How to Change a Wi-Fi Network from Public to Private– You might want to switch a network from Public to Private, the main reason being securing your home or office network from being accessed by unauthorized devices. Given the abundance of Wi-Fi-capable devices, changing your network settings is an easy process.
This article explains how to change a network from public to private on Windows 10. Designating a connection as private makes it discoverable to other devices, so only do this for networks you trust.
The process is slightly different when you connect to a network through an Ethernet cable. You can also use this alternative method when connected via Wi-Fi.
Select the Windows Start Menu and choose Settings.
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Select Network & Internet in Windows Settings.
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Now, select Properties under Ethernet.
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Next, choose Private under Network Profile.
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Close the Settings window. The change will take effect immediately.
Note:A single mistake in Registry Editor has the potential to break an entire system, so consider creating a backup in advance. Once you’ve opened the Registry Editor, click on File > Export to save the backup in a secure location. If anything goes wrong, you can import the backup.
To change your network location from public to private using the Registry Editor:
To launch a Run box, press Windows + R.
Type “regedit’ then Enter.
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From the left pane of Registry Editor, navigate to the following key:
If you’re using Windows 8.1, open the Charms Bar and select Change PCSettings. Next, click Network to see your active connections, then enable Find Devices and Content. Doing this changes the network from public to private because the option isn’t available for public networks.
If you’re running Windows 7, right-click on the network icon in the Taskbar, then select Open Network and Sharing Center. Next, under View Active Networks, click the network you’re using. You’ll have three options: Public Network, Home Network, and Work Network. Select Home Network or Work Network for a private connection.
Setting a network connection to private doesn’t protect your privacy. The opposite is true: changing a network to private makes it discoverable to other devices on the network. If you don’t want your computer vulnerable to hackers, leave the connection public.