Access local network without internet access.

Winuser · Feb 21, 2022

I'm going to be setting up a computer to stream my media files wirelessly to devices in my home using the Mezzmo streaming software. I would like to have this computer only be able to have access to the devices in my home and not be able to access the internet. Is this possible? The main reason is that the computer doesn't meet the Win 11 requirements and will be running Windows 10. To save money I would like to safely use this computer after the support for Win 10 stops.

thomaseg1 · Feb 21, 2022

Yes it is, I have old att modem/wifi/router which I use just for in house network.
I just set my tv's to that modem's network. I can stream to any tv or computer in the
house. To do so from your computer just set the wifi to the modem.

TheMystic · Feb 21, 2022

Winuser said:
I'm going to be setting up a computer to stream my media files wirelessly to devices in my home using the Mezzmo streaming software. I would like to have this computer only be able to have access to the devices in my home and not be able to access the internet. Is this possible? The main reason is that the computer doesn't meet the Win 11 requirements and will be running Windows 10. To save money I would like to safely use this computer after the support for Win 10 stops.

As Thomas said, if you have a spare router at home, use it without an internet connection. Your computer would stay connected to that router, and you can access/ stream files on it by connecting your other devices to this router whenever you want to stream.

But if the above method is inconvenient for you (it is for me), then you have a 3rd party solution:

Tinywall

Pretty much the only solution I have found so far.

Ghot · Feb 21, 2022

Winuser said:
I'm going to be setting up a computer to stream my media files wirelessly to devices in my home using the Mezzmo streaming software. I would like to have this computer only be able to have access to the devices in my home and not be able to access the internet. Is this possible? The main reason is that the computer doesn't meet the Win 11 requirements and will be running Windows 10. To save money I would like to safely use this computer after the support for Win 10 stops.

You may want to consider Powerline Networking. <---- Google this.
It's uses the wiring in your home to connect your various computers.

It can also connect to the internet, but I think you could just leave out the internet entirely, if desired.

I'm thinking a combination of Powerline Networking and something like this...

Can a Router Work Without the Internet? - Home Network Geek

Although it’s not very common, there have been times where I have lost my Internet connection. This got me thinking as to whether the router would continue to work without the Internet and whether all of my devices would still be able to communicate with each other.

homenetworkgeek.com

For wireless, you might try something like this...

How To Setup A Wireless Network Without Internet? - Internet Access Guide

How To Setup A Wireless Network Without Internet: You just need one router, an ethernet cable and a PC or Laptop that you can use to connect

internet-access-guide.com

tomdsr · Feb 22, 2022

even easier way. when you set up its network settings, leave the default gateway blank.

Winuser · Feb 22, 2022

Thanks everyone. When I set it up, I'll give these suggestions a try. What I want to do is to prevent just this one computer from the internet while still allowing the three Roku devices to be able to still stream from the internet. I was going to buy an inexpensive laptop with Windows 11 until I remembered we still have my wife's old AIO running Windows 10 that I can use.

Winuser · Feb 22, 2022

tomdsr said:
even easier way. when you set up its network settings, leave the default gateway blank.

Will this give just this one computer local access only?

TheMystic · Feb 22, 2022

tomdsr said:
even easier way. when you set up its network settings, leave the default gateway blank.

Will the computer be accessible over the network?

tomdsr · Feb 22, 2022

Winuser said:
Will this give just this one computer local access only?

TheMystic said:
Will the computer be accessible over the network?

yes. gateway is just for out to the internet.

Winuser · Feb 22, 2022

tomdsr said:
yes. gateway is just for out to the internet.

This will give the old AIO a little more life and save me from buying a new laptop.

Try3 · Feb 23, 2022

Winuser said:
I would like to have this computer only be able to have access to the devices in my home and not be able to access the internet. Is this possible?

Yes. Your router should have this capability. It'll be explained in its manual.

A router solution is better than messing about with Windows settings because it should never be changed by actions beyond your control i.e. Windows tantrums or Windows updates.

All the best,
Denis

cereberus · Feb 23, 2022

Winuser said:
I'm going to be setting up a computer to stream my media files wirelessly to devices in my home using the Mezzmo streaming software. I would like to have this computer only be able to have access to the devices in my home and not be able to access the internet. Is this possible? The main reason is that the computer doesn't meet the Win 11 requirements and will be running Windows 10. To save money I would like to safely use this computer after the support for Win 10 stops.

You have several years before you need to "emasculate" the old computer. Why bother until then - you are just reducing the functionality of old pc in meantime?

I think there is a fair chance support for W10 will continue past nominal EOL anyway, as it would be spectacular own goal i.e. a public relations disaster to tell something like 0.5 billion users "tough sh£t - buy a new pc"!!!

So why not wait and see?

jimbo45 · Feb 23, 2022

Old computers can be used for years safely as NAS devices -- You don't need to have Internet connection for LAN access -- Gateway as blank.

Cheers
jimbo

Winuser · Feb 23, 2022

Test :)

Try3 said:
Yes. Your router should have this capability. It'll be explained in its manual.

A router solution is better than messing about with Windows settings because it should never be changed by actions beyond your control i.e. Windows tantrums or Windows updates.

All the best,
Denis

I'm not sure if it has that setting or not. I upgraded my old Comcast modem with a new Comcast modem/Wi-Fi router so I could get Wi-Fi 6. As I recall, the last time I accessed the settings it was very limited.

Winuser · Feb 23, 2022

jimbo45 said:
Old computers can be used for years safely as NAS devices -- You don't need to have Internet connection for LAN access -- Gateway as blank.

Cheers
jimbo

Edit: I decided to not use the old AIO and bought a mini-PC running Windows 10 Pro. instead. I just ran WhyNotWin11 and it passes all requirements except the DirectX 12 so I'm think I'll be upgrading it to Windows 11 in the near future.

Winuser · Mar 16, 2022

As it turned out the CPU in the mini-PC isn't on the accepted list. I went ahead and used the reg hack and upgraded it to Win 11. So far, I haven't noticed any problems. When Windows 11 was setting up I got an option in Windows Defender asking if I wanted Mezzmo to have Public or Private access and I selected Private. If I have too, I can use my Macrium image to do a restore back to Windows 10. It would also be easy for me to do a clean install of Windows 10. Mezzmo and Macrium Reflect free are the only programs I installed.