How to change the Windows 8 network type from Public to Private

If PhotoSync on your phone or tablet is unable to transfer to your Windows 8 computer, it may be due to the network adapter settings in Windows 8. 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 this is not the case.

In the taskbar at the bottom right you should see a network icon for your active connection, right-click the icon to open the context menu and select Open Network and Sharing Center from the context menu.

Network connection context menu
Network connection context menu

In the Network and Sharing Center, check whether your connection is a Public network or a Private network.

Network and Sharing Center
Network and Sharing Center

To change a Public network to a Private network, left-click the active network connection icon in the lower left taskbar.

Right-click your current connected network to open the context menu and select Turn sharing on or off from the context menu.

Turn sharing on or off
Turn sharing on or off

If you want to make your network a Private network to make your computer visible to other devices on the same network and allow communication with other devices on the same network, click Yes, turn on sharing and connect to devices.

Sharing settings
Sharing settings

Open Network and Sharing Center again to confirm that you have now changed your network settings to a Private Network.

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