topic Re: change Public Network setting to Home network setting in Tech Help - Software/Hardware etc

change Public Network setting to Home network setting

ben731 — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 10:23:03 GMT

Hi,

I have just joined PlusNet. On Wednesday an engineer connected my router to the internet. It is set to a public network, I do not now how to change the setting to Home network.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Ben731

Re: change Public Network setting to Home network setting

MisterW — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 11:10:13 GMT

@ben731 if its a Windows device , then this https://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-set-your-networks-location-private-or-public-windows-10/ should help

Re: change Public Network setting to Home network setting

Townman — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 11:19:09 GMT

@ben731

What is the context of this question - why do you want to change this? If there is just one device connecting to the router, this setting makes no meaningful difference.

This characteristic does not relate to the network as such, but rather how that device perceives the network's nature. If your intention is to be able to access other resources (other computer's file store / services, printers, NAS, etc...) on the local network (LAN) then the other devices will also need to be reconfigured to recognise the new router as being a private network.

The key difference between private and public in this context is "Should the computer in question accept connection requests from other devices ON YOUR NETWORK". It has nothing to do with a third party being able to make (or being prohibited from making) a connection to the network.

Re: change Public Network setting to Home network setting

ben731 — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 22:13:18 GMT

Thank you, I thought it meant that people could access my P.C. It seems that they cannot. So it doesn't seem to matter if my internet setting is Public then.

Ben 731

Moderator's note by Mike (Mav): The fix has been changed to @Townman as per message #3.

Re: change Public Network setting to Home network setting

Townman — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 20:22:50 GMT

It’s not your internet setting. It is a characteristic your device determines of your LOCAL network (your side of your router). This has nothing to do with the network and people’s ability to access the network.

You are right in part - this determines the ability of other devices in your local network to access your computer. The Internet is the other side of your router.

The local network being deemed public prohibits other local devices connecting to your computer. That might not be desirable.

Re: change Public Network setting to Home network setting

ben731 — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 11:44:45 GMT

Thank you for your assistance. It is very much appreciated.