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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11To make your Windows 11 PC visible to other devices on your local network, set that connection to Private only if you trust the network, then turn on Network discovery. Enable File and printer sharing separately only if you want to share those resources. On unfamiliar or public Wi-Fi, leave the connection set to Public so your PC is hidden from other devices.
Choose the right network profile first
Windows uses network profiles to control how discoverable your PC is. Microsoft recommends Public for most situations; newly connected networks default to Public. A Public profile hides your PC from other devices and prevents file and printer sharing. A Private profile makes it discoverable and permits sharing, so use it only on a network whose people and devices you trust.
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| Profile | Use it when | Effect on visibility and sharing |
|---|---|---|
| Public | The network is unfamiliar or shared with people or devices you do not trust. | Your PC is hidden from other devices, and file and printer sharing are prevented. |
| Private | You trust the network, such as a home or small-office network you control. | Your PC can be discoverable, and sharing can be enabled. |
Set the profile for Wi-Fi or Ethernet
- Open Settings > Network & internet.
- For Wi-Fi, select Wi-Fi, then select the connected network. For a wired connection, select Ethernet.
- Under Network profile type, choose Private network only if the network is trusted. Otherwise, keep Public network.
Turn on network discovery
- In Settings, go to Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings.
- Expand Private networks.
- Switch on Network discovery.
This allows other devices on the local network to find your PC. It does not automatically make every file or printer on the PC available to them.
Enable file or printer sharing only if needed
In the same Private networks section of Advanced sharing settings, switch on File and printer sharing if you intend to let other devices access shared files or printers. Discovery and sharing are separate controls: a visible PC is not the same as a folder or printer being shared.
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You can also open File Explorer > Network. If Windows shows a “Network discovery is turned off” banner, Microsoft says its prompt can enable network discovery and file sharing.
Keep the firewall on
Do not disable Microsoft Defender Firewall to make the PC appear. Windows Security provides separate firewall controls for domain, private, and public networks, and public networks call for stricter protection because other users and devices are less trusted. Use the profile and sharing settings for discoverability while keeping the firewall enabled.
Network discovery is not Nearby Sharing
Network discovery is for finding PCs on a local network. Nearby Sharing is a separate Windows feature for sending files, photos, and links to nearby devices. To configure it, open Settings > System > Nearby sharing and choose who can share with your PC. Microsoft warns that selecting Everyone nearby makes your PC name and Bluetooth MAC address available to nearby devices.
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Troubleshoot a PC that still does not appear
Confirm both devices are on the same network
Check that both computers are connected to the same network. On a trusted Wi-Fi network, verify that the Windows PC uses the Private profile and that Network discovery—and File and printer sharing, if required—is enabled.
Check the Windows discovery services
If those basic settings are correct, Microsoft recommends checking that these services are running and configured to start automatically:
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- Function Discovery Provider Host
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- SSDP Discovery
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To inspect them, press Windows key + R, enter services.msc, and press Enter. Find each service in the list and check its status and startup type. Change startup settings only if the profile and sharing checks have not fixed the issue.
Use network reset only as a later step
Network reset is not the first fix to try. Microsoft says it removes installed network adapters and their settings before reinstalling them. It may also change known connections to Public; if that happens, the PC will be undiscoverable until you select the appropriate profile again.
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