Windows 8 includes a built-in location platform that sends your regional location information to applications, web pages, and networks. While it can tailor ads and content to your needs, it can also be annoying at times. You can easily change or disable regional location settings through the Control Panel program. If you want, you can also change the network location status from “Public” to “Home” (home), or vice versa.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Changing Regional Location Settings
Step 1. Click the “File Explorer” icon
The File Explorer program is indicated by a folder icon which is usually shown next to the “Start” menu.
Step 2. Click "Desktop"
It's in the left sidebar of the File Explorer menu.
Step 3. Double click the “Control Panel” option
The Control Panel program will open and through the program, you can change the system settings of the computer.
You can also open Control Panel by holding down Win and touching the X button, then clicking the " Control Panel " option in the pop-up menu
Step 4. Double click the “Clock, Language, and Region” option
This Control Panel segment allows you to change the time and date, interface (or input) language, and regional location.
Step 5. Click "Change Location" in the "Region" section
The "Region" section is at the bottom of the "Clock, Language, and Region" menu.
Step 6. Click the “Location” tab
You can select a regional location from this segment.
Step 7. Click the column below the "Home location" text
A drop-down menu with several country options will appear. This option change is useful if you've recently moved to a new country or city, or haven't set your country of residence in the first place.
Step 8. Select the country of residence
If you don't see the country you want right away, scroll through the list first.
Step 9. Click "OK" to confirm the changes
Now, you have successfully changed the regional location settings!
Method 2 of 3: Changing Network Location Settings
Step 1. Make sure the computer is connected to the desired WiFi network
You must be actively using a WiFi network in order to make changes to your location settings.
To connect to a WiFi network, click the WiFi symbol in the toolbar in the lower right corner of the screen, then click the name of the network you want to use. You may need to enter your password before the computer connects
Step 2. Click the WiFi symbol in the lower right corner of the screen
The network menu will open and after that, you can select the currently active network.
Step 3. Right-click the selected network
A drop-down menu with several network settings options will be displayed.
Step 4. Click "Turn sharing on or off"
The network sharing option is more optimal for private networks because you don't have to worry if someone you don't want steals your data through this feature.
Step 5. Review the options
When a computer first connects to a network, Windows will ask if the network is a home (“Home”), office (“Work”), or public (“Public”) network. The category you select determines the network security settings. Changes to network sharing settings may affect the initial settings. For example, if you accidentally set your home network as a public network (“Public”), activating the “Turn on sharing…” option will reformat the network and give it private attributes.
- Click " No, don't turn on sharing or connect to devices " if you want to set public attributes on the network. Thus, the computer cannot be detected by other computers and devices (eg Bluetooth speakers or printers). If you select this option while the computer is connected to the home network, you cannot use other devices connected to the network through the computer.
- Click " Yes, turn on sharing and connect to devices " so that the network has private attributes. With this option, the computer can be detected by other computers and devices and effectively bypass the security of the “private” network. However, be careful if you enable this option in a public place because malicious sources can access your computer.
Step 6. Return to the desktop
Now you have successfully changed the network location settings!
Method 3 of 3: Disabling Location Services
Step 1. Click the “File Explorer” icon
The File Explorer program is indicated by a folder icon which is usually shown next to the “Start” menu.
Step 2. Click "Desktop"
Click "Desktops". It's in the left sidebar of the File Explorer menu.
Step 3. Double click the “Control Panel” option
The Control Panel program will open and through the program, you can change the system settings of the computer.
You can also open Control Panel by holding down Win and touching the X button, then clicking the " Control Panel " option in the pop-up menu
Step 4. Double click the “Location Settings” option
If you don't want your computer to send location information to third-party sources, you can turn off location services through this segment.
Step 5. Click the box next to "Turn on the Windows Location platform"
The tick will be removed from the box and indicate that the location platform is no longer active on the computer.
To enable location services, simply click the box again. Make sure the box is checked before you close the menu
Step 6. Click "Apply" to confirm the changes
Now you have successfully disabled location services!
Please note that disabling this service will affect features such as desktop news, application data collection, and website data collection. If you want the feature or service to remain location-specific, don't turn off location services
Tips
When you set up Windows 8 for the first time, you can enable or disable the location platform
Warning
- If you are unsure about the security of a particular site, turn off the location setting temporarily before visiting that site.
- Don't let the public access your home network.
