In Windows 10, the users can easily configure the Windows Firewall.
It comes with pre-defined configuration that eases up the process.
Networks can be of three types, where one can use Windows Firewall configurations.
These include private, public and domain.
In Windows 10, you will come across an option, through which you can choose the desired type of network.
According to the type of network selected, the rules of the Windows Firewall will be set.
Here are the three types of networks that you can choose from:
Public Network
The default type of network in Windows 10 is referred to as the Public Network.
In case you do not select any particular type of network for your Operating System, Windows Firewall will be configured in your system using the rules of Public network.
In this type of network, the rules of Windows Firewall will remain most restrictive.
The firewall will stop most apps from being connected to the internet.
Some of the features like printer sharing will also be disabled in your system.
The users will not be able to enjoy features like network discovery, and setup of network devices automatically.
When to use a public network?
You may use a public network when you have a single computer.
If you do not need any sort of communication with other devices in the network, a public network would serve the purpose.
Private Network
The second category of the network is private, which you can use both at work or at home.
In this type of network, you would enjoy the maximum number of features that Windows 10 comes with.
These include setup of the network device, file sharing and network discovery.
Therefore, the range of benefits for the user is much more comprehensive.
When to use a private network?
You should be using a private network when you have more than one computer.
Besides, you need to trust the network, to which you are connected, when you use a private network.
Domain Network
In case your computer happens to be an Active Directory domain network member, it will automatically detect a domain network.
In Windows 10, such networks are detected instantaneously.
In this case, the network administrator enjoys greater control.
Besides, the admin is capable of applying various automatically, incorporating the policies of the Active Directory group.
When to use a domain network?
Being an Active Directory domain network member, your network will be detected on its own.
How to check the current type of network in your device?
Here, you will come to know how you can change the type of network in Windows 10 from private to public, and vice versa.
This article does not include the process related to the domain network, as Windows 10 can detect it automatically.
Therefore, the user does not have to make any change.
Firstly, you need to check the current network type in your system. Follow these steps to know the type of network your computer is connected to:
- Step 1: Visit the Control Panel of your computer
- Step 2:Choose Network and Internet
- Step 3:Click on ‘View Network status and tasks’
In the display, you will be able to view the network type, to which your computer is connected.
How to change the type of network in Windows 10?
If you wish to know how to change network type windows 10, there are three ways:
1. Change from Windows Settings
One can turn a private network public and vice versa, using the settings of Windows Control Panel. Follow these steps to make the change:
- Step 1:Click in HomeGroup, from the Network and Internet option under Control Panel
- Step 2: You will find an option, ‘Change Network Location link’. Click on this link.
- Step 3: A question will pop up in a dialogue box, asking whether you want the device to be discoverable. In case you want your network to be public, click on the ‘No’ option. If you need the network to be configured to Home or Work, click ‘Yes’.
You will also find the link, ‘Change advanced sharing settings’, from where you can further configure the type of network in a detailed way.
2. Set your network through Windows Registry
In case you are well-versed with technology, you may consider editing your Windows Registry.
In the process, you will find it easy to change the network type in Windows 10.
A single registry file is necessary to change the network in several PCs. Follow these steps to make the changes:
- Step 1: Go to Run and type ‘Regedit’. Press Enter.
- Step 2: The following syntax will appear on the screen
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE –> SOFTWARE –> Microsoft –> Windows NT –> CurrentVersion –> NetworkList –> Profiles
You will find some sub-keys under the Profiles option, which have different GUIDs.
This is corresponding to the number of network cards being used with the PC.
- Step 3:Choose each of the sub-keys of the Profiles.
- Step 4: On the right-hand pane, look out for the ‘ProfileName’ key. Through this, you will get the network name, and you can easily recognize the network that has to be changed.
- Step 5: When you identify the right sub-key, the Category DWORD value can be changed in the right-hand pane. This will help you to alter the type of network in Windows 10.
For a public network, the value of data will be 0. For private and domain networks, the value will be 1 and 2, respectively.
3. Local Security Policy
You can also switch the networks directly using the Local Security Policy.
- Step 1: Go to Run and type ‘secpol.msc’. Press Enter.
- Step 2: Choose Network List Manager Policies. On the right-hand pane, you will be able to view the list of all available networks.
- Step 3: Double click on the network you want to switch to and visit the Network Location tab.
- Step 4: Here, you can alter the Network location type to public, private and not configured.
- Step 5: In case you want to configure all the connected networks similarly, you have to double click on ‘All Networks’, rather than the desired one.
Depending on your technical grasp, you can use any of the three processes presented above to change the type of network in Windows 10.
Read more about Windows 10 here.
