Windows 7 - question about network Home/work or Public

Hi
i use Windows 7 on my desktop to connect to the net
i use a lot of emails and firefox
i connect to the net via lan & router
1 pc

in the Windows 7 Change advantage sharring
i have
home/work
Public(current profile)
and they are both enabled

i did not understand the different between home/work and public

should i keep both enabled ?
or should i turn off one?

thanks
best regards

I won't pretend to be an expert on the subject, since I only started using a LAN network recently myself, but since there is only 1 PC involved, and you say nothing about needing to connect to some other network via the internet, I don't understand why you need either? Perhaps if you explained more fully as to how you use a network it would help get a better answer.

EDIT: Rethinking the question and what I said, it dawned on me that the OS treats peripherals such as routers, modems and printers as part of a network. If your network is limited to these, all that you need is to setup a home network, not work or public.

The difference between Home, Work & Public refers to the sharing policy you're currently using. For example, setting your location to Home allows you to share and is a trusted network. Work functions pretty much the same. Public on the other hand is to be used when you're using a public internet connection. It will turn off your sharing and not allow others to see your computer.

As seeker said, you don't need to worry about what network you're on if you're the only computer on your network.

If you have more questions, read this article: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...twork-location

If you are on a single computer, the Public profile makes more sense since it's more secure.

The difference between Work and Home is a little harder to explain...

A "Home" network is useable only by an all Windows 7 network. XP, Linux or Mac mixed in will cause all kinds of screwiness. It is basically an Open network, joined by a single password and supports media sharing, network cataloguing and several other useless new features.

A "Work" network is XP style file sharing where you use usernames and passwords to connect to other computers. Sharing is controlled by user account and share permissions that can be made very safe. When you have mixed OSs at play this is the only networking that's going to behave properly for you.

Does that help?

If it doesn't help the OP, it helps me, because that since I multi-boot Linux distros, I had wondered how to network to them.

Well... it's not entirely as simple as flipping the display name...

For Mac or Linux compatible sharing you need to set the OS itself to a do windows compatible networking ... the Worgroup name has to be the same on all computers (XP didn't seem to care about this but Windows 7 does...)

After setting to Work Network... In Windows 7 set the following:

In Control Panel -> Network and Sharing -> Advanced sharing options -> Work or Home
Turn Network Discovery ON
Turn File and Printer Sharing ON
Turn Pubilc folder sharing OFF (this can be changed once it's working)
Set File Sharing Connections to 40 bits encryption.
Turn Password Protected Sharing OFF
Enable User Accounts and Passwords for sharing

In Folder Options -> View
Turn off The Sharing Wizard

In Control Panel-> Administrative Tools -> Services
Set Computer Browser to Manual
Set Homegroup Listener to Manual (Disable if it starts)
Set Homegroup Provider to Manual (Disable if it starts)
Set SSDP discovery to Automatic.

In Control Panel -> Network and Sharing -> Adaptor Settings -> Local area (or Wireless) Connection -> Right Click-> Properties
Uncheck Internet Protocal V6.

Reboot your computer.


Then once you make your shares... you should be all set.