How to stop Windows from changing your network type

Windows recognizes two network types for networks without a domain server: private and public. On a private network, other users can see your computer, and you can enable file and printer sharing. If the computer is set to a public network, sharing is disabled, the computer is invisible on the network, and the firewall allows fewer exceptions.

By setting the network type, you can enable more functions in a secure, private environment. Higher security requirements are taken into account for a Wi-Fi network in a public space (like on a train or at an airport). For each new network connection, Windows selects the network type “Public,” which you can change to “Private.” The system remembers this setting when you reconnect to this network.

However, due to a bug, Windows sometimes changes the classifications of Wi-Fi networks that are already known to the system, automatically switching private networks to public ones and vice versa. This is dangerous because a Wi-Fi network on a train, for example, could be classified as private, making your computer visible to fellow passengers. Hackers could then monitor your data traffic or launch targeted attacks on your computer.

There are various methods to counter this unintentional change of network profile. The most radical is to delete all saved Wi-Fi networks in Windows. To do this, open “Settings” and go to “Network and Internet” –› “Wi-Fi” –› “Manage Known Networks.” Click on “Do not Save” for each individual network to remove it. When your computer reconnects to a previously known network, it treats it as a new one and you can select the appropriate network profile.

It’s also possible to change the network type of a Wi-Fi network from private to public or vice versa. You can do this in the registry database: type regedit in the search field of the start bar and click through to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\NetworkList\Profiles.” Here you’ll find a list of subfolders with names consisting of cryptic character combinations in curly brackets. Each folder represents a saved Wi-Fi network.

Click on the folders one after the other to view the data stored in the keys. The Wi-Fi name is listed under “Description,” and next to “Category” you can see whether it’s a private or public network. If it says “0x00000000 (0),” it’s a public network. The value “0x00000001 (1)” indicates a private network. To change this value and the network type, double-click on “Category,” enter 0 or 1 as the new value, and confirm with “OK.”

It also helps to reinstall the driver for the network adapter. In some cases, Windows uses an outdated driver that causes the problem. To update the driver, right-click on the Start button and then left-click on “Device Manager.” Now click on the small arrow in front of “Network Adapters” and then right-click on the adapter you’re using.

Select “Uninstall Device” –› “Uninstall.” Once the process is complete, close all windows and let Windows restart. The driver should be reinstalled. If it doesn’t reinstall and you’re unable to find the Wi-Fi entry in “Settings,” open Device Manager again, select “Network Adapters,” and click on “Action” –› “Scan for Hardware Changes” at the top.

Another helpful measure is to reset the stored network settings in Windows. Open “Settings” in the Windows Start menu and click on “Network and Internet” –› “Advanced Network Settings” –› “Reset Network” –› Reset Now.”

Finally, check the startup type of the Wi-Fi service. Type services in the search window, click on the “Services” result, double-click on “Automatic Wi-Fi Configuration,” and make sure the startup type is set to “Automatic.”