How To Change Public Network To Private Windows 10

Are you tired of your Windows 10 device automatically connecting to public networks whenever you're nearby? Don't worry, there's a way to change that and ensure your connection is always set to private. It's time to take control of your network settings and make your Windows 10 experience more secure and tailored to your needs.

To change your public network to private in Windows 10, you'll need to access the Network and Sharing Center. This feature allows you to customize your network preferences, providing you with a higher level of control and security. By changing your network from public to private, you'll have more control over file sharing and network discovery, giving you the peace of mind that your data is safe and secure.

Understanding the Difference Between Public and Private Networks in Windows 10

When you connect your Windows 10 computer to a new network, it automatically categorizes the network as either public or private. The network type determines the level of security and permissions applied to your device. Understanding the difference between public and private networks is crucial, as it helps you safeguard your data and configure your device's settings accordingly.

A public network is typically an open network or a network provided by public establishments such as cafes, airports, or shopping centers. Connecting to a public network exposes your computer to potential security risks, as it allows other devices on the network to access your device and its shared resources. By default, Windows 10 applies stricter security settings on public networks to protect your privacy and data.

In contrast, a private network is usually a trusted network, such as your home or office network. When connected to a private network, your device has more control over network settings and can share resources with other devices without compromising security. Configuring your network as private allows you to access shared devices like printers and network-attached storage (NAS) systems seamlessly.

In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to change a public network to private in Windows 10, enabling you to customize your device's network settings and enhance security.

Method 1: Change Network from Public to Private Using the Settings App

The easiest way to change a public network to a private network in Windows 10 is through the Settings app. Follow these steps:

• Open the Start menu and click on the "Settings" gear icon to open the Settings app.
• In the Settings app, click on the "Network & Internet" option.
• On the left side of the Network & Internet settings, click on the "Status" tab.
• Under the "Change your network settings" section, click on the "Change connection properties" link.

Once you have followed these steps, you will be able to configure your network as a private network.

Method 2: Change Network from Public to Private Using Control Panel

If you prefer using the Control Panel over the Settings app, you can also change the network from public to private through the Control Panel. Here's how:

• Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu.
• In the Control Panel, click on the "Network and Sharing Center" option.
• Next to the network name, click on the "Connections" link.
• In the "Set Network Location" window, select the "Home network" or "Work network" option, depending on your situation.

By following these steps, you can easily change the network from public to private using the Control Panel.

Method 3: Change Network from Public to Private Using the Command Prompt

If you prefer using the command line interface, you can change the network from public to private using the Command Prompt. Here's how:

• Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. You can do this by searching for "Command Prompt" in the Start menu, right-clicking on it, and selecting "Run as administrator."
• In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter: netsh.exe wlan set profileparameter name="Your Network Name" connectiontype=private.

Replace "Your Network Name" with the actual name of your network. After executing the command, your network will be changed to a private network.

Method 4: Change Network from Public to Private Using Windows PowerShell

Windows PowerShell is another command-line interface that can be used to change the network from public to private. Follow these steps:

• Open Windows PowerShell as an administrator. You can search for "PowerShell" in the Start menu, right-click on "Windows PowerShell," and select "Run as administrator."
• In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter: Get-NetConnectionProfile | Where-Object { $_.NetworkCategory -eq 'Public' } | Set-NetConnectionProfile -NetworkCategory Private.

After executing the command, your network will be changed from public to private using Windows PowerShell.

Enhancing Security and Network Customization

Once you have successfully changed your network from public to private, you can now enhance security and customize your network settings. Here are some additional steps you can take:

1. Enable Network Discovery

Network discovery allows your device to find other devices on the network and allows other devices to discover your device. To enable network discovery:

• Go to the Settings app or Control Panel's "Network and Sharing Center."
• Click on "Change advanced sharing settings."
• Under the "Private" network profile, select the "Turn on network discovery" option.

Enabling network discovery allows you to easily access other devices on your network and share resources.

2. Configure Network Sharing Options

You can configure specific sharing options to control what resources you want to share on the network. To configure network sharing options:

• Go to the Settings app or Control Panel's "Network and Sharing Center."
• Click on "Change advanced sharing settings."
• Under the "Private" network profile, select the sharing options that meet your requirements.

You can choose to share files, printers, and other resources with devices on your private network while keeping them secure from public networks.

3. Customize Windows Firewall Settings

Windows Firewall provides protection against unauthorized access to your computer. You can customize its settings to allow or block specific applications or ports. To customize Windows Firewall settings:

• Go to the Settings app or Control Panel's "Network and Sharing Center."
• Click on "Windows Defender Firewall."
• Under the "Private" network profile, click on "Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall."
• Select the applications or ports you want to allow or block.

Customizing Windows Firewall settings allows you to control inbound and outbound connections on your private network.

Exploring Additional Settings and Considerations

Changing your network from public to private allows you to have more control over your device's network settings and enhances security. However, there are additional settings and considerations to explore to ensure optimal network performance and privacy:

1. Network Profile Management

Windows 10 remembers both public and private networks you have connected to in the past. To manage your network profiles:

• Go to the Settings app's "Network & Internet" section or the Control Panel's "Network and Sharing Center."
• Click on "Manage known networks" to view and remove any saved networks.
• You can remove networks you no longer use or update the network category if needed.

Managing your network profiles allows you to maintain control over your network connections.

2. Network Reset

If you're experiencing network issues or want to start fresh with your network settings, you can use the "Network Reset" feature. Here's how:

• Go to the Settings app's "Network & Internet" section.
• Click on "Network reset" at the bottom of the page.
• Click on the "Reset now" button to reset your network settings and reinstall network adapters.

Resetting your network can help resolve connectivity issues and remove any customizations you may have made.

3. Wi-Fi Sense

Windows 10 introduced a feature called Wi-Fi Sense, which allows you to share your Wi-Fi network credentials with your contacts. However, if you want more control over how your Wi-Fi network is shared, you can disable this feature. Here's how:

• Go to the Settings app's "Network & Internet" section.
• Click on "Wi-Fi" in the left-side menu.
• Scroll down to the "Manage known networks" section and click on your Wi-Fi network.
• Toggle the "Connect automatically" and "Connect to suggested open hotspots" options to your desired settings.

Disabling Wi-Fi Sense gives you more control over how your Wi-Fi network is shared.

Conclusion

Changing a public network to a private network in Windows 10 is essential to ensure the security and customization of your device's network settings. Whether you use the Settings app, Control Panel, Command Prompt, or Windows PowerShell, you can easily make this change and gain control over your network. By enhancing security, configuring network sharing options, and customizing Windows Firewall settings, you can further optimize your network experience. Explore additional settings like network profile management, network reset, and disabling Wi-Fi Sense to fine-tune your network setup. With these steps, you can enjoy a secure and personalized network environment.

Changing Public Network to Private in Windows 10

If you are using a Windows 10 computer and want to change your network connection from public to private, follow these steps:

Step 1	Open the Settings app by clicking on the Start menu and selecting "Settings".
Step 2	Click on "Network & Internet".
Step 3	Click on "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet", depending on your network connection type.
Step 4	Click on the network you are currently connected to.
Step 5	Under "Network profile", select "Private" to change the network to private.

By following these steps, you can easily change your network connection from public to private in Windows 10. It is important to note that private networks are more secure than public networks, as they enable more advanced sharing and security settings. Changing your network to private ensures that your computer is protected and reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your data.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we will address some common questions related to changing a public network to a private network in Windows 10. Find answers to your queries below:

1. How can I change a public network to a private network in Windows 10?

To change a public network to a private network in Windows 10, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the "Settings" app by clicking on the "Start" button and then selecting the gear icon.

Step 2: In the Settings window, click on the "Network & Internet" option.

Step 3: From the left-hand menu, click on "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet," depending on the type of connection you are using.

Step 4: Scroll down and click on the name of the network you want to change from public to private.

Step 5: In the network settings, click on the "Properties" button.

Step 6: Under the "Network profile" section, select "Private" instead of "Public."

Step 7: Close the Settings app, and your network should now be changed from public to private.

2. Can I change the network type from public to private for all networks?

Yes, you can change the network type from public to private for all networks on your Windows 10 device. However, it is important to note that changing the network type to private may expose your device to potential security risks if you connect to untrusted networks.

We recommend keeping your network type as public when connecting to unfamiliar networks, such as public Wi-Fi networks in restaurants or cafes, to ensure your device's security.

3. Why does Windows 10 automatically set my network to public?

Windows 10 automatically sets your network to public when it cannot detect a trusted network. This is done as a precautionary measure to protect your device from potential security risks when connecting to new networks.

By setting the network type to public, Windows 10 limits some functionalities, such as file sharing and network discovery, to prevent unauthorized access to your device and data. It is essential to manually change the network type to private for trusted networks to regain these functionalities.

4. Can I change the network type from private to public in Windows 10?

Yes, you can change the network type from private to public in Windows 10. However, we recommend keeping your trusted networks as private to ensure better security and enable file sharing and network discovery features.

To change the network type from private to public, follow the same steps mentioned earlier, but select "Public" instead of "Private" in the network settings.

5. How can I identify if my network is set to public or private in Windows 10?

To identify if your network is set to public or private in Windows 10, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the "Settings" app by clicking on the "Start" button and then selecting the gear icon.

Step 2: In the Settings window, click on the "Network & Internet" option.

Step 3: From the left-hand menu, click on "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet," depending on the type of connection you are using.

Step 4: Scroll down and click on the name of the network you want to check.

Step 5: In the network settings, under the "Network profile" section, you will see either "Public" or "Private" mentioned.

Alternatively, you can also identify the network type by looking at the network icon in the system tray. A "Private" network will show a house icon, while a "Public" network will display a park bench icon.

To conclude, changing a public network to a private network on Windows 10 is a straightforward process that can be done in just a few steps. By following the instructions outlined in this article, you can ensure that your network is properly protected and your device is secure.

Remember, switching to a private network is necessary if you want to access certain devices and files on your network, as well as enable some additional features like file sharing and printer sharing. Whether you are at home or in an office, knowing how to change your network from public to private in Windows 10 can help you optimize your connectivity and enhance your overall experience.