How to change your network from public to private on Windows: Select Start, then type settings. Select Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi. On the Wi-Fi settings screen, select Manage known networks, and select the network you’re connected to. On the Wi-Fi network screen, under the Network profile type, select Public (Recommended) or Private.
There are several reasons why you might want to switch a network from Public to Private, the main reason being securing your home or office network from being accessed by unauthorized devices. Given the abundance of WiFi devices, it’s an easy process to change your network settings.
This article explains how to change a network from public to private on Windows 10. Designating a connection as private makes it discoverable to other devices, so only do this for networks you trust.
How Do I Change From a Public to Private Network in Windows 10?
Once you’ve connected to a Wi-Fi network, follow these steps to change it from public to private:
- Select the Wi-Fi icon in the Windows taskbar. If you don’t see the icon, select the up arrow to expand the options.
- Under the Wi-Fi network, select Properties.
- Choose Private under Network Profile.
- Close the Settings window. The change will take effect immediately.
How Do I Turn Off Public Networks?
When you connect to a new Wi-Fi network, it’s set to public by default. To disable this feature, you must change the network properties.
Designating the network as public or untrusted ensures other devices on the network cannot access your PC. When using a public Wi-Fi hotspot, we recommend keeping your connection public.
How Do I Make My Internet Connection Private?
Setting a network connection to private doesn’t protect your privacy. The opposite is true: changing a network to private makes it discoverable to other devices on the network. If you don’t want your computer to be vulnerable to hackers, leave the connection public.
That said, you won’t be able to connect to network printers or share files with other computers unless you set the wireless network to private. You should only change the network setting for connections you trust, such as home or workplace networks.
How Can I Keep My Internet Connection Secure?
Here are four things to consider to help prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to the Wi-Fi on your home network:
Rename Your Routers and Networks
Once you’ve set up your router for the first time and it’s up and running, change the generic username and password that accompanies it. The username and passwords provided with routers are public records, making your Wi-Fi easily accessible if unchanged.
Use Strong Passwords
Make your passwords stronger by:
- Make it at least 16 characters long.
- Not using personal information or common phrases.
- Using a mixture of numbers, special characters, and upper and lowercase letters.
- Ensuring it’s unique; don’t reuse passwords.
Keep Everything Up-to-Date
Whenever a vulnerability is detected, router manufacturers will update the router firmware. To stay protected, set a reminder every month to check that your router settings are up-to-date.
Turn On Encryption
Encrypting your router is one of the easiest ways to secure your internet connection:
- Find the security options on your router’s settings.
- Then find the WPA2 personal setting.
- If that option isn’t there, select WPA Personal. However, this is a sign of an outdated and vulnerable router; consider updating to one that includes WPA2 encryption.
- Set the encryption type to AES.
- Enter the password or network key; this password is different from the router password and will be used to connect all your devices to your Wi-Fi network.