How to Set the Network Profile Type to Public or Private on Windows

By default, all Wi-Fi networks on Windows are handled as public networks. Nevertheless, you may at all times change the network profile kind from public to personal (and vice-versa).

Windows allows you to set the network profile kind for every network individually. We’ll stroll you thru 4 totally different strategies for altering the network profile kind on Windows. However first, let’s rapidly perceive the distinction between a public and a personal network on Windows.

What Is the Distinction Between Public and Non-public Networks on Windows?

The network profile kind you select impacts how Windows handles a network.

Whenever you set a network as Non-public, for example, Windows permits the network discovery characteristic. This enables different computer systems on the identical network to connect with your system. Because of this, you may trade information and share printers with different computer systems on the network. Nevertheless, it is best to solely use this selection if you already know and belief the individuals and units on the network.

Alternatively, whenever you set a network as Public, Windows turns off the network discovery characteristic and imposes numerous firewall restrictions. This retains your PC from showing on the network, successfully stopping others from connecting to it. When you’re utilizing Wi-Fi in a espresso store, airport, library, or every other public location, it is best to set the network profile kind to Public.

1. Set the Network Profile to Public or Non-public by way of the Settings App

The Settings app supplies a simple strategy to change the network profile kind on Windows 11. Listed below are the steps you must comply with.

1. Open the Begin menu and click on the gear-shaped icon or use the Win + I shortcut to launch the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Network & web > Wi-Fi. If it’s a wired connection, click on on Ethernet as a substitute.
3. Click on in your network’s title to open its properties.
4. Underneath Network profile kind, choose Public network or Non-public network.

   

You may repeat the above steps to vary the network profile kind for different saved networks as properly.

2. Set the Network Profile to Public or Non-public With Windows PowerShell

Windows PowerShell is a dependable device for performing numerous administrative duties and troubleshooting system points. You can too use the device to vary the network profile kind of your present network.

To vary the network profile kind utilizing Windows PowerShell, comply with these steps.

1. Press Win + X or right-click on the Begin icon to open the Energy Person menu.
2. Choose Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the listing.
3. Choose Sure when the Person Account Management (UAC) immediate seems.
4. Run the next command to view the present network profile kind in your network.

   Get-NetConnectionProfile

5. Verify your network’s profile kind from the NetworkCategory discipline.
6. Run the next command to vary the network profile kind in your network.

   Set-NetConnectionProfile -Identify "NetworkName" -NetworkCategory <Sort>

   

Change NetworkName within the above command with the precise title of your network. Change <Sort> with network profile kind—Public or Non-public.

When you run the above command, the network profile kind shall be modified.

3. Set the Network Profile to Public or Non-public Utilizing the Registry Editor

One other strategy to change the network profile kind on Windows is by way of the Registry Editor. As it’s possible you’ll bear in mind, modifying registry information with out information is dangerous. Therefore, it is best to solely use this methodology if you already know what you are doing.

Even when you’re aware of enhancing registry information, it is best to contemplate making a restore level earlier than you proceed with the modifications beneath. When you need assistance, confer with our information on how to create a restore level in Windows and comply with the steps outlined there.

As soon as you have created a restore level, use the next steps to vary the network profile kind on Windows.

1. Click on the search icon on the taskbar or press Win + S to open the search menu.
2. Sort registry editor and choose the primary consequence that seems.
3. Choose Sure when the Person Account Management (UAC) immediate seems.
4. Use the left pane to navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows NT > CurrentVersion > NetworkList > Profiles.
5. Throughout the Profiles key, you will discover a number of subkeys, every of which represents a saved network profile kind. You may choose a key and test its ProfileName from the fitting pane.
6. As soon as you discover the important thing akin to your network, double-click the Class DWORD worth.
7. Within the Worth information discipline, enter 0 to set the network kind to Public. If you wish to set the network profile kind as Non-public, enter 1.
8. Click on OK to save lots of modifications.

   

You’ll have to restart your PC to use the network profile change.

4. Set the Network Profile to Public or Non-public by way of Native Safety Policy

Lastly, you may as well change the network profile kind on Windows utilizing the Native Safety Policy app. Setting the network profile kind with Native Safety Policy overrides the person’s selection within the Settings app. This fashion, you may stop different customers from altering the network profile kind with out your permission.

It’s value noting that this methodology will solely work when you’re utilizing the Skilled, Schooling, or Enterprise version of Windows. When you’re utilizing Windows Residence version, you’ll must depend on the strategies listed above.

Comply with the steps beneath to vary your network profile kind to Public or Non-public utilizing the Native Safety Policy.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run command.
2. Sort secpol.msc within the Open discipline and press Enter.
3. Choose Sure when the Person Account Management (UAC) immediate seems.
4. Within the Native Safety Policy window, click on Network Record Supervisor Insurance policies from the left pane.
5. Double-click in your network’s title to open its properties.
6. Swap to the Network Location tab.
7. Underneath the Location kind part, choose Public or Non-public.
8. Underneath Person permissions, choose Person can not change location, if you wish to stop others from altering the network profile kind in your network. If you don’t want to impose such a restriction, choose Not configured or Customers can change the placement as a substitute.
9. Click on OK to save lots of modifications.

   

Altering the Network Profile Sort on Windows, Made Easyu

Generally, you’d be higher off setting your network connection kind as public. Until, after all, you’re trying to share information and printer units with different PCs on the network. In any case, altering the network profile kind on Windows is straightforward, and you should utilize any of the strategies listed above.