How To - Set a Network to Private or Public in Windows 10 & 11

Last Update: June 16th, 2026
Article ID: 2600495

The Windows Firewall may block some networking features when the local network is not set to Private.  This article will describe the process for setting the local network, either wired Ethernet or Wi-Fi to be a Private network.

Windows 11

1 - Connect the computer to the network, either wired or wireless

2 - Open the Windows Settings: right-click on the Start Menu and select Settings from the pop-up menu

3 - On the left column select Network & internet

windows 11 settings network and internet

For Wired Networks

4 - Select the Ethernet option

5 - The connected network should be expanded, if not click on Network Connected to expand the section

6 - Select the Network profile type either Public network or Private network to suite your needs

windows 11 settings network and internet ethernet

For Wi-Fi Networks

4 - Select the Wi-Fi option

5 - Select your Wi-Fi network name properties

windows 11 settings network and internet wifi

6 - Select the Network profile type either Public network or Private network to suite your needs

windows 11 settings network and internet wifi connected network

Windows 10

1 - Connect the computer to the network, either wired or wireless

2 - Open the Windows Settings - right-click on the Start Menu and select Settings from the pop-up menu

3 - Select Network & Internet fro the bottom section

windows 10 settings

4 - Select the Ethernet option from the left pane

5 - Select the Connected network from the right pane

windows 10 settings network and internet ethernet

6 - Select the Network profile type either Public network or Private network to suite your needs

windows 10 settings network and internet ethernet network profile
windows 10 settings network and internet wifi network profile

Windows PowerShell

If the option does not show up in the Windows Settings GUI, for example if the network is not connected to the internet, or if you prefer to use the terminal.

1 - Open a new terminal: Right-click on the Start Menu and select Terminal 

2 - Run the following command to list the available networks

Get-NetConnectionProfile

PS C:\Users\plugable> Get-NetConnectionProfile
Name                     : Network
InterfaceAlias           : Ethernet Instance 0
InterfaceIndex           : 7
NetworkCategory          : Private
DomainAuthenticationKind : None
IPv4Connectivity         : Internet
IPv6Connectivity         : NoTraffic

3 - Run the following command to set the network to Private

Set-NetConnectionProfile -Name Network -NetworkCategory Private

Where Network is the network name from step #2 and Private can be either Public or Private

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at support@plugable.com and we'll be happy to help!