Windows 11 has two set of security configurations for networks: public and private. What is the difference and how do you change it? In this post and video, I explain the differences and how you can switch between them on a wired or wireless connection in Windows 11.

Windows 11 Private Network

A private network is for when your PC is on network that is your home or a private office where you know what devices are on the network and who is using them. So that would be your PC, your phones and maybe Xbox and your family devices.

When Windows on a private network it enables things like printer sharing, the ability to browse the network for other PCs, media servers wireless speakers.

Windows 11 Public Network

Public networks are places like cafe Wi-Fi and airport Wi-Fi. You don’t know what devices are on the network or who is using them. So, you don’t want your PC open for anyone to scan and try and access. In the background Windows 10 turns on the Windows firewall and stops other machines access your device.

Switch from Public to Private

Go to Settings and then Network & internet

Click on the Properties link and then select Public or Private

In this video I show you how to switch between Public and Private in Windows 11 for wired and wireless networks:

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