How to Change Network from Public to Private Windows 10/8/7

When you first connect your computer to a new wireless network, it gives choices to set it as a Public or Private network. You can later easily change network from Public to Private or vice versa on Windows 10/8/7 at any time by following the steps below.

For Windows wireless network connection, it has two types of network profiles Private and Public for choice. When you try to connect to a new network or a wired network, it will ask you to choose a Public or Private network type for the connection.

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Public vs Private Network Type

Obviously, Public network refers to networks you connect when you are out in public areas like airport, coffer shop, etc. Your computer will not be visible to other devices on the same network, and you can’t use your computer for file and printer sharing. You can use this network type when you don’t want to communicate with other devices on the same network.

On the contrary, you can use Private network profile type if you trust the network. It is often used at home or work place. If you set a network as Private, then your computer can be discovered by other devices on the same network. Still, you can use the file and printer sharing feature.

How to Check Your Current Network Type on Windows 10/8/7

You can follow the instructions below to check your current network type.

Open Control Panel Windows 10. You can click Start, type control panel and click Control Panel to open it.
Next click Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center.
In Network and Sharing Center, you can view your active networks and check the network type under each connected network.

How to Change Network from Public to Private or Vice Versa in Windows 10/8/7

1. How to Change Network from Public to Private Windows 10

Step 1. Click the Network icon at the toolbar and select Open Network & Internet settings.

Step 2. Click Ethernet or WiFi from the left pane, and click your connected Wi-Fi or Ethernet network. Then you can change the network type from Public or Private or vice version under Network Profile.

Step 3. If you are using a VPN, you can click VPN in the left pane in Network & Internet settings window. Then click one of your connected VPN networks in the right pane, and change the network profile to Public or Private based on your need.

For some Windows 10 computers, you can also click the Network icon in the Notification area, select your connected network and click Properties, and choose Public or Private under Network profile to change network type Windows 10.

2. How to Change Network from Public to Private Windows 7

Step 1. Click the Network icon and click Open Network & Sharing Center link.

Step 2. Under View your active networks, you can see the name of the WiFi or Ethernet network. And you should also see a link under the name of the network: Home network, Work network or Public network. You can click this link and change the network type among the three network types.

3. How to Change Network from Public to Private Windows 8

Step 1. Right-click the Network icon and choose Open Network and Sharing Center.

Step 2. If your network is set as Public network, you can click Change advanced sharing settings in the left pane, and click Private. And make sure these three options are enabled: Turn on network discovery, Turn on file and printer sharing, Allow Windows to manage homegroup connections.

Step 3. Then you can expand Guest or Public and tick Turn off network discovery, Turn off file and printer sharing.

Step 4. At last, you can go to computer Settings and click Network icon to connect it. Right-click the network and click Turn sharing on or off. Click Yes to set it as a Private, and click No if you want to set it as Public.