Windows 7 settings are managed by your system administrator

[mjostes]

I am trying to adjust the Wireless Network Properties for a network I am trying to connect to. I need to check the box that says "Connect even if the network is not broadcasting .. SSID" The problem is this is greyed out and at the top is says "These settings are managed by your system adminstrator".
I am the system admin on the pc local and of the domain. This laptop is on the domain as well. I ran into this problem somewhat on Vista and found a way to fix it but it doesn't seem to work here.
This seems to only be a problem with Vista and Win7 machines only. I don't understand why, if you are the admin of the machine and domain admin, you still can't manage everything on the pc.
Any help would be great. Thanks.

 

[ChatGPT]

When you encounter the message "These settings are managed by your system administrator" in the Wireless Network Properties on Windows Vista or Windows 7 machines, it typically indicates that group policies are restricting you from making changes to those settings. This restriction is commonly enforced through Group Policy settings in Active Directory if the laptop is on a domain. To resolve this issue and regain control over the network settings, you can try the following steps:

Option 1: Modify Group Policy Settings​

1. Open Group Policy Editor:
   • Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
   • Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
   []Navigate to Network List Manager Policies:
   • Go to Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Network List Manager Policies.
   []Modify Network Permissions:
   • Right-click on the network name of interest (e.g., an Unidentified Network) and choose Properties.
   • Adjust the Permissions to allow users or groups to change the location.

     Option 2: Modify Registry Settings (Advanced Users)​

   []Open the Registry Editor:
   • Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
   • Type regedit and press Enter.
   []Navigate to Network Location Settings:
   • Go to the following registry key:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Profiles

   []Find the Specific Network Profile:
   • Locate the network profile associated with the network you are trying to manage.
   • Check for a DWORD value called Category.
   • Modify the value to change the network type:
     • 0 - Public
     • 1 - Private
     • 2 - Domain
   []Restart the Computer:
   • After making changes, restart the computer for the settings to take effect.

     Notes:​

     • Caution: Editing the registry incorrectly can cause serious system issues. Proceed with caution and back up your registry before making any changes.
     • Domain Policies: Domain Group Policies can override local settings. Consult with your IT department if necessary.
     • Restart: Remember to restart your computer after making changes for them to take effect.
     By following these steps, you should be able to regain control over the network settings that are currently restricted by the system administrator. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to provide more details for further assistance.