A drop-down menu offers the choices of Web only Web and Audio Web, Audio, and Video or all Web, Audio, and HD Video. I then selected the type of Internet usage typical for that room. You can also add your own custom entries, but, unfortunately, they aren't saved if you do another scan or close the software. By default, the choices in the menu are Bedroom, Kitchen, Library, Lobby, Master Bedroom, and Office. I selected my SSID, and then-the fun part-I selected different rooms in my home from a drop-down menu named Location. It's generally a negative the closer to zero that number is, the stronger the signal. This is a measure of the signal strength from your router or access point. The most useful information-signal strength measured in dBm (Decibel-milliwatts)-also shows up on this page. Wi-Fi Helper correctly identified my test router as a Netgear device, for example. The program shows additional details about your network, including the channel, the MAC address of the access point, and the access point's manufacturer. A drop-down list on the home screen allows you to select your network's name (its SSID), the first step in kicking off the performance analysis. The application's interface opens to a list of all wireless networks in proximity to the Wi-Fi adapter. ![]() The setup process is quick and simple, involving nothing more than clicking through a series of install steps, which puts a shortcut on your desktop. MetaGeek recommends that the adapter be of the 802.11n or 11ac variety. ![]() It could be an on-board adapter, a wireless PCI card for desktops, or a USB adapter. Of course, the computer running Wi-Fi Helper needs a Wi-Fi adapter. System requirements for running this app include at least an 800-by-600-resolution display, 4GB RAM, and Microsoft's. I'd love to see versions for mobile OSes and OS X, which would spur wider adoption. Quite frankly, inSSIDer Wi-Fi Helper does not offer much more functionality than the original inSSIDer.Ĭurrently, Wi-Fi Helper only runs on Windows (Vista, XP, 7, and 8). That's expensive, particularly when compared with MetaGeek's original inSSIDer software, which costs $19.99 with no time-use limitations. It's a little pricey: For $9.99 you only get 30 days of use, or you can purchase a year subscription for $69.99. Wi-Fi Helper is available for download from MetaGeek (Opens in a new window). Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. The app provides insight and recommendations about your wireless network specific to each room in your house. However, in the living area, where you may have an entertainment system, you'll likely want to stream HD video. For instance, if you have a home office, you may only need to browse the Web from that room. ![]() You can perform these tests for every room in your home. Wi-Fi Helper analyzes your network's performance, then recommends the best router settings to help you perform tasks such as browsing the Internet or streaming HD video. Wi-Fi Helper includes some of the best elements of the excellent inSSIDer software and it offers some useful information, but it's a bit thin on specific advice about how to optimize a Wi-Fi network, and it has some other issues. Its latest app, inSSIDer Wi-Fi Helper (from $9.99 per month), attempts to help inexperienced users tweak their Wi-Fi networks for optimal performance. ![]() MetaGeek, the maker of our Editors' Choice networking software utility inSSIDer, traditionally makes software for techies. Limited Internet traffic usage choices.Doesn't store custom locations for future use.How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.
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