, Split tunneling tab: system added to Tunneled applications

WARNING

Together with hotspot devices, system traffic of the PC itself (for example, access to shared folders) will also go through the VPN. Entries are matched by name, so other processes whose names contain system may be tunneled as well.

Step 4. Check the connection ​

  1. Connect a phone or another device to the hotspot.
  2. On that device, open Check IP.
  3. The IP address shown should be the address of your VPN server.

Troubleshooting ​

  • Devices cannot connect to the hotspot: make sure the hotspot is on and that you entered the correct network name and password.
  • Devices connect, but the IP address is not the VPN server's: if you use a Tunneled applications list, add system (Step 3) and reconnect.
  • The hotspot does not start: update the Wi-Fi adapter driver and make sure your adapter supports Mobile hotspot.
  • If the problem persists, restart the PC. You can also contact us via

Security considerations ​

  • Use a strong, unique password for the hotspot.
  • Keep Windows and WireSock Secure Connect up to date.