Switch a network between Public and Private — via Microsoft Learn

Hidden settinglow riskNeeds adminWindows 11Windows 10

A Public network profile keeps your PC hidden from other devices. Private lets you see other PCs, printers and shares, and lets them see you. Use Private on your home network and Public on café and hotel Wi-Fi.

Takes effect right away

The easy way

  1. The easy way: Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi (network properties) or Ethernet → Network profile type → Private network or Public network.

Command

Run in an administrator PowerShell / Terminal window.

Get-NetConnectionProfile
Set-NetConnectionProfile -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -NetworkCategory Private

Undo

Set-NetConnectionProfile -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -NetworkCategory Public
Use the InterfaceAlias shown by Get-NetConnectionProfile. Windows remembers the setting for each network. The third category, DomainAuthenticated, applies to corporate domain networks.

Sources

Source reviewed
2026-11-02
Link checked
2026-11-02
Tested hands-on
Not by Oddbyte.Me

Oddbyte.Me hasn't tried this on every Windows build, so keep the undo handy.

public networkprivate networknetwork profilefile sharingfirewall

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