Installing Alfa AWUS036H on a Windows 8 Pro laptop
(Update July 6, 2015: it appears Microsoft's online database now includes the latest INF file for this device which is from Realtek from 12/2009. So you may not need to go through the manual process outlined in the video. Try the following process first, then try the video if no luck: You must be connected to Internet first through internal Wi-Fi or Ethernet for this to work. Go to Device Manager, go to Other section, and right click "RT81787" device, and select Update Driver. Then select "Search Automatically for Updated Driver Software". Allow wizard to finish. Note this process will not work if you do not have Internet access through your internal Wi-Fi card or built-in Ethernet when doing it.)
We have tested the Alfa AWUS036H 1000mW long range WiFi USB adapter on Windows 8. There is also a range comparison to the on-board WiFi card at the end.
On our Toshiba notebook, it was plug and play, no driver needed. In this video we also show how to install the driver manually in case it is not plug and play for you (for this part, expand the video window or put in full screen mode to see on-screen text clearly). There is no official Windows 8 driver for this product yet, so this video details how to install using the Windows 7 driver. The Alfa Client Utility program is not currently compatible, but you can use the Windows 8 Connection Manager to scan for and connect to networks. Let us know in the comments section below if installation was also plug and play for you.
Update 11/15/2013: No video? No problem. Click here to see an online Windows 8 driver install guide for AWUS036H from Alfa Network, Inc. Note that this guide pertains to any Realtek RTL8187L based device from Alfa including AWUS036EW, UBDo-gt8, and Tube-U(G).
Update 7/13/2014: Several buyers have referenced they had an easier time doing the install by taking these steps:
1. Computer must already be connected to Internet using internal WiFi, then plug in AWUS036H adapter
2. Press Windows key + X key on Windows 8 desktop screen and select "Device Manager" from the popup menu
3. Under Network Adapters, click this device once to highlight, then right-click and select Update Driver Software
4. Cick "Search Automatically for updated driver software
This may not work for everyone.
Update 3/19/2016: Our staff and some customers have found that the above process also works for many Windows 10 PCs. Some customers have not had success so this should be seen as a possible solution and not a guarantee of Windows 10 compatibility.
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Comments
Jose..Feliciano said:
I have a lenovo idealpad n580, with windows 8,..and the alfa awuso36h..but..no drivers..any help?
Thank’s
Rokland LLC said:
Have you tried plugging it in to see if it auto-installs? If that did not work, try downloading the Windows 7 driver from our Support page (link up top) and using the video above to do a manual video.
joe said:
works as describe.. wonderful… thank you
fabio said:
Asus win 8 pro
Fabio said:
Asus win 8 pro. Tried like the video but dont work, the installation go well but the device is not recongnized. And in device list it appear allways like an error
Fabio
eSGieF said:
It was plug and play for me as well on Windows 8 pro OS upgraded from Windows 7 Ultimate. No more bridging connections from my netbook! I bought a +9dBi 15" booster antenna upgrade and that is pulling in signals from alien space craft orbiting our planet (just kidding, but wow!) I love this adapter!!!
Robert said:
This does not work on a Mac running win 10
I also does not work on Mac 10.7
Jay said:
my awus036h read my laptop as unknown usb device. my laptop is acer aspire e5-471g. what should i do?thank you
Pat Fish said:
Does the Win8 driver for the Alfa AWUS036H work with Windows10 x64?
Are there drivers for the Alfa AWUS036H that run on Win10?