I purchased this to replace an old Rosewill N150 PCI wifi adapter. This adapter uses a Qualcomm Atheros AR9227 chipset. TP-LINK does not have Win 8.1 drivers for this adapter but Windows 8.1 will install Microsoft Qualcomm Atheros drivers that work for me with this wifi adapter. DO NOT install the drivers or software from the included disk.
I have not had any freeze ups and have been streaming video with no problems. I paired this up with a TP-LINK TL-ANT2408C 2.4GHz 8dBi Indoor Desktop Omni-directional Antenna and am getting 5 bar signal strength at ~40' from my router.
Mine came with a low profile bracket.
Microsoft says this wireless adapter is compatible with Windows 8, but NOT with Windows 8.1.
www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/CompatCenter/ProductDetailsViewer?Type=Hardware&Name=TP-Link+TL-WN851ND+Wireless+Network+Adapter&ModelOrVersion=&Vendor=TP-LINK&Locale=&LastSearchTerm=&BreadcrumbPath=&TempOsid=Windows+8
www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/CompatCenter/ProductDetailsViewer?Type=Hardware&Name=TP-Link+TL-WN851ND+Wireless+Network+Adapter&ModelOrVersion=&Vendor=TP-LINK&Locale=&LastSearchTerm=&BreadcrumbPath=&TempOsid=Windows+8.1
I purchased this adapter because my MB only has a PCI slot. I found Windows 8 and 8.1 drivers and thought they would work with this adapter. They do not. www.atheros.cz/atheros-wireless-download.php?chipset=33&system=7
TP-Link has posted on numerous sites that this adapter will not work with Windows 8 and 8.1 and in their product description nowhere does it say it supports Win 8 or 8.1, so don’t blame them. They have stated that Windows 8 and 8.1 will install a Windows 8/8.1 Microsoft Qualcomm Atheros driver and it’s hit or miss if it works. The driver works for me but I have read that others are still getting freeze-ups with the Microsoft driver.
There is another method that others have posted that they have had success with in Windows 8 and 8.1, running the TP-Link drivers in Windows 7 compatibility mode. I have tested this and it works.
1. Download the latest drivers from here: www.tp-link.us/download/TL-WN851ND.html#Driver unzip them, and copy the folder to a flash drive or to your hard drive if accessible.
2. Scroll to the top left of your screen and open the side charm bar, or press Windows key +C
3. Click on Search and type in Troubleshooting, click on Troubleshooting
4. In Programs click on Run Programs made for previous versions of Windows
5. Click on Next and select Not Listed
6. Select Browse and go to the location you downloaded the driver to. Click on the folder and select the Setup.exe file
7. Click Next and select Troubleshoot Program
8. Select Windows 7.
9. Click on Test the Program. Install the TP-Link drivers. If you previously installed the TP-Link drivers and software it will ask you to Repair or Uninstall. Select Uninstall. And then Install. When it gets to the Setup window chose Install Drivers Only.
10. When done click next and click on Yes, save these settings for this program and click on Finish.
11. Open Control Panel, Device Manager, expand Network Adapters, right click on TP-Link 300 Mps Wireless N adapter and click on Properties, click on Driver. It should say TP-Link, 10/23/2010, 8.00.376, Microsoft Wireless Hardware Compatibility Publisher. If it is still running the Microsoft Qualcomm Atheros driver you will have to manually uninstall it and repeat the procedure.
Usually any hardware that's compatible with Windows 7 is compatible with Windows 8. TP-Link and Qualcomm need to get off their collective butts and come up with stable Windows 8/8.1 drivers. But this is a 5 year old PCI wifi adapter so I doubt that will happen.
| Wireless Type | 802.11n, 802.11b, 802.11g |
|---|
