Connect to Local Network But Not the Internet?

Is there a way to do this? I want the machine to stay offline, but I'd like to be able to access network storage.

I've tried to search for an answer but all I can find is people trying to fix non-working internet connections.

The simple solution is to remove the default gateway setting from your network interface. Every PC knows how to communicate directly with other devices on the same local network (subnet). But to see outside of the network, you need a default gateway to relay traffic.

Your ISP router may serve as a local hub (if it has multiple network ports). If your PC is plugged in here, the ISP router still won't forward traffic to outside as long as you don't have a default gateway defined.

If there's a need to temporarily restore Internet access, add the gateway setting. Then remove it again.

How do I remove the default gateway?

Under Settings / Network, bring up your Ethernet's properties. IP Settings -> Edit

1. If you have Automatic (DHCP), then you will need to switch to Manual setting because DHCP means your router is always providing the Default Gateway for you. In this case, write down all the current settings except for Gateway. Change to Manual, and copy the old settings into the same fields.

2. If you have Manual setting, then erase the Gateway field. Repeat this if you have both IPv4 and IPv6 enabled (sometimes you have one or the other).

I'm not really following how to get to the settings. Is it the adapter settings? Then properties, IPv4 properties? That's allowing me to set IP, gateway, DNS, etc. No values inserted, all on automatic, I ran an ipconfig to get the right numbers, put those in, left gateway blank, but I'm still connected to the internet.

You probably have to reboot, since you have an active default route.

garlin said:

You probably have to reboot, since you have an active default route.

Yep, all working now.