How To Change Windows 10 Network To Private?

Do you want to change your Windows 10 network to private? Windows 10 has many features that users might not be aware of. One such feature is the ability to change the Network from public to private. This can be a good idea to keep your computer and files more secure. Remember that making this switch may not be right for everyone, so be sure to weigh the pros and cons before taking any action. We will show you how to change your network type and password. Keep reading for step-by-step instructions.

What Is a Public Network?

A public network is any network that is not secured with a password. When you connect to a public network, your computer is visible to anyone on the same Network. That means that other people can see what files and folders you are sharing and any printers or other devices you have made available. 

It's important to be aware of the security risks posed by public networks. Suppose you are connected to a public network. In that case, it's possible for someone with malicious intent to gain access to your computer and steal sensitive information or infect your system with malware. For that reason, it's generally not advised to connect to public networks unless necessary. 

If you do need to connect to a public network, there are some steps you can take to minimize the risks. First, make sure that file and printer sharing is turned off in your sharing settings. You can find these settings by going to the Control Panel and clicking on "Network and Sharing Center." Second, consider installing and using a VPN (virtual private Network) client like Tunnel Bear or Cyber Ghost. A VPN will encrypt your traffic and help protect your privacy even when connected to an insecure public network. 

What Is a Private Network?

A private network requires a password to connect. When you connect to a private network, your computer is only visible to other people who have that network's password. That means they will only be able to see the files and folders you have chosen to share with them. 

Private networks are much more secure than public ones since just anyone can't gain access. However, it's important to remember that private networks are only as secure as the password that protects them. If someone were to guess or "crack" the password for a private network, they would be able to see everything being shared on that Network just like they would on a public one. Therefore, it's important to choose strong passwords for your private networks (more on this below).

How to change wireless and wired networks to private in windows 10?

Follow the steps appended below to change your wireless or wired Network from public to private in Windows 10: 

Change a Wireless Network to Private

Let's change a wireless network to a private Network.

1. Open Settings 
2. Click on Network & Internet
3. Click on Wi-Fi in the left menu
4. Under "Network profile," click the Network you want to change to private 
5. Click Manage known networks
6. Click Properties 
7. In the "Network Profile" section, select Private 
8. Click Save

Change an Ethernet Network to Private

1. Open Settings 
2. Click on Network & Internet
3. Click on Ethernet in the left menu (if you're using a wired connection) 
4. Under "Network profile," click the Network you want to change to private 
5. Click Manage known networks
6. Click Properties 

In the "Network Profile" section, select Private 

1. Click Save

How Do I Change From a Public to Private Network in Windows 10?

Method 1: Change From Public to Private Network in Windows 10 Using a control panel

1. Open Control Panel and click on Network and Internet. 
2. Under the "Network and Sharing Center" heading, click Change advanced sharing settings. 
3. Find the section labeled "Public" and change the following two settings to "Off": Turn off network discovery and Turn off file and printer sharing. 
4. Under the "Home or Work" heading, change the following two settings to "On": Turn on network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing. 
5. Click Save changes. 
6. You have now changed your Windows 10 network from public to private.

Method 2: Windows Registry Editor

If you are an advanced user and are comfortable making changes to your registry, you can follow the steps below to change your Network from public to private. Please be aware that making changes to your registry can be risky, and you should always back up your registry before making any changes.

1. Open the Registry Editor by searching for "regedit" in the Start Menu.
2. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Profiles
3. Under the Profiles key, you will see a list of subkeys corresponding to your connected networks. Find the subkey corresponding to the Network you want to change to private and double-click on it.
4. Find the "Category" value in the subkey and double-click on it.
5. Change the value from "0" to "1" and click "OK".
6. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. Your Network should now be set to private.

If you are not comfortable making changes to your registry, you can follow Method 3 below to change your Network from public to private using the Settings app.

Method 3: Change your Network from public to private using the Settings app

1. Open the Settings app by clicking on the Start Menu and selecting "Settings".
2. In the Settings app, navigate to "Network & Internet" and click on the "Change adapter options" link.
3. Find the network adapter connected to the Network you want to change to private and right-click on it.
4. Select the "Properties" option from the menu.
5. Find the "Network profile" section in the Properties window and select the "Private" option.
6. Click "OK" to save your changes. Your Network should now be set to private.

Method 4: Local group policy editor with admin rights

1. Open the Start menu, then search for and open "Edit group policy". 
2. In the Local Group Policy Editor window, navigate to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Network -> Network Connections. 
3. Double-click on the entry for "Turn off HomeGroup provider", then select "Enabled" and click "OK". 
4. Double-click on the entry for "Turn off legacy endpoint mapper", then select "Enabled" and click "OK". 
5. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window. 
6. Open the Start menu, then search for and open "Control Panel". 
7. Click on "Network and Sharing Center" in the Control Panel window. 
8. Click on "Change advanced sharing settings" in the Network and Sharing Center window. 
9. In the Advanced Sharing Settings window, expand the "Private" profile and make sure that the following options are enabled
   • Turn on network discovery. 
   • Turn on file and printer sharing. 
   • Turn on password-protected sharing.
10. Expand the "All Networks" profile and make sure that the following options are enabled: 
11. Turn off password-protected sharing. 
12. Turn off public folder sharing. 
13. Turn off media streaming. 
14. Click "OK" to save the changes. 
15. Your Network should now be set to private, and you should be able to access your files and printers from other computers on the Network. 

Conclusion

Windows 10 makes it easy to switch your Network from public to private, but the process is a little different depending on whether you're using a wired or wireless connection. We've outlined the steps for both types of connections below, so follow along and enjoy your newfound privacy!