Windows 10: change network type - how it works

You need to change the network type if you want to switch from a public to a private network - or vice versa - on Windows 10. Unfortunately, this has become a little more difficult in Windows 10. We show you two possible solutions here.

Change network type in Windows 10

If you want to switch from a public to a private network, it is often sufficient to change the sharing options.

1. To do this, open Windows Explorer and select the "Network" option on the left.
2. Then the devices in your network group are displayed. At the same time, a pop-up appears with the message "The release of files is switched off [...]" (see picture).
3. When you click on the pop-up, a context menu opens.
4. Click here on "Enable network discovery and file sharing".
5. You can then access the connected devices - as far as you are authorized - and share content.

Change the network type more widely in Windows 10

Switching from a private to a public network is a bit more complicated on Windows 10. This often only works via the local security guidelines.

1. To do this, enter "secpol.msc" in the Windows 10 search bar and select the result with the highest match.
2. A new window opens with the title "Local Security Policy".
3. On the left, under the "Security Settings", select the option "Network List Manager Policies".
4. All networks will then be listed.
5. Double-click the network for which you want to change the network type.
6. The properties of the network now appear.
7. Switch to the "Network address" tab.
8. There you can set under "Location type" whether it should be a private or public network (see picture).
9. With a click on "OK" the settings are immediately adopted.