Skip to content
Follow
Windows

How to Enable or Disable Mobile Hotspot in Windows 11

Richard
Written by
Richard
Mar 12, 2026 Updated Aug 13, 2026 3 min read
How to Enable or Disable Mobile Hotspot in Windows 11
How to Enable or Disable Mobile Hotspot in Windows 11

Mobile hotspot in Windows 11 turns your PC into a wireless router so you can share your internet connection with other phones, tablets, or laptops nearby. This built-in tool works whether your computer gets online through Wi-Fi , an Ethernet cable, or cellular data.

You need administrator permissions on your PC to turn the hotspot on or off. Keep in mind that sharing a cellular connection will use up data from your mobile plan.

⚡ Quick Answer

You can enable or disable the mobile hotspot in Windows 11 via Settings Network & internet Mobile hotspot. Toggle the switch to turn it on or off. For advanced control on Pro/Enterprise editions, use the Local Group Policy Editor.

Option 1Use Local Group Policy Editor (🪟 Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education)

Editions like Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education include the Local Group Policy Editor (a built-in administrative tool for managing system configurations). This interface handles network policies directly.

  1. Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run box.
  2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter. This opens the Local Group Policy Editor.
  3. In the left sidebar, go to:

    Computer Configuration Administrative Templates Windows Components Network Network Connections
  4. In the right pane, find and double-click Prohibit use of Internet Connection Sharing on your DNS domain network.

To Enable Mobile Hotspot (Default Setting):

  • Select Not Configured.
  • Click OK.

To Disable Mobile Hotspot:

  • Select Enabled.
  • Click OK.

The Local Group Policy Editor window closes upon completion.

Example screenshot:

windows 11 disable hotspot sharing
windows 11 disable hotspot sharing
Windows 11 Local Group Policy Editor showing hotspot sharing disabled setting
Windows 11 Local Group Policy Editor showing hotspot sharing disabled setting


Option 2Use Registry Editor (All Windows Versions)

Windows editions lacking the Local Group Policy Editor utilize the Windows Registry for mobile hotspot modifications.

⚠️Caution
Incorrect edits can cause system instability, so always back up the Windows Registry (a hierarchical database storing low-level operating system settings) before proceeding.

To Enable Mobile Hotspot (Default Setting)

🗝️Registry
reg delete "HKLMS\OFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Network Connections" /v NC_ShowSharedAccessUI /f

To Disable Mobile Hotspot

💻Code
You can turn off the Windows 11 mobile hotspot feature on any edition of Windows 11 by using the Registry Editor. This involves opening Notepad, copying a specific code to disable the hotspot, saving it as a .reg file, and then running that file to apply the change.
  1. Open Notepad.
  2. Copy and paste the code for enabling or disabling above into Notepad.
  3. Save the file with a .reg extension, for example, mobile_hotspot_enable.reg or mobile_hotspot_disable.reg.
  4. Double-click the saved file and confirm any prompts to add the information to your Registry.
  5. Restart your PC to apply the changes.

Summary

  • You can turn on or off the mobile hotspot feature in Windows 11 using two main ways: the Local Group Policy Editor or the Registry Editor.
  • The Local Group Policy Editor method works only on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education.
  • The Registry Editor method works on all Windows 11 editions.
  • Make sure you're an administrator to make these changes.
  • Always back up your Registry before making any changes to avoid problems.
  • Sharing your internet is useful, but be careful if you use cellular data since it can use up your data plan quickly.

Managing the Windows 11 mobile hotspot relies on either the Local Group Policy Editor or the Registry Editor. Group Policy applies to Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education variants, whereas the Registry functions across all Windows 11 releases. Administrative credentials and a registry backup remain prerequisites for implementation.

Does 🪟 Windows 11 support mobile hotspot?

Windows 11 - Turn Mobile Hotspot On / Off Here's how to turn Mobile Hotspot for your Windows 11 device on or off. If your device isn't running Windows® 11, refer to the Windows 10 instructions.

Why can't I set up a mobile hotspot on my PC?

Update your network adapter driver If it's outdated, you may not be able to connect to a hotspot. On the taskbar, type Device Manager in the search box. Select Device Manager Network adapters. Right-click your adapter (like Intel® Dual Band Wireless).

Was this guide helpful?

Tags: #Windows 11
Was this helpful?
Richard

About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.

📚 Related Tutorials

How to Turn On or Off Mobile Hotspot Power Saving in Windows 11
Windows How to Turn On or Off Mobile Hotspot Power Saving in Windows 11
How to Turn On or Off Mobile Hotspot in Windows 11
Windows How to Turn On or Off Mobile Hotspot in Windows 11
How to Share Mobile Hotspot QR Code in Windows 11
Windows How to Share Mobile Hotspot QR Code in Windows 11
How to Reset Group Policy Windows 11 to Default
Windows How to Reset Group Policy Windows 11 to Default

No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *