 | | Welcome to Windows 7 Forums. Our forum is dedicated to helping you find solutions with any problems, errors or issues you are experiencing with Windows 7. The Windows 7 forum also covers news and updates and has an extensive Windows 7 tutorial section that covers a wide range of tips and tricks. | Windows 7 - Network Location - Set as Home, Work, or Public Network
Network Location - Set as Home, Work, or Public Network How to Set the Windows 7 Network Location Type
Published by Brink
12-02-2009
| Network Location - Set as Home, Work, or Public Network How to Set the Windows 7 Network Location Type  Information This will show you how to change the Windows 7 network location to be either a Home network, Work network (private), or Public network type.
During the installation of Windows 7, or the first time that you connect to a network, you must choose a network location. Based on the network location you choose, Windows automatically assigns a network discovery state to the network and sets the appropriate Windows Firewall and security settings for that type of network location. If you connect to networks in different locations (for example, a network at your home, at a local coffee shop, or at work), choosing a network location can help ensure that your computer is always set to an appropriate security level.  Note There are four network locations: - Choose Home network for home networks or when you know and trust the people and devices on the network. Computers on a home network can belong to a homegroup. Network discovery is turned on for home networks, which allows you to see other computers and devices on the network and allows other network users to see your computer.
- Computers on a home network must belong to a workgroup, but they can also belong to a homegroup. A homegroup makes it easy to share pictures, music, videos, documents, and printers with other people on a home network.
- A homegroup is protected with a password, but you only need to type the password once, when adding your computer to the homegroup
- Choose Work network (private) for small office or other workplace networks. Network discovery, which allows you to see other computers and devices on a network and allows other network users to see your computer, is on by default, but you can't create or join a homegroup.
- All computers are peers; no computer has control over another computer.
- Each computer has a set of user accounts. To log on to any computer in the workgroup, you must have an account on that computer.
- There are typically no more than twenty computers.
- A workgroup is not protected by a password.
- All computers must be on the same local network or subnet.
- Choose Public network for networks in public places (such as coffee shops or airports). This location is designed to keep your computer from being visible to other computers around you and to help protect your computer from any malicious software from the Internet. HomeGroup is not available on public networks, and network discovery is turned off. You should also choose this option if you're connected directly to the Internet without using a router, or if you have a mobile broadband connection.
- The Domain network location is used for domain networks such as those at enterprise workplaces. This type of network location is controlled by your network administrator and can't be selected or changed.
- One or more computers are servers. Network administrators use servers to control the security and permissions for all computers on the domain. This makes it easy to make changes because the changes are automatically made to all computers. Domain users must provide a password or other credentials each time they access the domain.
- If you have a user account on the domain, you can log on to any computer on the domain without needing an account on that computer.
- You probably can make only limited changes to a computer's settings because network administrators often want to ensure consistency among computers.
- There can be thousands of computers in a domain.
- The computers can be on different local networks.
 Warning If you know you will not need to share files or printers, the safest choice is public network. OPTION ONE For Unidentified Networks 1. See: How to Set Unidentified Networks to be a Private or Public Network Location OPTION TWO For Identified Networks 1. Open the Control Panel (all items view), and click on the Network and Sharing Center icon. 2. Under Network, click on either the Home network, Work network, or Public network link depending on what you currently have selected as your network location. (see screenshot below)   3. Select a location that fits your network location needs. (see screenshot below) 4. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes. 5. The network location has now been changed to what you selected in step 3. Click on Close. (see screenshots below)   6. When done, close the Network and Sharing Center. That's it,
Shawn |  Published by | | Administrator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 34,653 | |
 Tutorial Tools | | | | | | | | | |
01-14-2010
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#1 | | Windows 7 Professional x64 |
Looks like when the network location is "public" there is no link under the active network name.
How does one change it then?
| My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Keeps changing - (Custom) OS Windows 7 Professional x64 CPU Intel Core i7 860 Motherboard Gigabyte GA-P55-UD4P Memory 4GB DDR3 Mushkin 1600Mhz @ 7-8-7-20 Graphics Card MSI GTS250 1GB DDR3 Twin Frozr Sound Card Onboard realtek Monitor(s) Displays Samsung SyncMaster 24" P2450 + Samsung 20" 2033 Screen Resolution 1920 X 1080 and 1600 X 900 (#2 system 1440 X 900) Keyboard Gigabyte USB keyboard Mouse Microsoft wireless laser mouse 5000 PSU Corsair 750 HX Modular Case Lancool PC-K62 Cooling Cooler Master TX3 CPU cooler and 4-140mm and 1-120mm case Hard Drives Patriot Inferno 120GB SSD + 3 WD Blue 640GB drives Internet Speed 7 Mb down 1.5 up Other Info System #2: AMD Phenom II X6 1055T (Freezer 7 Pro cooler) - Gigabyte 880GMA-UD2H - WD 500GB Black - 9500GT (1GB) 500W OCZ modular PSU - Antec 200 case. System #3 (LapTop) Core 2 Duo T6670 - 320GB 7200RPM HD - 4GB DDR3 RAM. |
01-14-2010
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#2 | | Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 |
Hi Nate,
There should be a link under the Public one as well as in the 3rd screenshot under step 2. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Self built custom OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 CPU Intel i7-980X 3.3 Ghz (3.48 Ghz OC'd) Motherboard ASUS P6X58D Premium Memory 12 GB (2GBx6) DDR3 PC3-16000 2000 MHz Kingston HyperX Graphics Card Sapphire HD5870 Eyefinity 6 2GB Sound Card Realtek HD Audio ALC889 Integrated Chip Monitor(s) Displays 3x 27" Asus VE278Q Screen Resolution 1920x1080 Keyboard Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution Mouse Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution PSU OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W Case Corsair Obsidian 800D Cooling Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme Copper CPU heat sink w/120 MM Hard Drives 160GB OCZ RevoDrive X2
** 2 x 1TB Samsung HDD HD154UI SATA Internet Speed 50 Mb/s Download and 2 Mb/s Upload Other Info Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
** Lite-On iHBS212 12x BD Writer
** Samsung CLX-3175FW Printer
** Netgear WNDR3800 Router
** Motorola SBG6580 Cable Modem
** 2x APC Back-UPS XS 1500 |
01-14-2010
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#3 | | Windows 7 Professional x64 |

Quote: Originally Posted by Brink Hi Nate,
There should be a link under the Public one as well as in the 3rd screenshot under step 2. I don't have the machine anymore but there was no link.
This network name was "unidentified network" (no link) and under that was "public network" (no link)
I gave up since I only had 2 hours to get it working. I hope he can connect at home now. Funny it isn't the same as in this tutorial. I wonder what caused the differences.... | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Keeps changing - (Custom) OS Windows 7 Professional x64 CPU Intel Core i7 860 Motherboard Gigabyte GA-P55-UD4P Memory 4GB DDR3 Mushkin 1600Mhz @ 7-8-7-20 Graphics Card MSI GTS250 1GB DDR3 Twin Frozr Sound Card Onboard realtek Monitor(s) Displays Samsung SyncMaster 24" P2450 + Samsung 20" 2033 Screen Resolution 1920 X 1080 and 1600 X 900 (#2 system 1440 X 900) Keyboard Gigabyte USB keyboard Mouse Microsoft wireless laser mouse 5000 PSU Corsair 750 HX Modular Case Lancool PC-K62 Cooling Cooler Master TX3 CPU cooler and 4-140mm and 1-120mm case Hard Drives Patriot Inferno 120GB SSD + 3 WD Blue 640GB drives Internet Speed 7 Mb down 1.5 up Other Info System #2: AMD Phenom II X6 1055T (Freezer 7 Pro cooler) - Gigabyte 880GMA-UD2H - WD 500GB Black - 9500GT (1GB) 500W OCZ modular PSU - Antec 200 case. System #3 (LapTop) Core 2 Duo T6670 - 320GB 7200RPM HD - 4GB DDR3 RAM. |
01-14-2010
|
#4 | | Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 |
The problem was that it was an unidentified network with what seems to have been two network connections? (ex: wireless and LAN)
Removing the bad network connection may have helped by clicking on the "Manage or delete network connections" link in the tutorial below instead. Network Name and Icon - Change | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Self built custom OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 CPU Intel i7-980X 3.3 Ghz (3.48 Ghz OC'd) Motherboard ASUS P6X58D Premium Memory 12 GB (2GBx6) DDR3 PC3-16000 2000 MHz Kingston HyperX Graphics Card Sapphire HD5870 Eyefinity 6 2GB Sound Card Realtek HD Audio ALC889 Integrated Chip Monitor(s) Displays 3x 27" Asus VE278Q Screen Resolution 1920x1080 Keyboard Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution Mouse Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution PSU OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W Case Corsair Obsidian 800D Cooling Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme Copper CPU heat sink w/120 MM Hard Drives 160GB OCZ RevoDrive X2
** 2 x 1TB Samsung HDD HD154UI SATA Internet Speed 50 Mb/s Download and 2 Mb/s Upload Other Info Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
** Lite-On iHBS212 12x BD Writer
** Samsung CLX-3175FW Printer
** Netgear WNDR3800 Router
** Motorola SBG6580 Cable Modem
** 2x APC Back-UPS XS 1500 |
01-24-2010
|
#5 | | Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit |
I had to register just to write this =) :
Actualy there is a bug in windows 7 which prevent you from changing an "unidentified network" in some cases. I had this problem back in beta and RC and it's still there in the released version. Take a look here: Windows 7 RC - I can't change my network from public to work | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Self built OS Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit CPU E8400 Motherboard Abit IP35 Pro Memory 4GB Kingston HyperX @1066Mhz Graphics Card Asus GF 8800 GTS 512 Monitor(s) Displays LG TV 42LH7020 Screen Resolution 1920x1080 Internet Speed 24Mbit |
01-24-2010
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#6 | | |
Last edited by Brink; 11-10-2010 at 03:09 PM..
Reason: added link
| My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Home built OS Windows 7 RTM X64 CPU Q9650-4.275GHz, E8600 4.5GHz, E6750-3.8GHz Motherboard Evga 780i FTW Memory G.Skill PC2 9600 1200Mhz 5 5 5 15 2T Graphics Card GTX480 Sound Card Asus Xonar D2 Monitor(s) Displays HannsG Screen Resolution 1680X1050 Keyboard Logitech G15 Mouse Logitech G9 PSU ThermalTake Toughpower 1000Watt modular Case ThermalTake XaserV Cooling Xigmatek S1283 Hard Drives GSkill Phoenix Pro 120GB SSD Internet Speed T1 Network Location - Set as Home, Work, or Public Network problems? All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:51 AM. |  |