How to change your Windows 11 network type from Public to Private?

Most people don't know that the public setting for your Windows network has severe consequences for your reachability and connectivity in your local network. When public, your Windows computer behaves exactly like you’re on a public connection, like at a guest Wi-Fi, or an airport or hotel Wi-Fi. While this is a welcome feature when you're at these places, it prevents your computer from any communication with other devices in your local network which is not helpful if you are trying to transfer photos between your mobile and your computer for example. The following steps show you how to change your network type from Public to Private on Windows 11.

Open the Windows 11 settings app from the start menu and click on Network & Internet to show your actual network status.

The connection properties are shown next to your active network connection (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Cellular) to the right and contain the info about the private or public status of your network connection. To enter the network connection properties, please click on the Properties information.

Change your network connection properties to private by selecting the private option in the network profile type section. You may need to confirm the change by entering your administrator password in User Account Control.