▷ How to switch from a public network to a private network in Windows

When a Windows computer connects to a network (regardless of whether it is a wireless network or a wired network), registers the network as a public network or a private network. In a private network, a Windows computer is visible to all other Windows computers on the network and can share printers and files. On a public network, Conversely, a Windows computer cannot be seen by other Windows computers on the network, and printers and files cannot be shared for privacy reasons.

Private networks are basically designed to be your home and work networks, networks where you know all the other computers on the network and the idea of ​​sharing printers and information with them is good for you. Public networks are each and every other network: networks that you do not necessarily trust and networks with computers that you are not completely comfortable with sharing information and printers. Sometimes, Windows may make mistakes detecting the type of network you are connecting to and ends up registering the network as the wrong type. What's more, you can also configure a specific network as a public network to keep your privacy and security when connecting to it, but you may want to make it a private network once you know you can trust it or when you want to share information. Y / or printers with other computers on the network.

Fortunately, However, it is completely possible to change a public network to a private one on a Windows computer, and users can do it on all versions of Windows operating system currently supported by Microsoft. However, converting a public network to a private network works a little differently in different iterations of Windows. Without any more preambles, this is how you can turn a public network into a private network on a windows computer and clear the path for file and printer sharing on the network:

In Windows 7

If you are using a Windows computer 7, you can change a public network that you are connected to a private network simply …:

1. Click the Network icon in the notification area of ​​your computer's taskbar.

2. Click Open Network and Sharing Center.

3. In the See your active networks section, you should see the name of the public wired or wireless network that your computer is currently connected to, and below there will be a link that says Public network. Click Public Network.

4. In doing so, the Set Network Location wizard opens, where you can choose one of three different network location options for the selected network: Home network, Work network or Public network. Both the home network and the work network are private networks, so just click on the one that best suits your needs. As soon as i do, the selected network location will be changed from Public to whatever network location you choose.

In Windows 8

Changing a public network to a private network is a bit more complicated in Windows 8, as you need to make sure you have the correct preferences set for both public and private networks first, especially if it is the first time you change the locations of a network. on your computer. To ensure that the public and private networks are configured correctly, should:

1. Right-click on the Network icon in the notification area of ​​your computer's taskbar.

2. Click Open Network and Sharing Center.

3. You will be able to see the name of the public network you are connected to and the fact that Windows has identified it as a public network in the View your active networks section. Click Change advanced sharing settings in the left panel.

4. Expand the Private section and make sure the following options are enabled:

   Enable network discovery

   Enable file and printer sharing

   Allow Windows to manage group connections at home

5. Collapse the Private section, expand the Guest or Public section and make sure the following options are enabled:

   Disable network discovery

   Disable file and printer sharing

6. Click Save Changes.

Once i have done this, you are done setting up both network locations on your computer. Close the Advanced Sharing Settings window and proceed to actually change the location of the network you are currently connected to from public to private. To do it, simply:

1. Navigate to your computer desktop.

2. Open the charms bar by pressing the Windows logo key + C or simply hovering over the lower right corner of your desktop.

3. Click on Settings.

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5. Right-click on the network your computer is connected to and click Turn Sharing On or Off.

6. Click Yes, enable sharing and connect to devices to change the network from public to private. Changes will take effect as soon as you do, but don't worry if the network still shows up as a public network in the Network and Sharing Center; will continue to function as a private network.

In Windows 8.1

Convert a public network to a private network in Windows 8.1 it is much easier than its predecessor. To change the location of a network on a Windows computer 8.1 from public to private, should:

1. Open the charms bar by pressing the Windows logo key + C or by placing the mouse in the lower right corner of your computer desktop.

2. Click Change PC Settings once the charms bar appears.

3. Click Network. Now a screen will appear with a list of all the network connections of your computer (both wired and wireless).

4. Locate the toggle for the Search for devices and content feature and turn it on. By activating this function in, other devices are obtained from the network of which the computer is part to not only see the computer as part of the network but also to communicate with it and share information and peripherals with it. This option is disabled by default for all public networks in Windows 8.1, so activating it automatically turns a public network into a private network without doing anything else.

In Windows 10

The latest and greatest version of Windows aims to provide an easy-to-use experience while offering more features and possibilities than any of its predecessors.. Being so, convert a public network to a private network in Windows 10 it's pretty easy. All you need to do is:

1. Click the Network icon in the notification area of ​​your computer's taskbar. This icon will be a small computer (if your computer has an Ethernet connection) or a Wi-Fi icon (if your computer is connected to a network wirelessly).

2. Click on Network and Internet Settings.

3. If your computer is connected to the network you want to switch from a public network to a private network wirelessly, click Wi-Fi in the left pane of the window. If your computer is connected to the network using an Ethernet cable, click Ethernet in the left pane of the window.

4. In the right pane of the window, click on the network your computer is currently connected to. This network will have the Connected status visible directly below it.

5. In the Network Profile section of the selected network, click the radio button next to Private to configure it as a private network. Everything is done!

If you were unable to change the network location your computer is connected to using the conventional method, don't fear: there is another universal method that can be used to manually force a network location change on any version of Windows operating system. To convert a public network to a private network using this method, needs to:

1. Press the Windows logo key + R to open a Run dialog.

2. Type secpol.msc in the Run dialog and press Enter.

3. In the left pane of the window that appears, click Network List Manager Policies.

4. In the right pane of the window, locate the list that has nothing below its Description section; this list could be called Network or it could be called something else depending on the network your computer is connected to. Double click on this listing.

5. Navigate to the Network Location tab of the Network Properties window that appears.

6. In the Location Type section, click the radio button next to Private to select it.

7. Click Apply and then OK.

As soon as i do, you will have successfully forced a location change on the network to which your computer is currently connected, from public to private.