Windows 10: Option to change network from Public to Private missing

I've spent the past several hours trying to figure out how to change my network from Public to Private, but every single source I find is clearly outdated. I've attempted to do this on both a wifi connection on my laptop as well as a wired connection on my brand new desktop, both are running the current build of Windows 10.


Normally, you'd go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wifi, then click on your wifi name and simply hit the switch that flips between Public/Private. Well, not only is this option missing from both of my devices and on both wifi and ethernet, but neither has any option to turn on the "make my device discoverable" setting that I've seen mentioned as well. I've only found one other case of someone having this same issue and unfortunately their solution didn't work for me: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-networking-winpc/how-to-change-network-to-private-network-from/73b3c0df-398d-40da-92a8-00aabed9ff00


Can someone please help me figure this out? Its driving me up a wall because I now can't use either my Chromecast nor my printer.

:)

 

Change Network from Public to Private

Hi,

Thank you for your interest in Windows 10.

I suggest you to follow the steps below to
change your network from Public to Private:

• 
  Type PowerShell in Search Window and then right click on it and click on
  Run as Administrator.
  
• 
  Type the following command to find your interface Index:
  Get-NetConnectionProfile
  
• 
  Use your interface index (for example 5) with this command:
  Set-NetConnectionProfile -InterfaceIndex 5 -NetworkCategory Private
  
• 
  Now reboot the device and check if the network has changed from Public to Private.
  

Hope this information is helpful. Please do let us know if you need further assistance, we’ll be glad to assist you.

 

Changing Public to Private Networks and Vice versa

Yes. I can change the sharing options on the "Advanced sharing settings" dialog but that (unless I'm missing something) won't change the overall network setting from private to public or public to private.

I've found only two options (as the network profile toggle buttons) aren't present on any of my computers (Lenovo T580, 460, and 430)

Option 1

Opening PowerShell with administrative privileges

• Run the following command: Get-NetConnectionProfile
• See the network name you want to change its type and run the following command:
  Set-NetConnectionProfile -Name [name] -NetworkCategory
  Public
  
• Where [name] is the name of my network and then change the -NetworkCategory switch value to Public or Private.

Option 2

1. Run –> secpol.msc

2. Select Network List Manager Policies. This will list all the networks in the right hand pane.

3. Double click your desired network, go to Network Location tab.

4. Change the Network location type to either Not configured, private or public.

Note Can do this for all the connected networks, double click All Networks instead of your desired network.

 

Changing Network from Public to Private

To use these steps to set a network to public or private, your PC must be running Windows 10 Version 1709.

To see which version of Windows 10 your device is currently running, select Start, then select Settings > System > About

To change a Wi-Fi network to public or private:

- Select Start, then select Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi

- Select Manage known networks, select the network you want to change, and then > select Properties.

- Under Network profile, select Public or Private.

Taken from:

Make a Wi-Fi network public or private in Windows 10