Windows 8 includes a location service that is used by applications, websites, and networks to find the locale in use on your computer. Although this service serves to improve the content and advertising that are offered to you based on your needs and personal tastes, in some cases it can be invasive. You can change or disable this setting directly from the Windows "Control Panel". It is also possible to change the profile used for the network connection from "Public" to "Private" or vice versa.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Change the International Settings
Step 1. Open a "File Explorer" window
To do this, you have to click on the relative icon characterized by a folder and placed next to the button to access the "Start" menu.
Step 2. Select the "Desktop" item
It is located in the tree menu on the left of the "File Explorer" window that has appeared.
Step 3. Double click on the "Control Panel" option
This will bring up the Windows "Control Panel" window from which you can change most of the system settings.
Alternatively, you can access the "Control Panel" by pressing the hotkey combination ⊞ Win + X and choosing the "Control Panel" item from the context menu that appeared
Step 4. Double click on the "Clock and Regional Options" option
Within this section of the "Control Panel" you can change the settings relating to date, time, language and location.
Step 5. Select the "Change country / region" link located within the "Region" section
The latter is located at the bottom of the "Clock and International Options" screen.
Step 6. Go to the "Location" tab
From here it is possible to change the place of residence.
Step 7. Click the "Place of residence" drop-down menu
In this way you will have the possibility to select a new location among those proposed. Changing this information is necessary when moving to a different geographic area than the current one or if it was not set during the initial system setup.
Step 8. Select your current place of residence
The drop-down menu showing the options to choose from is very large, so if you don't immediately find your desired geographic area, simply scroll down the list.
Step 9. Press the "OK" button to apply and save the new changes
Congratulations, you have successfully edited the information for the location where you live.
Part 2 of 3: Change the Network Profile Settings
Step 1. Make sure you are connected to the default Wi-Fi network (the one you normally use)
In order to change the network profile settings, the computer must necessarily be connected to an active network.
To log in to a Wi-Fi network, click the relevant icon located in the Windows notification area located on the right of the taskbar (in the lower right corner of the desktop), then select the name of the network you want to connect to. You will most likely need to type in your security password before you can establish a connection
Step 2. Click the icon indicating the Wi-Fi network connection in the lower right corner of the screen
You'll see a full list of all wireless networks detected in the area you're currently in, so you can select the one your computer is connected to.
Step 3. Select the Wi-Fi network you are connected to with the right mouse button
A context menu will be displayed.
Step 4. Choose the option "Enable or disable sharing"
Network sharing settings are a great way to protect your network from malicious people who would like to acquire personal data from other users.
Step 5. Check the current settings
When you log into a network for the first time, the Windows operating system asks you whether the network under consideration is public, corporate, or private. Based on the chosen category, a specific security profile will be applied. By changing the network share settings, the initial configuration is changed. For example, if you accidentally set access to your home network as "Public", choosing the "Enable sharing" option will automatically reset a private network profile.
- Choose the option "No, do not enable sharing or connecting to devices", if you want to have a public profile assigned to your network. This way the system will not be visible on the network by other devices or computers (such as printers or Bluetooth speakers). If you choose this configuration while connected to your home network, you will not be able to use other devices on the network through your computer.
- Choose the option "Yes, enable sharing and connecting to devices", if you want a private security profile associated with the current LAN network. This way the computer will be visible to other devices or systems connected to the network. Be very careful to use this network profile when you are connected in public areas (libraries, city hotspots, internet cafes), as your computer could be exposed to the risk of unauthorized access by malicious people.
Step 6. Return to the desktop
Close all currently open configuration windows and resume your normal activities.
Part 3 of 3: Disabling Location Services
Step 1. Open a "File Explorer" window
To do this, you have to click on the relative icon, characterized by a folder, next to the button to access the "Start" menu.
Step 2. Select the "Desktop" item
It is located in the tree menu on the left of the "File Explorer" window that has appeared.
Step 3. Double click on the "Control Panel" option
This will bring up the Windows "Control Panel" window from which you can change most of the system settings.
Alternatively you can access the "Control Panel" by pressing the hotkey combination ⊞ Win + X and choosing the "Control Panel" item from the context menu that appeared
Step 4. Double-click the "Position Settings" icon
If you don't want your computer to share your current location with third party sources or services, you can disable the service using this option.
Step 5. Uncheck the "Enable Windows Location Platform" checkbox
In this way the service in question will be automatically deactivated.
To activate it again, simply select the relevant check button. Make sure that the classic check mark is present before closing the configuration window
Step 6. Press the "Apply" button to save the new changes
Congratulations you have successfully disabled the Windows Location Service.
Remember that disabling the geographic location service will have a negative impact on some features of the operating system, for example on receiving news and on all applications and websites that take advantage of the geographic location to provide services and features. If you need to receive information and data based on your current geographic location, do not disable this Windows service
Advice
When you do the initial setup of Windows 8, you can choose whether to enable or disable the use of location information
Warnings
- Never authorize public access to your home LAN.
- If you are unsure whether a particular website is safe and trustworthy, consider temporarily disabling the location settings before accessing it.
