Set Up Internet Connections in Windows XP

Does XP support Wi-Fi?

What to Know

  • Go to Network Connections > Connect to the Internet > select how you want to set up your connection.
  • Select Choose from a list of Internet Service Providers to look for your ISP. If not listed, select Set up my connection manually.
  • Select dial-up modem, a broadband connection that requires a user name and password, or a broadband connection that is always on.

This article explains how to set up an internet connection in Windows XP.

As of April 8, 2014, Microsoft is no longer supporting Windows XP. We recommend upgrading to Windows 10 to continue receiving security updates and technical support.

How to Set Up Windows XP Internet Connection

In Windows XP, a built-in wizard allows you to set up network connections of various kinds.

  1. To access the internet section of the wizard, go to Network Connections and choose Connect to the Internet. You can make broadband and dial-up connections through this interface.

  2. The Getting Ready page presents three choices:

    • Choose from a list of Internet Service Providers: Gives instructions to set up an account with an ISP, then make the internet connection through that new account.
    • Set up my connection manually: Sets up connections for existing ISP accounts (username and password are ready for use).
    • Use the CD I got from an ISP: Use when possessing an installation CD-ROM from one of the service providers.
  3. Select Choose from a list of Internet Service Providers to see if your ISP is listed.

    By default, the first option Get online with MSN is selected. To set up a new connection to MSN, select Finish. To set up a new connection to another ISP, choose the second option, then select Finish. Both of these options lead to additional setup screens for dial-up internet services that were popular in the early 2000s.

  4. If your ISP isn't listed, choose Set up my connection manually.

    This wizard assumes you are using an existing account. Manual connections require the username (account name) and password from a working ISP service. Dial-up connections also require a telephone number; broadband connections do not.

    Screenshot of ISP Name in XP Connection Wizard
  5. The next step presents three options to create a manual connection:

    • Connect using a dial-up modem: Works for phone line internet services (either traditional dial-up or ISDN).
    • Connect using a broadband connection that requires a user name and password: Works for DSL and cable modem internet services that use PPPoE.
    • Connect using a broadband connection that is always on: Works for DSL or cable modem services that do not require a username and password as specified in their service agreement.
  6. If your ISP provided you with a CD to set up your internet connection, select Use the CD I got from an ISP.

Windows XP displays this option for instructional purposes. Service providers typically create setup CDs to include all the necessary setup data for an operating system in a self-contained package. Selecting Finish exits the wizard and assumes that the user has inserted the appropriate CD to continue the process. Modern broadband internet services generally do not require using setup CDs.

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