How to Make a Network Connection Private in Windows 10

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Last Updated: March 10, 2025 Tested

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• Using Settings (Version 1709 and Newer)
|
• Using Settings (Version 1703 and Older)
|
• Q&A
|
• Things You'll Need

|Show more |Show less

This article will show you how to change your network profile from public to private in Windows 10.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Settings (Version 1709 and Newer)

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1. 
   1
   Open the Settings app. Click the Start

   

   button and select the settings

   

   gear.
2. 
   2
   Go to the Network & Internet category.
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3. 
   3
   Go to your network type. Click either Wi-Fi or Ethernet from the left pane.
4. 
   4
   Open the properties of the current connection. Click the name of the current network box in the center portion of the window.
5. 
   5
   Change the network profile to private. Click the "Private" radio button under the "Network profile" header.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Settings (Version 1703 and Older)

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Open the Settings app. Click the Start

   

   button and select the settings

   

   gear.
2. 
   2
   Go to the Network & Internet category.
3. 
   3
   Go to your network type. Click either Wi-Fi or Ethernet from the left pane.
4. 
   4
   Open the properties of the current connection. Click the name of the current network box in the center portion of the window.
5. 
   5
   Make your PC discoverable. Toggle on

   

   the switch under the "Make this PC discoverable" header. Doing so will change your connection type to private.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  How do I uninstall private WiFi?

  

  Community Answer

  On windows 10, click on network icon on the lower-right corner of the screen. Click "Network Settings", then "Manage Wi-Fi Settings". Select the network you want to delete, and click "Forget". Your wireless network is deleted.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 3 Helpful 0
• Question

  How can I make private the internet WiFi?

  

  Joseph Purcell

  Community Answer

  Select Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi. On the Wi-Fi settings screen, select Manage known networks, and then select the Wi-Fi network you want to change. On the Wi-Fi network screen, under Network profile type, select Public (Recommended) or Private.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 1 Helpful 5

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Things You'll Need

• Device running Windows 10