I'm trying to share files between a desktop and a laptop at full Gigabit speed. Both are running Windows 8.1 pro. I have them directly connected with static IPs. On the laptop, the network location is automatically set to "public" and I am unable to change it. Right clicking on the network in the flyout or in the System Settings metro app does nothing. Clicking on the network in the System Settings app only shows me the NIC's properties - MAC address etc, but no option to enable file sharing.
The desktop has no issues, it has the network set to private and connects just fine. I can ping it from the laptop and access shares on it from the laptop.
Any ideas on why the laptop won't let me change any of the network properties?