Windows 7: Network Name - Enable or Disable Change

   Information

This will show you how to enable or disable all users to be able to change a network name as displayed in the Network and Sharing Center.

   Warning

You will only be able to do this while logged in as an administrator.

OPTION ONE

Through Network List Manager Policies

1. Open the Local Security Policy editor.

A) In the left pane, select Network List Manager Policies. (see screenshot below)

B) Go to step 3 or 4.

OR

2. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.

A) In the left pane, click on to expand Computer Configuration, Windows Settings, Security Settings, and Network List Manager Policies. (see screenshot below)

B) Go to step 3 or 4.

3. To Enable or Disable Changing All Network Names

A) In the right pane, double click on All Networks. (see screenshots above)

B) To Enable Changing All Network Names

NOTE: If set to Not Configured, then the setting in step 4C below will override this setting.

• Under Network name, select (dot) either Not Configured or User can change name, then click on OK. (see screenshot below)
• Go to step 6.

C) To Disable Changing All Network Names

NOTE: This will override any setting that you may have set in step 4 below.

• Under Network name, select (dot) User cannot change name, then click on OK. (see screenshot above)
• Go to step 5.

4. To Enable or Disable Changing a Specific Network Name

A) Open the Network and Sharing Center to see what the name of a network (ex: Network for me below) that you want to enable or disable changing of it's network name. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You can open the Network and Sharing Center from within the Control Panel, or by right clicking on your Network icon in taskbar notification area.

B) In the right pane, double click on your network name (ex: Network). (see screenshot below step 1A or 2A)

C) To Enable Changing a Specific Network Name

NOTE: If step 3B above is set to Not Configured, then this will override that setting.

• Click on the Network Name tab. (see screenshot below)
• Under User permissions, select (dot) either Not Configured or User can change name, then click on OK. (see screenshot below)
• Go to step 5.

D) To Disable Changing a Specific Network Name
NOTE: This will override the setting in step 3B above.

• Click on the Network Name tab. (see screenshot above)
• Under User permissions, select (dot) User cannot change name, then click on OK. (see screenshot above)
• Go to step 5.

5. Close the Local Security Policy or Local Group Policy Editor.

OPTION TWO

Through a REG File Download

1. To Enable Changing All Network Names
NOTE: The setting in step 4C in OPTION ONE above will override this setting.

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Enable_Changing_All_Networks_Names.reg

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Disable Changing All Network Names
NOTE: This will override any setting that you may have set in step 4 in OPTION ONE above.

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Disable_Changing_All_Networks_Names.reg

B) Go to step 4.

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. Restart the computer to apply.

7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.