Share this article
Improve this guide
Network Locations in Windows 10: Where are They Stored
Network locations or profiles are critical for security
4 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
Share this article
Improve this guide
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more
Key notes
Online safety is quite important. Therefore, Microsoft created several features designed to protect Windows 10 users. Network locations are one of these features, and today we’re going to explain to you what network locations are in Windows 10.
Besides, users have been wondering where network locations are stored in Windows 10 or how these actually work. If you are one of them, keep reading to find out the answer to all these questions!
What is the network location on my computer?
Network locations are designed to protect your PC while connecting to different networks. These also helpprotect your device on a public Wi-Fi network.
Network locations were introduced in Windows Vista, and over the years, Microsoft improved and streamlined that feature. This feature made its way to Windows 10, and it works almost the same as in previous iterations of Windows.
Network location is basically a profile with certain settings related to network discovery and file sharing.
When you access a certain network for the first time, Windows 10 will ask you to choose one of the three profiles:Home network,Work network, andPublic network. Each of these profiles comes with different settings optimized for certain conditions.
Let’s find out about the network profiles in Windows 10:
Where are network locations stored in Windows 10?
Now you should see network settings for all available profiles. You’ll notice that there are two groups of profiles, Private which includes Work and Home network profiles, and Guest or Public group.
Here’s a brief description of options that appear under thePrivateprofile.
Guest or Public group has only two options,Network discoveryandFile and printer sharing.
Last on our list is theAll Networksgroup, and here are brief descriptions of the options under it:
Network locations are an important feature of Windows 10, and we hope you understand a bit better how network locations work, where are these stored, and how you can make the most out of them for enhanced security.
Before you leave, find out thebest security settings to enablefor a safer Windows experience.
For any queries or to share what prompted you to look at the network locations in Windows 10, drop a comment below.
More about the topics:Network,windows 10
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
User forum
0 messages
Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes
Comment*
Name*
Email*
Commenting as.Not you?
Save information for future comments
Comment
Δ
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
Reviewed byAlex Serban