How can I rename a network in Windows 8?

OK! I finally just found this related (but slightly different) question and answer, and I was able to solve my problem using the registry keys provided in that answer:

Remove a known network from Windows 8

Note: I don't think this question should be closed as a duplicate, because it's a bit different, and the solution is a bit simpler. You don't need to delete your new network, you can simply rename a few values.

How to rename "Network 2" to "Network":

Open regedit and browse to each of the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Nla\Cache\Intranet
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Profiles
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Signatures\Unmanaged

1. Dig through all of the keys, subkeys, and values under each of those keys, and look for any instances of "Network" and "Network 2" in the values. (I only found instances under the 2nd and 3rd keys — not the 1st — but I'm leaving that key in for completeness.)
2. Delete any keys (i.e., the whole key "folder") that contain values set to "Network". These are the registry entries for your old network, which is no longer in use.
3. Find all of the keys that contain values set to "Network 2", and rename those values to "Network". These are the registry entries for your new network.
4. Reboot your computer.

Voila! No more "Network 2".

Hit Winkey + R => open the Run prompt => enter secpol.msc

Navigate to: Network List Manager Policies

Choose your Network name from the right pane. Here you can change the NAME, if is PRIVATE or not, The ICON of the network and so on

You can also set the defaults - Microsoft should have set these defaults before shipping Windows 8.1