Internet on iPad via adhoc wifi hotspot

Scroll down for the solution, read on for some trial-and-error background info.

When no direct wifi internet connection is available, then it is possible to use the internet connection of wired Windows PC. The only requirement is that the PC needs to also have a wireless (wifi) network card.

It is possible to use internet connection sharing (ICS) on Windows to setup an adhoc wireless network and connect to this network from the iPad:

• Control Panel -> Network and sharing center -> Setup a new network or connection -> Set up wireless adhoc (computer to computer) network -> Next
• Give the network a name
• Security type: WPA2-Personal
• Give the network a password (security key) of at least 8 characters
• Click "Turn on internet connection sharing"
• Select the LAN internet connection when asked "Select the internet connection that you want to share"
• iPad -> Settings -> Wi-Fi -> Select the network, type in the password

I couldn't get this to work properly. I tried all of the following:

• "Turn on internet connection sharing" does not appear. Try a solution posted by sinnerman on windows7forums.com:
  
  • Open Network and Sharing Center
  • Go to Change Adapter Settings
  • Find the adapter for the default internet connection (it was a PPPOE in my case)
  • Right click on that -> Cancel as Default Connection
  • Right click -> Properties -> Sharing tab
  • Uncheck "Allow other network users to connect ..." if it is not
  • Setup the ad-hoc as explained above, the Turn on Internet connection sharing should appear.
• Disable Windows Firewall. If you have another one, for example Bitdefender, then there is/might be a direct option to allow ICS.
• Allow other users on internet connection:
• Control Panel -> Network and sharing center -> change adapter settings -> select internet connection -> Properties -> Sharing -> Check "Allow other network users to connect ..."
• Set a policy that allows you to use ICS: 
• Start gpedit.msc.
• Local Computer Policy -> Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Network -> Network Connection
• Set "Prohibit use of Internet Connection Sharing on your DNS domain network." to false

Solution

• Download Connectify. It is freeware
• Install and allow the software to install drivers
• Start Connectify and start easy setup wizard
• Give the network a name, next
• Give the network a password, next
• Select the connection (wired/LAN) through which there is an internet connection
• iPad -> Settings -> Wi-Fi -> Select the network, type in the password.

The connection from the iPad is lost when unused for a couple of minutes. When using, for example, Safari on the iPad, the connection is quickly restored via a popup that lets you select from wifi networks. Sometimes this is not even necessary and safari restores the connection automatically.