How to Enable or Disable Changing Network Locations in Windows 7
Information
A network location identifies the type of network that a computer is connected to and automatically sets the appropriate firewall settings for that location.
This will show you how to enable or disable all users to be able to change the network location of your computer in Windows 7.
This will show you how to enable or disable all users to be able to change the network location of your computer in Windows 7.
Warning
You will only be able to do this while logged in as an administrator.
EXAMPLE: Change Network Location Disabled Message
NOTE: This is the message all users will get when trying to change the network location when that option has been disabled.
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, 4, or 5.
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, 4, or 5.
3. To Enable or Disable Changing All Network Locations
A) In the right pane, double click on All Networks. (see screenshots above)
B) To Enable Changing All Network Locations
NOTE: If set to Not Configured, then the setting in step 4C and 5D below will override this setting.
- Under Network location, select (dot) either Not Configured or User can change location, then click on OK. (see screenshot below)
- Go to step 6.
C) To Disable Changing All Network Locations
NOTE: This will override any setting that you may have set in step 4 and 5 below.
- Under Network location, select (dot) User cannot change location, then click on OK. (see screenshot above)
- Go to step 6.
A) In the right pane, double click on Unidentified Networks. (see screenshot below step 1A or 2A)
B) To Enable Changing Unidentified Network Locations
NOTE: The setting in step 3C above will override this setting.
- Under User permissions, select (dot) either Not Configured or User can change location, then click on OK. (see screenshot below)
- Go to step 6.
C) To Disable Changing Unidentified Network Locations
NOTE: If step 3B above is set to Not Configured, then this will override that setting.
- Under User permissions, select (dot) User cannot change location, then click on OK. (see screenshot above)
- Go to step 6.
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 location. (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 Location
NOTE: If step 3B above is set to Not Configured, then this will override that setting.
- Click on the Network Location tab. (see screenshot below)
- Under User permissions, select (dot) either Not Configured or User can change location, then click on OK. (see screenshot below)
- Go to step 6.
D) To Disable Changing a Specific Network Location
NOTE: This will override the setting in step 3B above.
- Click on the Network Location tab. (see screenshot above)
- Under User permissions, select (dot) User cannot change location, then click on OK. (see screenshot above)
- Go to step 6.
OPTION TWO
Using a REG File Download
NOTE: You will need to use OPTION ONE to enable or disable changing a unidentified network or a specific network instead.
1. To Enable Changing All Network Locations
NOTE: The setting in step 4C and 5D in OPTION ONE above will override this setting.
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Enable_Changing_All_Networks_Location.reg
Download
B) Go to step 3.
2. To Disable Changing All Network Locations
NOTE: This will override any setting that you may have set in step 4 and 5 in OPTION ONE above.
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below
Disable_Changing_All_Networks_Location.reg
Download
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.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Set the Windows 7 Network Location Type
- How to Set Unidentified Networks to be a Private or Public Network Location
- How to Change the Network Name and Icon in Windows 7
- How to Create a Network and Sharing Center Shortcut in Windows 7
- How to Enable or Disable Changing a Network Icon in Windows 7
- How to Enable or Disable Changing a Network Name in Windows 7
- How to Turn Network Discovery On or Off in Windows 7
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