Changing Network Profiles (Windows 10)

Whenever you connect Windows 10/2016 to a new network, you will be prompted “Do you want to allow your PC to be discoverable by other PCs and devices on this network?”. This question is equivalent to the previous terminology of a “private” (work/home) network versus a “public” network.

Thus, if you are in a private network at work or home, choose Yes. If in a public network such as a wireless hotspot (café, airport etc), choose No. This ensures that the firewall behaves in an appropriate way for each location.

However if you have selected No in the first instance, this makes it a “public” connection, so many common networking functions are no longer accessible. If not appropriate, change it as follows:

Windows 10 1703 (Creator's Update) or Better

1. Click the Network icon the system tray:

   or

2. Click Network and Internet Settings.

3. Click Change Connection Properties.

4. Set Make this PC discoverable to On:
   

Earlier Windows 10 Versions

1. Open Homegroup from the Control Panel.

2. Click Change Network Location.

3. Choose Yes when prompted.

4. Choose Close in the Homegroup dialog (it is not necessary to continue the process to join the Homegroup).

See Also

• Windows Vista version of this article

• Windows 7 version of this article

• Windows 8/8.1 version of this article, including Registry method