Windows network locations – public versus private
A recurring question on the OpenVPN mailing lists is how to change the network location of OpenVPN's TAP-Win virtual network adapter from public to private. This question started popping up with the introduction of Windows Vista. The answer to this question is unfortunately quite lengthy. In this section, we will explore different methods that allow us to change the network location of the TAP-Win adapter on Windows clients.
Background
Starting with Windows Vista, Microsoft introduced the concept of network locations. In Windows 7, there are three network locations: Home, Work, and Public. These network locations apply to all network adapters: wired network adapters, wireless adapters, and also OpenVPN's virtual TAP-Win network adapter.
The Home network location is intended for a home network and provides a high level of trust. It also includes the Home group feature, where a computer can easily connect to all other devices at home. Similarly...
