Change Windows 10 Network Type: Private or Public

Windows 10 automatically assigns a network profile—Private or Public—to each Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection you use. This setting controls whether your PC is discoverable by other devices on the same network and how strictly Windows Firewall filters traffic. Changing it is useful when you connect to a new router, a friend’s home network, or a workplace network and need to switch between file sharing and maximum security. You can change the network type directly from the Settings app in under a minute, with no admin tools or third-party software required.

What You’ll Need

• A PC running Windows 10 (version 1709 or later, which includes the Settings-based network profile controls).
• An active connection to the network you want to change—you cannot alter a network you are not currently connected to.
• Administrator rights on the PC. Standard user accounts can view the setting but may be blocked from changing it.

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Settings app. Press Windows + I on your keyboard, or click the Start button and then the gear icon on the left side of the Start menu.
2. Go to Network & Internet. In the Settings window, click the Network & Internet tile (it has a globe icon).
3. Choose your connection type. On the left sidebar, click either Wi-Fi (if you are on a wireless network) or Ethernet (if you are using a cable).
4. Open the network properties.
   • For Wi-Fi: click the network name (SSID) listed under “Wi-Fi” at the top of the page. Do not click “Show available networks”—click the actual name of the network you are connected to.
   • For Ethernet: click the name of the Ethernet connection (usually “Ethernet” or “Ethernet 2”) in the center of the page.
5. Find the network profile section. Scroll down on the network’s properties page until you see a heading that says “Network profile.” Below it are two radio buttons: Private and Public.
6. Select the desired profile. Click the radio button next to Private or Public. The change takes effect immediately—there is no Save or Apply button. You can close the Settings window once the correct option is selected.
7. Verify the change (optional). Open File Explorer, click Network in the left sidebar. If you chose Private, you should see other devices on the network (if any are sharing files). If you chose Public, you will likely see a message that network discovery is turned off.

Common Mistakes

• Clicking the wrong network name. In the Wi-Fi settings, there are two lists: “Show available networks” and the list of known networks. You must click the network you are currently connected to (it will show “Connected” underneath it). Clicking a saved but inactive network shows its properties but the profile radio buttons may be grayed out.
• Confusing the network profile with the network name. The profile (Private/Public) is a property of the connection, not the SSID. Two different networks can have the same name but different profiles.
• Expecting a confirmation prompt. The change is instant. If you do not see the radio buttons, you are likely on an older Windows 10 build (pre-1709) that requires the Control Panel method (see Troubleshooting).
• Changing the profile while disconnected. You can only change the profile for the network you are actively connected to. If you are offline, the option is unavailable.

Tips

• Use Private for trusted networks only. Private enables network discovery and file sharing, which is convenient at home or in a small office. On a public Wi-Fi (café, airport, hotel), always use Public to hide your PC from other users.
• Remember that Windows remembers per network. Once you set a network to Private, Windows keeps that setting for that specific SSID or Ethernet connection. The next time you connect to the same network, it will use the saved profile.
• For Ethernet, the profile is tied to the port. If you plug your laptop into a different Ethernet port on the same router, it may be treated as a new network, and you will need to set the profile again.
• Use the Control Panel as a fallback. If the Settings app is not working, you can open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings and toggle the options for “Private” and “Guest or Public” profiles. This is less direct but achieves a similar effect for file-sharing rules.
• Check the firewall impact. Switching to Private may prompt Windows Firewall to allow more incoming connections. If you are running a server or remote desktop, you may need to adjust firewall rules separately.

Troubleshooting

• The radio buttons are grayed out. This usually means you are not connected to that network, or you have an older Windows 10 build. First, confirm the network shows “Connected.” If it does, update Windows (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update) to get the newer Settings interface. As a temporary workaround, use the Control Panel method: open Network and Sharing Center, click the connection name (e.g., “Wi-Fi (YourNetwork)”), then click Properties. Under the Network tab, you will see a radio button for “Private network” or “Public network.”
• The change does not stick. After you select Private, it reverts to Public after a few seconds. This can happen if a group policy or security software (like a VPN client or firewall suite) forces a specific profile. Check if you have third-party security software running and temporarily disable its network protection to test. Also, run gpresult /r in Command Prompt (admin) to see if a Group Policy object is enforcing the setting.
• You cannot find the network profile section. On some systems with a simplified Settings layout (e.g., Windows 10 S mode or certain enterprise builds), the “Network profile” section may be hidden. Use the Control Panel method described above, or press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, press Enter, right-click your adapter, choose Properties, then click Configure and go to the Advanced tab. Look for a property called “Network Address” or “Network Type” (the exact name varies by driver). This is less reliable and driver-dependent, so prefer the Settings or Control Panel route.
• You are on a domain-joined PC. If your computer is part of a corporate domain, the administrator may have set a default profile for all networks. You might see the options but they have no effect. Contact your IT department; they can change the policy.
• Ethernet shows “Unidentified network.” This sometimes happens when the network has no internet access. Windows may label it “Unidentified network” and force it to Public. To change it, you can still follow the same steps—click on the Ethernet connection name and look for the Network profile section. If it is missing, try restarting the adapter (disable and re-enable it in Network Connections) or check if the router assigns an IP address correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between Private and Public network profiles?
A: Private enables network discovery and file/printer sharing, making your PC visible to other devices on the same network. Public disables those features and applies stricter firewall rules to protect your PC from untrusted networks.

Q: Can I change the network type for a network I am not currently connected to?
A: No. You can only change the profile for the active connection. If you want to set a profile for a saved network, you must connect to it first, change the setting, then disconnect if desired.

Q: Will changing the profile affect my internet speed?
A: No. The profile only affects local network visibility and firewall rules, not the speed or reliability of your internet connection.

Q: Does the network type reset after I reconnect?
A: No. Windows remembers the profile for each network (by SSID for Wi-Fi, by adapter for Ethernet). It will persist until you change it manually.

Q: Is it safe to use Private on a public Wi-Fi if I need to share files?
A: It is not recommended. Public Wi-Fi is shared with strangers, and enabling Private makes your PC discoverable, increasing the risk of unauthorized access. Use file-sharing alternatives like cloud storage instead.

Q: Why do some networks show “Private” by default?
A: Windows automatically marks networks as Private when it detects a home or work environment (e.g., when you first connect and choose “Yes” to the prompt about discoverable devices). It marks others as Public. You can override this at any time using the steps above.

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