Q: Windows won't connect to iphone 5 wifi hotspot

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2756

Well, this is a bit tough because Windows 8 is not yet supported by Apple in relation to using it with an iPhone.  To test if the function works on the iPhone can you try to connect another computer or device to Hotspot over wi-fi?

edit: the supported OSs for computers are listed here:

http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html

Have you tried to connect another device to the hotspot, besides the Windows 8 computer? Is there something else you can test over wifi to see if it is the personal hotspot or the computer.

Yup, try connecting something else to it, then you'll know where the problem lies.

That should help to narrow down where the problem may lie. Good luck and let us know.

Yep

I would say it might have to do with how the laptop connects to wifi. It could be a driver issue, but since you are using Windows 8, I feel anything should have been updated. Does the laptop connect to wifi anywhere else? Can you check that somewhere?