Windows Network Connections are stuck in Public Network mode

While creating a new Network on your Windows computer, you are asked if you would like to treat the connection as a Home network, Work network, or a Public network. You are also given the option to check a box which says:

Treat all future networks that I connect to as public, and don’t ask me again.

If you have checked this box, you may be unable to change or set your network connection location when attempting to connect to a network in the future.

Windows Network Connections are stuck in Public Network mode

The location associated with the network connection may not be a clickable link and the Windows Network connections will be stuck in Public mode.

To resolve this issue, Microsoft suggests the following:

Network Connection link is not clickable

1. Open Device Manager and expand Network adapters
2. Right-click on the first adapter under Network Adapters and click Disable, and then repeat this step for all network adapters. Your monitor may blink.
3. Re-enable only the adapter that’s associated with the public-network setting that you are trying to change.
4. Click Start, and type Network and Sharing Center in the Search programs and files box, and then click Network and Sharing Center, from the list
5. In the lower-left side of the dialog box, click Choose Homegroup and sharing options.
6. Click What is a network location, and select your network location.
7. Finally, re-enable your remaining adapters, one by one in Device Manager.
8. Right-click each of the disabled adapters under Network Adapters and click Enable.
9. When all Network Adapters are enabled, close the Device Manager and you’re done.

I hope this helps. If it does not, then do the following:

• Run Network Troubleshooters
• Run SFC and DISM scans to repair a corrupted OS.

All the best.

Why is my network showing as a public network?

Your network is showing as a public network because Windows defaults new connections to the public for security reasons. This setting changes firewall rules and can block services like network printing. To enable sharing and printing, you can change the network type to private in the settings.

How to change network connection from public to private?

To change a network connection from public to private, go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi. Select Manage known networks, choose your network, and under Network profile type, select Private. This will make your network more secure and discoverable by other devices.