Network Location - Enable or Disable Change

    Network Location - Enable or Disable Change

    Network Location - Enable or Disable Change

    How to Enable or Disable Changing Network Locations in Windows 7
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Enable or Disable Changing Network Locations in Windows 7

       Information
    A network location identifies the type of network that a computer is connected to and automatically sets the appropriate firewall settings for that location.

    This will show you how to enable or disable all users to be able to change the network location of your computer in Windows 7.
       Warning
    You will only be able to do this while logged in as an administrator.

    EXAMPLE: Change Network Location Disabled Message
    NOTE: This is the message all users will get when trying to change the network location when that option has been disabled.
    Network Location - Enable or Disable Change-disabled.jpg




    OPTION ONE

    Through Network List Manager Policies


    1. Open the Local Security Policy editor.
    A) In the left pane, select Network List Manager Policies. (see screenshot below)
    Network Location - Enable or Disable Change-secpol-1.jpg
    B) Go to step 3, 4, or 5.
    OR

    2. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.
    A) In the left pane, click on to expand Computer Configuration, Windows Settings, Security Settings, and Network List Manager Policies. (see screenshot below)
    Network Location - Enable or Disable Change-gpedit-1.jpg
    B) Go to step 3, 4, or 5.
    3. To Enable or Disable Changing All Network Locations
    A) In the right pane, double click on All Networks. (see screenshots above)

    B) To Enable Changing All Network Locations
    NOTE: If set to Not Configured, then the setting in step 4C and 5D below will override this setting.
    • Under Network location, select (dot) either Not Configured or User can change location, then click on OK. (see screenshot below)
    • Go to step 6.

    Network Location - Enable or Disable Change-all_networks_properties.jpg
    C) To Disable Changing All Network Locations
    NOTE: This will override any setting that you may have set in step 4 and 5 below.
    • Under Network location, select (dot) User cannot change location, then click on OK. (see screenshot above)
    • Go to step 6.
    4. To Enable or Disable Changing Unidentified Network Locations
    A) In the right pane, double click on Unidentified Networks. (see screenshot below step 1A or 2A)

    B) To Enable Changing Unidentified Network Locations
    NOTE: The setting in step 3C above will override this setting.
    • Under User permissions, select (dot) either Not Configured or User can change location, then click on OK. (see screenshot below)
    • Go to step 6.

    Network Location - Enable or Disable Change-unidentified_networks_properties.jpg
    C) To Disable Changing Unidentified Network Locations
    NOTE: If step 3B above is set to Not Configured, then this will override that setting.
    • Under User permissions, select (dot) User cannot change location, then click on OK. (see screenshot above)
    • Go to step 6.
    5. To Enable or Disable Changing a Specific Network Location
    A) Open the Network and Sharing Center to see what the name of a network (ex: Network for me below) that you want to enable or disable changing of it's network location. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE: You can open the Network and Sharing Center from within the Control Panel, or by right clicking on your Network icon in taskbar notification area.
    Network Location - Enable or Disable Change-network_sharing_center.jpg
    B) In the right pane, double click on your network name (ex: Network). (see screenshot below step 1A or 2A)

    C) To Enable Changing a Specific Network Location
    NOTE: If step 3B above is set to Not Configured, then this will override that setting.
    • Click on the Network Location tab. (see screenshot below)
    • Under User permissions, select (dot) either Not Configured or User can change location, then click on OK. (see screenshot below)
    • Go to step 6.

    Network Location - Enable or Disable Change-your_network_properties.jpg
    D) To Disable Changing a Specific Network Location
    NOTE: This will override the setting in step 3B above.
    • Click on the Network Location tab. (see screenshot above)
    • Under User permissions, select (dot) User cannot change location, then click on OK. (see screenshot above)
    • Go to step 6.
    6. Close the Local Security Policy or Local Group Policy Editor.




    OPTION TWO

    Using a REG File Download


    NOTE: You will need to use OPTION ONE to enable or disable changing a unidentified network or a specific network instead.
    1. To Enable Changing All Network Locations
    NOTE: The setting in step 4C and 5D in OPTION ONE above will override this setting.
    A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
    Enable_Changing_All_Networks_Location.reg
    B) Go to step 3.
    2. To Disable Changing All Network Locations
    NOTE: This will override any setting that you may have set in step 4 and 5 in OPTION ONE above.
    A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below
    Disable_Changing_All_Networks_Location.reg
    B) Go to step 4.
    3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

    4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

    5. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

    6. Restart the computer to apply.

    7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
    That's it,
    Shawn







  1. Posts : 1
    3 computers: Win XP 32 bit, Win 7 Home prem 32 bit and 64 bit
       #1

    Hi. My home connection started showing up as an unidentified network. When I try to change it, I get the error message that you have shown in your picture, telling me to try later. I tried following your instructions, but discovered that my Windows7 home premium version does not have either of the configuration menus you suggest.

    Can you please give step-by-steps for how I can change my network from "unidentified" to "work" in Home Premium.

    Thanks
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 71,976
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Hello Fszaba, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    You might see if using step 3 in OPTION TWO of the tutorial below may be able to set your unidentified network to a work type.

    Unidentified Networks - Set as Private or Public

    Hope this helps,
    Shawn
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 16
    Windows 7 professional 64 bit
       #3

    This doesn't work and jerky microsoft locked their thread on this before a solution was found.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 71,976
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    NickMDal said:
    This doesn't work and jerky microsoft locked their thread on this before a solution was found.

    Hello Nick,

    Please provide more details to see what we can do to help.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 16
    Windows 7 professional 64 bit
       #5

    I solved my problem. Had newly switched from a Spectrum combined cablemodem/router to separates. Mistakenly thought wifi/router was just a wifi device.

    So I expected the cablemodem to do DHCP, which it cannot. So only one machine could get internet access at a time. Once I stuck the wifi/router between the cablemodem and my switch, all worked. Thanks for offering to help!
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 71,976
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    NickMDal said:
    I solved my problem. Had newly switched from a Spectrum combined cablemodem/router to separates. Mistakenly thought wifi/router was just a wifi device.

    So I expected the cablemodem to do DHCP, which it cannot. So only one machine could get internet access at a time. Once I stuck the wifi/router between the cablemodem and my switch, all worked. Thanks for offering to help!

    Great news.
      My Computer


 

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