When you connect a Windows 11 computer to a new Wi-Fi or Ethernet network for the first time, it prompts you to classify the connection. Behind the scenes, Windows uses this classification to apply specific firewall rules. A “Public” profile locks down your computer, making it invisible to other devices to protect you in places like airports or cafes. A “Private” profile assumes you are on a trusted home or office network, enabling features like file sharing, network printer discovery, and casting to smart TVs.
If you accidentally clicked the wrong option during the initial setup, or if you need to enable file sharing on your home network but cannot see other computers, you must change your active network profile. This guide explains how to toggle between Public and Private profiles.
How to Change a Wi-Fi Network Profile
Follow these steps if your computer is connected to the router wirelessly.
- Click the Start button and select the Settings gear icon (or press Windows Key + I).
- In the left-hand sidebar, click on Network & internet.
- Click on Wi-Fi.
- Click on the specific name (SSID) of the Wi-Fi network you are currently connected to. (Do not click “Manage known networks”).
- You will see a section labelled Network profile type with two radio buttons.
- Select Private network if you are at home and need to share files or print. Select Public network if you are at a hotel or cafe and require maximum security.
The changes to the Windows Defender Firewall take effect immediately; you do not need to restart your computer.
How to Change an Ethernet (Wired) Network Profile
The process is slightly different if your computer is physically plugged into the router with an Ethernet cable.
- Navigate to Settings > Network & internet.
- Click on Ethernet.
- Under the “Network profile type” section, select either Public network or Private network.
A Warning Regarding Network Discovery
Simply changing a network to “Private” does not automatically share all the files on your hard drive. It only tells the firewall to allow network discovery traffic. To actually share files between Windows 11 computers, you must also manually configure Advanced Sharing settings.
If you only need to cast a video to a smart TV or print a document to a wireless network printer, switching the profile to Private is all that is required.