How to enable ad-hoc networking on Windows 7 Starter Edition

Windows 7 has multiple versions, each with its own set of features to distinguish one from the other. The Windows 7 Starter Edition lacks several features found in the Premium version, one of which is ad-hoc networking. Actually, Starter Edition does support ad-hoc networking; it just takes an extra step to get the feature.

Ad-hoc networking is a computer-to-computer connection that can share information between devices. It’s often a quick solution for sharing between users when a centralized network isn’t available or dependable. Though there isn’t a shortcut to Ad-hoc networking in Windows 7 Starter Edition, the feature is available simply by doing a Start Menu search for the word “adhoc”. Yes, it’s that simple. Go to the Start Menu and type in the word “adhoc” to see it.

The Microsoft website has this to say about ad-hoc networking:

A computer running Windows 7 Starter can’t create or be part of an ad hoc network (also called a computer-to-computer network). Ad hoc networks are often used for a specific purpose, such as playing a multiplayer computer game.

In light of that statement, it’s natural to wonder why Starter Edition owners can so easily gain access to something that Microsoft claims they shouldn’t be able to use. Windows 7 already includes all the necessary files to set-up ad-hoc connections, so this could just be a strange oversight that Microsoft will correct in the next update patched to Starter Edition users. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this workaround until that possibility proves to be reality.

Workaround courtesy of [Within Windows]