How to use Windows Connect Now to configure the wireless connection for your Xbox 360 console

Microsoft Windows Connect Now (WCN) technology makes it easy for you to add devices such as the Xbox 360 Video Game and Entertainment System to your existing home wireless network. You just have to follow these steps one time to add your wireless network settings to a USB flash drive. Then, for each Xbox 360 console that you want to add to your network, plug the USB device into the console and select the Windows Connect Now option in the dashboard.This article describes how to use the Windows Connect Now feature to configure the wireless connection for your Xbox 360 console.

To use WCN to configure the wireless settings for your Xbox 360 console, follow one of the sets of steps in this section. Click the link for the set of instructions that you want to follow:

• Windows XP instructions
• Windows Vista instructions
• Xbox 360 console instructions

Windows XP instructions

1. Plug a USB flash drive into a USB port on your computer.
   
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2. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Network and Internet Connections under Pick a category.
   
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3. On the Network and Internet Connections page, click Wireless Network Setup Wizard.
   
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4. On the Welcome to the Wireless Network Setup Wizard page, click Next.
   
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5. On the Create a name for your wireless network page, type the name of your existing wireless network. The network name that you type must exactly match the name that you used for your wireless network. Click Next.
   
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6. On the How do you want to set up your network? page, click Use a USB flash drive, and then click Next.
   
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7. On the Save settings to your flash drive page, click the drive letter for your USB flash drive in the Flash drive list. If you only have one flash drive, it is automatically selected. Then, click Next. The Wireless Network Setup Wizard saves your settings to the USB flash drive.
   
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8. See the "Xbox 360 instructions" to transfer these settings to your console.

Windows Vista instructions

1. Plug a USB flash drive into a USB port on your computer.
   
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2. Click Start
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   , click Control Panel, click Network and Internet, and then click Network and Sharing Center.
3. Click Setup a wireless router or access point, and then click Next.
   
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4. On the Setup a home or small business network screen, click Next.
   
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5. After the Detecting Hardware and network setting screen, the following screen is displayed. Click Create wireless network settings and save to a USB flash drive, and then click Next.
   
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6. Type the name of the wireless network to which you want to connect. (This names is also known as the SSID.) Then, click Next.
   
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7. Type the password or passphrase for your wireless network, and then click Next. The name that you type must exactly match the name that you gave your wireless network. Your wireless network settings will now be saved to your USB flash drive.
   
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8. See the Xbox 360 instructions to transfer these settings to your console.

Xbox 360 console instructions

For the New Xbox Experience (NXE) version of the Xbox 360 Dashboard

If you use the New Xbox Experience version of the Xbox 360 Dashboard, your dashboard resembles the following image:


On your Xbox 360 console, follow these steps:

1. Select System Settings.
2. Select Network Settings.
3. Select Configure Network.
4. Select Wireless Information.
   
   Note Make sure that your wireless adapter is connected to the rear of the console. Otherwise, this option will not be available.
5. Select Windows Connect Now.
6. Connect your USB flash drive to the USB port on your Xbox 360 console. When you receive a message that states "Windows Connect Now Settings have been found," select OK to apply your wireless settings.

For the Legacy (pre-New Xbox Experience) version of the Xbox 360 Dashboard

If you use the older version of the Xbox 360 Dashboard, your dashboard resembles the following image:


On your Xbox 360 console, follow these steps:

1. Go to the System area.
2. Select Network Settings.
3. Select Windows Connect Now.
4. Connect your USB flash drive to the USB port on your Xbox 360 console. When you are prompted, select Test Xbox LIVE to apply your wireless settings.