How to Set Unidentified Networks to be a Private or Public Network Location
Sometimes Windows 7 is unable to identify the network it is connected to due to a network issue or lack of identifiable characteristics. This type of network is called a unidentified network. 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 set a unidentified network to always be set as a private (work) or public network location as displayed in the Network and Sharing Center.

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Choosing a network location
The first time that you connect to a network, you must choose a network location. This automatically sets the appropriate firewall and security settings for the type of network that you connect to. If you connect to networks in different locations (for example, a network at your home, at a local coffee shop, or at work), choosing a network location can help ensure that your computer is always set to an appropriate security level.

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How to Enable or Disable Changing Network Locations
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.

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Change where you back up your files
When you set up your computer to automatically back up files, you specify a location where the files are stored. You can change this location if you run out of space in the current location or if you want to change the type of storage location (such as a DVD, a hard disk on your computer, or a shared folder on another computer on a network).

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View the status of your network
Network and Sharing Center provides real-time status information about your network. You can see if your computer is connected to your network or the Internet, the type of connection, and what level of access you have to other computers and devices on the network. This information can be useful when you set up your network or if you have connection problems. You can find more detailed information about your network in the network map, which is accessible from Network and Sharing Center.

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Set up a remote connection to your workplace using VPN
From another location, you can connect to a workplace network or another network by using a virtual private network (VPN) connection. Ask your network administrator for the name of the VPN server before you open the wizard.

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Set up a security key for a wireless network
Personal information and files on your wireless network can sometimes be seen by people who pick up your network signal. This can lead to identity theft and other malicious acts. A network security key or passphrase can help protect your wireless network from this type of unauthorized access.

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What you need to set up a home network
The variety of options for home networking can make buying decisions difficult. Before you decide what hardware to get, you should decide what type of network technology (the way computers in a network connect to or communicate with one another) to use. This article describes and compares the most common network technologies and lists hardware requirements for each.

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Change Network Type
You may change your network type depending on the place and network you are connected to.

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Start here to set up a network
There are six steps in the process of setting up a home or small office network. Each step is listed below along with links to detailed information about that step. 1. Plan your network 2. Get the necessary hardware and an (optional) ISP 3. Set up the router 4. Connect the router to the Internet (optional) 5. Connect computers and devices to the network 6. Create a homegroup or turn on file and printer sharing

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