Windows 10 creating a public network. What is the difference between public and private networks

09.21.2017 windows | for beginners | Internet

In Windows 10, there are two profiles (also known as network location or network type) for Ethernet and Wi-Fi networks- Private network and public network, differing in default settings for such things as network discovery, file and printer sharing.

In some cases, you may need to change a public network to a private one or a private one to a public one - ways to do this in Windows 10 will be discussed in this manual. Also at the end of the article you will find some additional information about the difference between the two types of network and which one is better to choose in different situations.

Note: Some users also ask how to change private network to home. In fact, the private network in Windows 10 is the same as the home network in previous versions of the OS, the name has just changed. In turn, the public network is now called public.

You can see what network type is currently selected in Windows 10 by right-clicking on the icon network connection in the notification area and selecting context menu"Network Control Center and shared access" In the "view active networks" section, you will see a list of connections and what network location they are using. (You may also be interested in: How to change the network name in Windows 10).

Changing a private network to a public one and back for a local Ethernet connection

If your computer or laptop is connected to the network by cable, to change the network location from “Private Network” to “Public Network” or vice versa, follow these steps:

The parameters should be applied immediately and, accordingly, the network type will change after they are applied.

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Changing the network type for Wi-Fi connection

Essentially, in order to change the network type from public to private or vice versa for wireless Wi-Fi connection in Windows 10, you should follow the same steps as for an Ethernet connection, differing only in the action in step 2:

The network connection settings will be changed and when you go back to the Network and Sharing Center, you will see that the active network is of the desired type.

How to Change a Public Network to a Private Network Using Windows 10 HomeGroups Setup

There is another way to change the network type in Windows 10, but it only works in cases where you need to change the network location from “Public Network” to “Private Network” (i.e. in one direction only).

The steps will be as follows:

After applying the settings, the network will be changed to "Private".

Resetting network parameters and then selecting its type

At the same time, if your computer is connected to the network directly with a provider cable (i.e. not through Wi-Fi router or another, your own, router), I would recommend turning on “Public Network”, since despite the fact that the network is “located at home”, it is not home (you are connected to the provider’s equipment to which, at a minimum, other your neighbors and depending on your ISP's router settings, they could theoretically have access to your devices).

If necessary, you can disable network discovery and file and printer sharing for a private network: to do this, in the Network and Sharing Center, click on the left "Change" additional options Public" and then set the necessary settings for the "Private" profile.

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This article will describe four ways to change the network type (network location) in Windows 10.

In operating rooms Windows systems Since Vista, different network profiles have been used to provide greater network security. Windows 7 had "Public Network" and " Home network"Starting with Windows 8, the Home Network profile has been renamed to Private Network.

The "Public Network" profile imposes more restrictions on data transfer over the network. For example, you cannot create a homegroup on a public network. The Private Network profile has fewer of these restrictions.

Technically, each of these profiles is a set of firewall settings and local security policies.

Open "Network Center" (right button on the network tray icon) and you will see there:

In this illustration, the network name is highlighted ( Network 2) and its type is public. In Microsoft terminology, the network type is called "network location". That is, everywhere in Windows interface signatures such as "network location Public" or "network location Private".

By default, when created new network, Windows assigns it the "Public Network" profile. When you connect to any network, Windows 10 issues this request:

If you click the "Yes" button, the network will be assigned the "Private" type. But if you click "No" or ignore this request, then Windows 10 will assign this network type to "Public".

If only the Internet passes through the network, then it makes no difference what type of network. And it is even preferable to use the “Public Network” profile because it is more secure.

However, when connecting computers in local network, its type already matters. It may be necessary to change the network profile from “Public” to “Private” to reduce data transfer restrictions on this network. Data transfer refers to the transfer of files between computers, sharing of shared resources, such as a printer.

On Windows 7, you could change the network type directly in the Network Center, but in Windows 10 this option is not available. If you need to change the network type under Windows 10, you need to do it differently.

There are several options.

Change network to private through Windows 10 settings

The first way is to use the standard options in the Windows 10 settings. You need to click on the network icon in the tray and click the “Network Settings” command in the menu:

Then click on “Ethernet” (or on WiFi) and in the right panel click on the adapter name:

Some difficulty to understand here is that the adapter name does not match the network name in the Network Sharing Center. This is such a hassle.

At the very top of the new screen (adapter properties), you need to turn the switch on or off:

Position " On"changes the network type to " Private". Position " Off"changes the network type to " Public".

Change the network to private through local policies

Second way. Open local security policies:

• Or through the Control Panel - Administration.
• Or Windows + R on your keyboard, then secpol.msc and Enter.

There you need to open a policy that has the same name as the network you need (the very first screenshot of this article). It is located in the Network Manager Policies branch:

Then, in the properties of this policy, open the “Network Location” tab and specify the location type and user permission there:

Note! The user permission must be set exactly as indicated in the screenshot - “The user cannot change the location.” With other options, the setting will not work.

Change Windows 10 network type through the registry

The easiest and fastest way is editing Windows registry. But at the same time, this is the most unsafe way. If you do not know how to handle the registry, then read the article to the end and take advantage of more in safe ways.

You need to find the key in the registry HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Profiles.

This key must contain at least one key with a type name (84464.....E00). Each such key corresponds to one network, which is displayed in the Network Control Center. Match the key with the right network possible by parameter " ProfileName". This setting contains the name of the network that appears in the Network and Sharing Center.

If you have several profiles in the Network and Control Center, then according to the parameter "ProfileName"find the required key and, in this key, change the value of the parameter" Category".

Parameter values ​​" Category"may be the following:

• 0 - "Public network".
• 1 - "Private network".
• 2 - Domain network.

Change the "Category" parameter to one of these values ​​and close the editor. If immediately after this the network type does not change in the Network and Sharing Center, then restart Windows.

Change Windows 10 network type via PowerShell

You can also do the same thing through PowerShell, but this method seems to me the most inconvenient. The fact is that you will have to write a very long command:

Set-NetConnectionProfile -Name "Ethernet 2" -NetworkCategory Private(or Public)

Ivan Sukhov, 2016

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In Windows 7, when you connected to any network, you had a choice between your home network, your business network, or your public network. The first type of network is great for those who need to have access to other devices on that network (network discovery, shared folders, access to network devices, and so on). The second type of network narrowed the level of access - for example, to network printer you could connect, but to everyone shared folders not anymore. Well, with a public network, everything is clear: you should choose this type in public places (airports, cafes, subways, and so on) - here greater security is ensured and a minimum of data about the device goes to the local network.

In Windows 10, Microsoft simplified the scheme - the home network and the enterprise network became a private network (because even in Windows 7 the difference between them was small and could be leveled out altogether), the public one became publicly accessible and did not change at all. Plus, you can now easily and easily switch between both types of network for the current connection (for example, if you accidentally made a mistake and made the network at home public).

To do this, click on the network icon in the taskbar and select “Network and Internet settings”:


Now in the list on the left you need to select Wi-Fi or Ethernet (depending on your connection type), and then click on the name of the network:

In the window that opens, you can hide the computer or make it detectable on the local network - that is, just change the network type:

Changing the network type occurs instantly, without reconnection:

Sometimes a user, even a completely inexperienced one, needs to change the type Windows network.

Why and how to do this correctly so that everything works correctly?

What is network type

Read also: How to set up a local network on Windows? The simplest ways

The network can be home (private) or public.

Other users can connect to a public network, but a home network is limited to you personally, your environment and is a reliable means of protecting your computer or laptop from intrusion.

Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

The first time you connect to a new network, Windows will ask the user for permission to automatically connect to the public network.

That is, a network that will not allow other users to find your PC or laptop when you are in a public place.

This is especially useful for a laptop. Essentially, no one will be able to connect to you, view your data, organize a group without your permission, and in general, this is a very reliable means of protecting your hardware.

But if you are a user personal computer, system unit from which, unlike the same laptop, you don’t want to drag it anywhere, then a home network will be more useful.

It gives access to all devices in your home and those to whom you allow it, but at the same time hides the computer itself from other users and allows you to easily share files and data within your home network.

Essentially, both are beneficial in their own way, each having benefits that are needed at one time or another. But at the same time, you can choose only one of them as “working”.

But how to do this if the one that is currently installed by default is not the one you need?

How to change network type in Windows 7

Read also: Unidentified network without Internet access: How to fix?

The permission to automatically select a network has already been mentioned above. Windows literally forces the user to choose whether he wants the computer to be visible on the network or not.

If the user answers “Yes,” then the network becomes private, connecting devices. If “No”, then it is closed from other public devices.

Moreover, it happens that when you first connect, the system itself selects the network type, and this is fraught.

The user will most often end up having to change it. And this is where the question arises of how to do this.

On Windows 7, changing the network is much easier than on others, since, for example, even on the G8, these functions are hidden much deeper, and the ability to switch the network is almost tightly hidden.

And if you have Windows 7, no matter whether it’s home, professional or any other, you can change the network type to home and vice versa in a few clicks:

• At the bottom we find the network connection icon. It's located on the taskbar, on the right, and looks either like steps in profile or like a computer monitor with a cord.
• Click on it, opening the menu.
• And in this very menu, select the item: “Network and Sharing Center”. After this, a window with connection settings should appear.
• To avoid problems, it is better not to touch anything unnecessary, but very carefully click on the words “Home Network” or “Public Network”. One wrong click in this menu can completely disrupt your network connection.
• And finally, in the window that appears, change the network to the one that is needed at the moment.

As you can see, in Windows 7, working with the network is quite simple, but the eighth version becomes a little more complicated in this regard.

Read also: 5 Tips for Configuring the Windows Page File (7/8/10)

The difficulties begin with the fact that the “Home Network” is now not “Home” at all, but “Private”, and along with the changed name came some changes in the operation of these same networks.

For example, “Public Network” now not only restricts the computer from illegal intrusion or legal, but unwanted connection, but also restricts the user from working with the network - transferring data becomes much more difficult.

Well, “Private Network” now has advanced functions for connecting to printers and other devices.

Windows 8 also has a network setup prompt, asking the user if they want to automatically connect to devices.

This determines the type of network and its functions. For example, to connect a TV, tablet or any other device that needs the Internet, the network type does not play a special role, but when exchanging files, data, or creating a home group, “Private” must be selected.

Yes, in Windows 7 you could change the network in a few clicks, but here you will have to suffer longer:

• The first thing you need to do is open sidebar. No, not even that. The first thing you need to do is find it. If you succeeded, great, if not, then the Win + I key combination will help.
• Just below the icons and icons there is a menu with the name "Change computer settings", which is what you need to click on.
• Then you need to select “Network”, and then “Connections”.

All that remains is to select the icon with the name of the desired network and click on it. It would seem that the hardest part is already behind us, but no.

Consider that you are a knight who has reached the castle, but still must find the princess. And this very princess is located under the inscription “Search for devices and content”, in the form of a small switch.

If you select “On”, then the network will be private, and if “Off”, then it will be public. Difficult? Yes. But there is another way.

Changing the network through local policies

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This is not to say that this method is much simpler, but to some it may seem like an easier option for changing the network.

And in the end it's a little faster:

• First of all, you need to open local security policies. You can do this by going to Start, and then "Administration", where you will need to select the appropriate item.

This can be done much faster if you hold down the Win+R keys, then enter secpol.msc in the line that opens and press Enter. Then the desired window will open instantly

.

• In the window that opens, in the list of folders on the left, we find.
• And then on the right we look for the name of the network that you want to make working - private or public.

• Right mouse button on the desired name, select “Properties”.
• Need to open a tab "Network Location".

And finally, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 have a third, albeit very unusual for the average user, method.

In addition, it is not very secure, but it is a little easier than the previous two methods of changing the network.

You need to find the key in the registry HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Profiles.

Each such key corresponds to one network, which is displayed in "Network Control Center".

You can find out which key is associated with the desired network using the “ProfileName” parameter.

If in "Network Control Center" your network is called “Network 1” then you need to look for a key that contains the “ProfileName” parameter equal to the value “Network 1”.

In the required key, you need to change the value of the “Category” parameter. This parameter defines the profile network settings, which will be used for the network.

The values ​​of the “Category” parameter can be the following:

• 0 - “Public network”.
• 1 - “Private network”.

Change the “Category” parameter to one of these values ​​and close the editor. If immediately after this the network type does not change in "Network Control Center" then restart Windows.

If everything was done correctly, the network you need will immediately appear in the menu.

It seems very difficult, right? But it's not that hard if you try, although of course compared to Windows 7 it looks like a real puzzle.

And if everything is so complicated with the “eight”, then what can we expect from the “ten”?

August 12, 2016

This article provides instructions on how to change a public network to a private one in Windows 10.

This article will describe four ways to change the network type (network location) in Windows 10.

IN operating systems Windows, starting with Vista, uses different network profiles to provide greater network security. Windows 7 had Public Network and Home Network profiles. Starting with Windows 8, the Home Network profile was renamed to Private Network.

The "Public Network" profile imposes more restrictions on data transfer over the network. For example, you cannot create a homegroup on a public network. The Private Network profile has fewer of these restrictions.

Each of these profiles is a set of firewall settings and local security policies. Open "Network Center" (right button on the network tray icon) and you will see there:

In this illustration, the network name is highlighted ( Network 2) and its type is public. In Microsoft terminology, the network type is called "network location". That is, everywhere in the Windows interface there will be signatures like “network location Public” or “network location Private”.

By default, when you create a new network (when your computer connects to a new network), Windows assigns the "Public Network" profile to the new network. When you connect to any network, Windows 10 issues this request:

If you click the "Yes" button, the network will be assigned the "Private" type. But if you click "No" or ignore this request, then Windows 10 will assign this network type to "Public".

If only the Internet passes through the network, then it does not matter what type of network is used. And it is even preferable to use the “Public Network” profile because it is more secure.

However, if you need to connect computers into a local network, the type of network already matters. In this case, you may need to change the network type from “Public” to “Private”. In order to remove restrictions on data transmission on this network. Data transfer refers to the transfer of files between computers, sharing of shared resources, such as a printer.

On Windows 7, you could change the network type directly in the Network Center, but changing the network type in Windows 10 is more difficult. If necessary Windows type Windows 10 network will have to do this differently. There are several options.

How to make a private network in Windows 10 through settings

The first way is to use the standard options in the Windows 10 settings. You need to click on the network icon in the tray and click the “Network Settings” command in the menu:

After this, the network window will open Windows settings 10. There you need to click on "Ethernet" (or on WiFi if you need to change the type for wireless network). After this, in the right panel you need to click on the name of the adapter:

Note. Some difficulty to understand here is that the adapter name does not match the network name in the Network Sharing Center. This is such a hassle. The name of the adapter for the network you need can be seen in the Network and Control Center. To do this, you need to click on the link “Change adapter settings”. A list of adapters linked to network names will open.

After you click on the adapter name it will open new screen. At the very top of the new screen (adapter properties), you need to turn the switch on or off:

Position " On"changes the network type to " Private". Position " Off"changes the network type to " Public".

Change Windows 10 network through local policies

Second way. Open local security policies:

• Or through the Control Panel - Administration.
• Or Windows + R on your keyboard, then write secpol.msc and Enter (on the keyboard).

The Local Security Policy window opens. There you need to open a policy that has the same name as the network you need (the very first screenshot of this article). It is located in the Network Manager Policies branch:

Then, in the properties of this policy, open the “Network Location” tab and specify the location type and user permission there:

Note! The user permission must be set exactly as indicated in the screenshot - “The user cannot change the location.” With other options, the setting will not work.

Windows 10 change network via registry

The most dangerous way to change the network home windows 10. If you do not know how to handle the registry, then read the article to the end and use safer ways to change the network type in Windows 10.

You need to find the key in the registry HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Profiles.

This key must contain at least one subkey with the name of the view (84464.....E00). Each such key corresponds to one network, which is displayed in the Network Control Center. You can match the key with the desired network using the parameter " ProfileName". This setting contains the name of the network that appears in the Network and Sharing Center.

If you have several profiles in the Network and Control Center, then according to the parameter "ProfileName" you find the desired key and, in this key, change the value for the parameter " Category".

Parameter values ​​" Category" may be the following.