To change a network from public to private in Windows 11, open Settings > Network & internet, click Wi-Fi (or Ethernet), open your network’s properties, and under Network profile type select Private network. The change takes effect immediately and lets other devices on your home network find your PC for file and printer sharing.
Use Private only on networks you trust, such as your home. Leave coffee shop, hotel, and airport Wi-Fi on Public.
Quick Answer
Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > [your network] properties > Network profile type > Private network.
Change a Wi-Fi Network to Private
- Press Win + I to open Settings.
- Click Network & internet, then Wi-Fi.
- Click [network name] properties at the top. For a network you aren’t connected to, use Manage known networks and select it.
- Under Network profile type, select Private network.
Change an Ethernet Network to Private
- Go to Settings > Network & internet > Ethernet.
- Under Network profile type, select Private network.
Public vs. Private: What Changes
| Setting | Public network | Private network |
|---|---|---|
| PC visible to other devices | No | Yes |
| File and printer sharing | Blocked | Allowed if turned on |
| Firewall profile used | Public (stricter) | Private |
| Best for | Cafes, hotels, airports, school | Home or a trusted small office |
After switching, check Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings and make sure Network discovery and File and printer sharing are on under Private networks if you plan to share files. Our guide to transferring files between PCs in Windows 11 uses this setting.
Change the Profile With PowerShell
If the option is missing in Settings, right-click Start, open Terminal (Admin), and run:
Get-NetConnectionProfileto see each network’s name, InterfaceAlias, and category.Set-NetConnectionProfile -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -NetworkCategory Private, replacing Wi-Fi with the InterfaceAlias shown.
If a website is blocked, the firewall usually isn’t the cause; see how to allow a website through the firewall in Windows 11.
Troubleshooting
- Network profile type isn’t shown: The PC may be joined to a work domain (the category is Domain and can’t be changed), managed by your organization, or connected through a VPN adapter. Use PowerShell or ask IT.
- It switches back to Public: The network may be identified as a new or “Unidentified network” after a router change. Set it again, or give the router a fixed network name.
- Other PCs still can’t see yours: Turn on Network discovery in Advanced sharing settings, and restart both PCs.
- Old saved sign-ins cause errors when you connect to shares: See how to remove network credentials in Windows 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a private network less secure?
Slightly, because your PC can be discovered by other devices on the same network. That’s fine at home, but not on shared public Wi-Fi.
Why does Windows recommend Public?
Public is the safer default when Windows doesn’t know whether a network can be trusted.
Do I need Private to use the internet?
No. Both types give full internet access. Private only matters for sharing and device discovery on the local network.
Summary
- Open Settings > Network & internet.
- Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet and open the network’s properties.
- Choose Private network.
- Turn on network discovery if you want to share files.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.