Network Location Stuck In Public Mode

1. Is this a wired or wireless connection issue? A: Both.
2.Internet Service Provider? A: Verizon.
3.What type of Broadband connection are you using? A: DSL.
4. Make and Model of your Modem and Router? A: Modem - Westell 6100G, Router - Linksys E2500.
5. Internet Security/Antivirus? A: ESET Smart Security 4

There are 3 images below of ip configuration for 2 pc's (wired) and 1 laptop (wireless)


I have a desktop pc running Win 7 64bit and I can no longer share files within my "Home Network". Opened "Network and Sharing Center" to check the settings (refer to images) and, under "View Active Networks", it shows my router (Linksys 01) with network location as "Home Network" and I am joined. When I click on "Home Network" to open "Set Network Location" window, It shows that it is in "Public" mode, so I click on "Home Network" and close out the window. Back in "Network and Sharing Center", again it shows "Home Network". Again I click on "Home Network" to check and there it is, in "Public" mode again. In Windows Explorer, (see images) when I click on the Homegroup icon, it just shows "No other homegroup computers are currently available", I'm assuming because it's in "Public" mode. I have no problems accessing the internet though. Downloaded and ran "MSFixit Home Network - 50725", suggested in another thread. No luck with that.
I rebooted pc, reset modem, router and checked my firewall settings which are set in sharing mode. Made sure windows firewall was disabled since I'm using firewall in ESET Smart Security. Recheck "Network and Sharing Center" with same results, stuck in "Public" mode. Now I'm checking my 2 other computers on the network, 1 pc (wired) and 1 laptop (wireless) with the same identical issues existing, both are also stuck in "Public" mode. There are 2 more desktop pc's that I don't presently have access to at the moment. I'm not sure what else to do. It's like all 3 of my computers were set/reset in to "Public" mode and locked. I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to networking. Could the issue originate from modem or router? If anyone has some insight regarding this issue, I would be very grateful for sharing your ideas or solutions. Thanks in advance.

Baron

I by no means I'm I a network expert. I do have a thought until a expert comes along.

ESET Smart Security might have public network locked. Their might be a setting in that program you can change.

@Layback Bear, Thanks for your input. I was looking into that yesterday and found nothing obvious. I'm presently reading up on ESET's firewall settings.

EDIT: The image below shows protection mode ESET's firewall is in.

I will see if I can find someone for you.

Sorry it took so long.

I went back to the ranch and requested help.
Hang in there. They are all over the globe in different time zones.

Have you tried this?

Windows 7 Network connections are stuck in Public mode

Update - Ops, I should have read all the way through. How about the manual method?

Xeno no expert mate but have a look at this and try the manual method
Fix Windows 7 Network Connection Stuck In Public Mode - gHacks Tech News