Turn On or Off Network Discovery and File Sharing in Windows 11/10

By Hally | Last Updated January 08, 2024

Network discovery and file sharing are two different settings that can be turned on or off separately. If you want to share a file or printer from a Windows 11 PC, you need to first turn on both network discovery and file and printer sharing on a particular computer. This post will show you how to turn on or off network discovery and file sharing in Windows 11/10.

1. 1: Turn on or off network discovery in windows 11/10
2. 2: Turn on or off file sharing in windows 11/10

1: Turn on or off network discovery in windows 11

Way 1: Via Windows settings

Step 1: Use the Windows + I to open the Windows Settings, first select Network & internet, and then select the Ethernet option.

Step 2: Under Network profile type, select Private. This profile will allow devices on your network to be discovered. The private profile is intended for home, workplace and trusted networks. If you want to turn off network discovery, just click the Public option. This action will make your device undiscoverable on the network.

Note: If you use Wi-Fi, click on Wi-Fi option. Select Private under Network profile type. This profile will enable discovery of devices within your network. If you use file sharing or apps that communicate over the network, select this profile for better Ethernet connectivity.

Way 2: Via command prompt

Step 1: Search for Command Prompt in the search bar and click Run as administrator.

Step 2: Run the commands below to turn on Network discovery for all networks.

netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="Network Discovery" new enable=Yes

Step 3: Run the following command to turn off network discovery for all networks.

netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="Network Discovery" new enable=No

2: Turn on or off file sharing in windows 11

Way 1: Via control panel

Step 1: Search for Control Panel in the Start menu bar and Open it.

Step 2: Select Network and Internet option.

Step 3: Click on Network and Sharing Center.

Step 4: In the left panel, select Change advanced sharing settings.

Step 5: Click to expand the Private option and select to Turn on or off file and printer sharing. And finally Save changes.

Tip: You can also turn Network Discovery on or off here.

Way 2: Via command prompt

Step 1: Repeat Way 2 Step 1 above.

Step 2: Enter the following command and press enter. Once done, it will turn on file and printer sharing.

netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="File and Printer Sharing" new enable=Yes

Step 3: Enter the following command to turn off file and print sharing.

netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="File and Printer Sharing" new enable=No