Connect Cellular to Windows using TPE-USB 4G USB Adapter
Although the USB modem from ThinkPenguin works well with GNU/Linux, it might not seem to function when plugged into a Windows system (at least not out of the box). This article will guide you through the necessary steps to connect your cellular network to a Windows device using a TPE-USB 4G USB Adapter.
Key Concepts and Components
To successfully connect a cellular network to your Windows system, you will need a proper 4G USB adapter compatible with your cellular provider's network and the appropriate drivers to allow Windows to recognize and connect to the device.
Locating Compatible Drivers
The primary issue with connecting a TPE-USB 4G USB Adapter to a Windows system is that the necessary drivers might not have been pre-installed. To resolve this, you can follow these steps:
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Visit the support website of both your Windows computer and cellular provider. Look for available driver downloads compatible with your device's USB adapter version.
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If the drivers are unavailable, consult the manufacturer's website for a generic set of drivers that will run on the Windows OS version you are using.
Installing the Drivers
After locating the compatible drivers for your USB adapter, follow these instructions for a Windows 10 installation:
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Plug the 4G USB adapter into an available USB port.
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Right-click the Start button and select "Device Manager" from the context menu.
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In the Device Manager window, click on the "
Action" tab and choose "Add legacy hardware" from the menu. -
Click "
Next" and then choose "Install the hardware that I manually select from a list" and click "Next". -
From the list of available devices, select "
Network adapters" and click "Next". You can then look for a driver that matches the adapter and click "Have Disk". Then locate the folder where you saved the downloaded drivers and follow the remaining prompts.
Configuring the Cellular Connection
With the appropriate drivers installed, you can now configure the cellular connection following these steps:
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Right-click the Start button and select "Settings" from the menu.
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Click on the "
Network & Internet" category and then "Cellular" on the left-side menu. -
If your adapter is listed, click on it and click "
Properties". If it is not listed, click "+ Add a cellular connection" at the bottom and follow the prompts, selecting the correct adapter when questioned. -
Check the "
Connect automatically" option and click "OK".
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Connecting a cellular network in Windows using a TPE-USB 4G USB Adapter might initially require additional steps as the necessary drivers might not be pre-installed.
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Locate the compatible drivers from the manufacturers' websites or your cellular provider's support site.
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Install the drivers using the "
Device Manager" and following the instructions provided earlier. -
Configure the cellular connection through the "
Network & Internet" settings.
References
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Microsoft. (n.d.). Add legacy hardware to Windows 10. Retrieved from -
ThinkPenguin, Inc. (2022). About ThinkPenguin. Retrieved from