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How to make my PC discoverable, and change Network PUBLIC Profile to PRIVATE on Windows 10 home 1803

Anonymous
2018-09-05T21:25:15+00:00

I have 2 laptops, both with Windows 10 home, 1803 build 17134.254 (the latest),

both connected to the same Internet router.

In the Network & Internet settings PC 1 shows Private Network and PC 2 shows Public Network.

I want PC 2 to have a Private Network profile, just like PC 1 has.

I noticed that my PC 1 shows an option allowing to make the change in a very simple way, as shown here:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4043043/windows-10-make-network-public-private

  1. On the right side of the taskbar, select the Wi-Fi network  icon.
  2. Under the name of the Wi-Fi network that you’re connected to, select Properties.
  3. Under Network profile, select Public or Private.

However, if I want to do the change in my PC 2 it appears that, having selected Properties,

the option Network profile and Public/Private selection is not listed at all.

The settings page just shows:

  • the name of the router
  • Connect automatically when in range, on/off
  • Metered connection, on/off
  • IP settings
  • Properties

What can I do to make the missing option be available ? …

Or is there any other way to change the Network profile ?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Internet and connectivity

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  1. Brink 16,560 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2018-09-05T22:15:29+00:00

    Hello Guus, 

    In addition to the above, the tutorials below can help show you different ways to turn on Network Discovery and set your network location to "Private".

    I hope they will help.

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/49652-turn-off-network-discovery-windows-10-a.html

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/6815-set-network-location-private-public-windows-10-a.html

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2018-09-05T22:09:36+00:00

    Hi Dave, before making the changes in the Registry I would like to ask you to consider the following two facts:

    in PC 1, having the correct "Private" Network profile,

    • the Wifi and Ethernet settings do show the option to make the change.
    • right below that option there is a green color link "Configure Firewall and Security settings".

    Could it be important to first check Firewall settings of PC2 ?,

    and if yes, what changes should I make in those settings ?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. DaveM121 871.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2018-09-05T21:30:47+00:00

    Hi Guus. yes, I think Microsoft forgot to move that Public/Private setting from the old Control Panel to the new Settings App

    Click your Start Button, type regedit and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor

    In the left pane, navigate to:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Profiles

    Expand the Profiles Key (folder)

    That will contain sub-keys with different GUID

    Click each Sub-key

    On the right, check the ProfileName value

    When you find the sub-key with the correct ProfileName value

    At the top you will see 'Category' - double click that

    Change its value from 0 to 1

    Click OK

    Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Brink 16,560 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2018-09-06T02:06:43+00:00

    That's great news Guus. I'm glad we were able to help.

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  5. Anonymous
    2018-09-06T00:06:26+00:00

    I was successful in making the Network Profile change to Private following the directions of Dave, in the Registry Editor . … The second tutorial given by Shawn Brink was also of great help since it is fully illustrated by screenshots. Thanks a lot.

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