Can I connect a friends desktop to mine so we get internet

[Tacobite]

BACKSTORY: My friend is coming over and bringing a computer, however he doesn't own a wifi adapter and being next to my router is not an easy option considering we're 2 floors apart. I looked up methods on passing the connection through my computer to his. Most methods we're demonstrated with laptops though.

 

Just making sure if it can work desktop to desktop with an ethernet cable. Will it slow down my connection at all if it does work in the end however?

 

Websites I looked up:

 

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-share-your-laptops-internet-access-with-ano.html

[Marxtai]

If it works for laptop, then I don't see why it wouldn't work for desktops as well. Maybe all the articles mention laptops because typically desktops are connected via ethernet, and laptops have built-in Wifi adapters.

[Judahnator]

um... you could go buy a wifi adapter? They are $15

[Tacobite]

um... you could go buy a wifi adapter? They are $15

Well he's coming over like right about now or so. Just wondering if we can achieve it without having to go back to the store

[Gung Pow Chicken]

Well he's coming over like right about now or so. Just wondering if we can achieve it without having to go back to the store

simple answer no...you'll have to go to the store. 

[pwn_intended]

Run a long ethernet cable?

[TheGeeker]

Can ypu just bring the router up and use it a a switch? Plug the modem into the wall and use the router just closer to you

[Chronos5618]

You can bridge the connection between two devices, and allow one to share the internet of the other? 

[Ciccioo]

it should work, yes.

[LasersPewPew]

You should be able to turn a second ethernet port on your computer and turn it into a switch so your friend can connect his computer to that port and connect online that way. But your system needs to have a min of 2 ports. Unless both your computers have wifi support.

[tt2468]

Any sort of internet connection sharing through your computer will have performance issues, because everything is done with software. You would need a switch, or, if you really want to share your connection, the computer would need 2 ethernet ports, one for connecting to the router and one to connect to your friend's computer.

[brwainer]

Either I have misunderstood the OP, or everyone else has. If one computer is connected wirelessly, and they both have an ethernet port, you can connect an ethernet cable between them and share the internet connection through it. Setting it up can be difficult though - be careful when following tutorials because they will typically be set up for sharing the internet from ethernet to wifi, and you want to go from wifi to ethernet. Windows doesn't care which is which, they are both network adaptors.

Edit: just because you can doesn't mean it will be good though, I'd recommend getting a wireless adaptor for the next time your friend comes over