Methods and systems are described for simplified creation of, connection to, and termination from an ad hoc wireless network. Graphical user interfaces are used to guide users though creation and joining ad hoc network. The option to share one user's Internet connection with the entire ad hoc network is also described. The ad hoc networks described can provide some managed services traditionally unavailable in ad hoc networks, such as IP address assignment and name resolution services. The ad hoc networks can be created with termination criteria, such that a computer's connection to the ad hoc network is automatically terminated and previous network configuration settings are restored when one or a combination of termination criteria are met.