How to change your Windows 7 network type from Public to Private? – PhotoSync

If PhotoSync on your phone or tablet is unable to transfer to your Windows 7 computer, it may be due to the network adapter settings in Windows 7. If the network is set to behave like a public network, it allows connections to the Internet, but denies connections to other devices on the same network for security reasons.

The following steps show how to find out if your network allows a connection to other devices on the same network and how to change the network settings if not.

Before you can determine the best way to classify your network, you need to understand what Microsoft sees as the difference between home, work, and public:

• Public: Windows 7 puts up your PC’s shields. Windows Firewall plugs almost all its openings and protects its internal programs for being connected to potentially hostile network.
• Work: Windows 7 opens the Windows Firewall so that you can communicate with other computers on your network and share folders, say, or use printers on the network. Windows also starts services that make your computer visible on the network.
• Home: Windows 7 goes out and looks for other Windows 7 computers on the network. If it finds other Windows 7 computers that have a HomeGroup going, it invites you to join that HomeGroup. If it doesn’t find one, Windows 7 asks whether you want to start one.

To customize the network type, open the Start menu, and then open the Control Panel:

Windows 7 Control Panel

In the Control Panel, under Network and Internet, click View network status and tasks. Windows now opens the Network and Sharing Center.

Network and Sharing Center

If your active network is displayed as Public network, change the network type by clicking Public network and opening a selection window:

Network type selection for an active network

Select Home network or Work network to set the new network type. The selection closes the window and displays the new network type in the Network and Sharing Center.

Network and Sharing Center