aka.ms/networksetup explained

Where the link goes

When we checked on 16 October 2026, aka.ms/networksetup forwarded to a Microsoft Support article on support.microsoft.com titled Get connected when setting up your Windows device. It applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11. Since the PC you are setting up cannot open web pages yet, open the link on your phone or another computer.

Why Windows setup wants the internet

Microsoft says a connection during setup lets the PC get the latest features, security updates and drivers straight away, and that an internet connection is required to finish setting up a device running Windows Home or Pro. Its Windows 11 specifications page adds that Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro for personal use need internet connectivity and a Microsoft account during initial setup. So on most home PCs, getting online is not optional; the fixes below are about getting there.

Fixes to try on your router

• Restart the modem and router. Unplug both, wait at least 10 seconds, plug the modem back in and wait for its lights to settle, then plug in the router and give both a few minutes. Everyone on your Wi-Fi is briefly disconnected while you do this.
• Check the network name is visible. If your Wi-Fi does not appear in the list at all, make sure the router is set to broadcast its network name (SSID). Your router's manual explains how.

Fixes to try on the PC you are setting up

• Turn on the Wi-Fi switch if your laptop has a physical one, and move closer to the router.
• Re-enter the Wi-Fi password carefully and confirm you picked the right network.
• Try the other band. Many routers show separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. If one fails, try the other.
• Use a cable. If the PC has an Ethernet port, plug it straight into the router. A USB-to-Ethernet adapter can help if it does not.
• Use mobile data if the PC has a SIM slot or eSIM.

When no Wi-Fi networks appear at all

An empty network list with an error usually means Windows does not have a driver for the PC's Wi-Fi adapter yet. Microsoft describes an advanced fix for this case:

1. On another computer, download the Wi-Fi driver for your exact model from the PC or adapter manufacturer's own website.
2. Copy the driver files to a USB flash drive. Microsoft notes that the .inf file must sit in the root of the drive, not in a subfolder. If the download is an .exe installer instead, it may simply need to be run.
3. Plug the USB drive into the PC and press Shift + F10 during setup to open a Command Prompt.
4. Find the USB drive letter with diskpart and then list volume.
5. Install the driver with pnputil /add-driver D:\*.inf, replacing D: with your drive letter, then run pnputil /scan-devices if needed.

Only download drivers from the manufacturer's official support site. Driver "updater" tools and download sites found through ads are a common source of unwanted software.

Fixes using another device

• Test the Wi-Fi on a phone or another PC. If nothing can connect, the problem is the router or your internet provider, not the new PC.
• Share your phone's connection. Turn on your phone's mobile hotspot and pick it from the Wi-Fi list on the PC. Microsoft suggests marking that connection as metered afterwards to reduce data use while setup finishes.

After you are connected

Once the PC is online, setup carries on with the remaining steps, including signing in with a Microsoft account on Home and Pro editions. Microsoft explains that being connected lets the PC pick up the latest security updates and drivers straight away, so the first start can take a little longer than usual. When you reach the desktop, open Settings and then Windows Update to install anything still pending, and use your PC maker's own support app or website for any remaining device drivers.

Can you skip the network step?

Many people search for a way to skip it. Microsoft's help article does not offer one for Windows Home or Pro; its advice is to get connected using the options above. Work and school PCs set up by an organization may follow a different process, so if the device belongs to your employer or school, ask your IT team before trying anything else. Be careful with scripts or modified installers from forums or videos: they are not supported by Microsoft and can stop working after updates.

Checking whether a PC can run Windows 11 at all? See aka.ms/windowssysreq. Other Microsoft short links are listed in the aka.ms links directory, and how to use an aka.ms link explains the basics.

Sources

• Microsoft Support: Get connected when setting up your Windows device
• Microsoft: Windows 11 specifications (internet connection and Microsoft account)