Set a Network as Private or Public in Windows 11 (and Why File Sharing Needs Private)

You want to switch your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection between Public and Private in Windows 11 — usually because file sharing, a printer, or seeing other PCs suddenly stopped working.

Why: Windows uses the network profile to decide how much to trust the other devices around you. On a Public network your PC is hidden and file and printer sharing is turned off on purpose; on a Private network your PC is discoverable and sharing is allowed. New connections default to Public, so a home PC that can’t share is very often just sitting on the wrong profile.

Fix 1: Change the profile for your current connection

For Wi-Fi:

1. Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Click your network name (the one with Connected, secured under it) to open its properties.
3. Under Network profile type, choose Private network.

For Ethernet:

1. Settings → Network & internet → Ethernet.
2. Under Network profile type, choose Private network.

Set it to Private for your home or office network you trust, and leave it on Public network (Recommended) for coffee shops, hotels and other networks you don’t.

Fix 2: Know which profile you actually need

• Private — your PC is discoverable to other devices and can use file and printer sharing. Use this only on networks where you know and trust the other people and devices.
• Public (Recommended) — your PC is hidden from other devices, so you can’t share files or printers. This is the default and the safer choice on any network you don’t control.

So if you’re trying to share a folder, map a drive, or reach a network printer and it won’t work, the connection is almost always still set to Public. Switching it to Private (Fix 1) is the fix.

Fix 3: Turn on discovery and sharing after you switch

Setting the profile to Private allows sharing, but you may still need to switch the features on:

1. Settings, then search for and open Manage advanced sharing settings.
2. Under Private networks, turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing.

Now your PC will both see other devices and let trusted devices reach its shared folders and printers.

FAQ

I switched to Private but still can’t share. Turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing under Private networks in Advanced sharing settings (Fix 3) — the profile only unlocks them, it doesn’t enable them.

Will Private make my PC less safe? It applies a looser, more trusting firewall profile, which is fine on a home network you control but a bad idea on public Wi-Fi. When in doubt, leave it on Public (Recommended).

Why did my network reset back to Public? New networks default to Public, and some changes (like a router swap) can register the connection as new. Just set it to Private again.

Sources: Microsoft Support — Make a Wi-Fi network public or private in Windows