Windows 10: How do you get a laptop to STOP making the network Public?

At least once a week I have to mess around with my boss's laptop to get it back online. When he goes home it works fine. When he goes to our sister company it works fine. When he gets here it goes public. There is no option to change it back. It is one of the most frustrating and worst features Microsoft could have added.


How do I get it back to Private like it was yesterday?


Thanks,

Jessica

:)

 

Public Network

It's good to know that you have already contacted your service provider. This helps us to further isolate the issue. Before we can conclude that a hacker has gotten into your computer and making changes to the system, we need to identify first, whether or
not this is a system issue. There are other Windows 10 users, although not common, who are experiencing the same issue as you and found different resolutions that you can try. Try the methods below and check if it helps:

Method 1: Change the network location using the Settings App.

• Click on Start.
• Click on Settings.
• Click on Network & Internet.
• Click on Ethernet.
• Click on the network where you're connected.
• Turn on the option to Make this PC discoverable. This turns your public network location into a private one.

Method 2: Change the network location using Windows PowerShell.

We have a found a thread with a similar issue to yours. Check the Answer provided by
NiklasE rlhm in this thread and check if it applies.
Other Community members have found it helpful.

Method 3: Refresh network adapter connections in Device Manager.

You may follow the steps provided in this article. Note that the steps in the article
are supposedly for Windows 7, but should still work with Windows 10, although, the step-by-step provided might be a bit different.

Should you encounter any further issues, please do get back to us.

 

Laptop won't show list of available networks

We suggest checking the list of available Wi-Fi networks on your laptop.

Please follow these steps:

• Click the Windows logo.
• Go to Settings (gear icon).
• Select Network and Internet.
• Then Wi-Fi.
• Make sure the Wi-Fi radio button is On.
• Select Show available networks, then you'll be able to see the list of available Wi-Fi networks.

Update us with the outcome so we provide further assistance.

 

Network showing as public

Hi Connor,

By default, the public network location type is assigned to any new networks when they are first connected. A public network is considered to be shared with the world, with no protection between the local computer and any other computer. Therefore,
the Windows Firewall rules associated with the public profile are the most restrictive.

To change settings from public to private, follow the steps below:

• Open the Locale Security Policy.
• In the left pane, click/tap on Network List Manager Policies.
• In the right pane of Network List Manager Policies, double click/tap on your network name
• Click/tap on the Network Location tab.
• Under Location type, select Private.
• Under User permissions, select (dot) User cannot change location.
• Click/tap on OK, and close Local Security Policy.

Note: You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to change the network location of a network adapter.

Let us know if you have other questions.