How to Enable or Disable "local access only" Network Icon in Windows 7 and Windows 8
InformationWindows includes a feature called Network Connectivity Status Indicator (NCSI), which is part of a broader feature called Network Awareness, that is used to automatically identify the network the PC is connecting to and whether or not it has access to the Internet.
For more detailed information, see: The Network Connection Status Icon - Microsoft Enterprise Networking Team - Site Home - TechNet Blogs
This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable showing the "local access only" network icon when users are not connected to the internet in Windows 7 and Windows 8.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.
- By default, the Internet access
or 
icon will be shown in the system tray when a user is connected to a network with internet access. - By default, the "local access only" (No Internet access)
or 
icon will be used when a user is connected to a network with local access only. - If disabled, the Internet access or icon will be shown in the system tray even when a user is connected to a network with local access only and no internet access.
For more detailed information, see: The Network Connection Status Icon - Microsoft Enterprise Networking Team - Site Home - TechNet Blogs
This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable showing the "local access only" network icon when users are not connected to the internet in Windows 7 and Windows 8.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.
EXAMPLE: "local access only" Network icon Enabled and Disabled
OPTION ONE
Enable or Disable "local access only" Network Icon using REG File
NoteThe .reg files below are for the registry key and value below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Network Connections
NC_DoNotShowLocalOnlyIcon DWORD
0 or delete = Enable
1 = Disable
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Network Connections
NC_DoNotShowLocalOnlyIcon DWORD
0 or delete = Enable
1 = Disable
1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.
2. To Enable "local access only" Network Icon
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Enable_Local_Access_Only_Network_Icon.reg
3. To Disable "local access only" Network Icon
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Disable_Local_Access_Only_Network_Icon.reg
4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge
7. Restart explorer, sign out and in, or restart the computer to apply.
8. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
OPTION TWO
Enable or Disable "local access only" Network Icon in Group Policy
1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.
2. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.
3. In the left pane, click on to expand Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Network, and open Network Connections. (see screenshot below)
4. In the right pane of Network Connections, double click/tap on Do not show the "local access only" network icon to edit it. (see screenshot above)
5. Do step 6 or 7 below for what you would like to do.
6. To Enable "local access only" Network Icon
A) Select (dot) Disabled or Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below step 7A)
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.
7. To Disable "local access only" Network Icon
A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)
8. You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor window if you like.
That's it,
Shawn
Attachments
Last edited by a moderator: