How do i turn on Network sharing in Windows 11

In order to share files and folders on a Windows 11 PC with other computers or devices in a same network, you need to first turn on the “network discovery and file sharing” option in Windows 11. This short guide will show you how to enable the network discovery and file sharing setting for any network profile in Windows 11.

Índice Show

How to turn on Network Discovery and File Sharing in Windows 11
What are Network Discovery and File Sharing?
Which network profile should I turn on the settings for?
How to change a network from Public to Private in Windows 11
Is Network Discovery safe?
How can I turn on Network Discovery in Windows 11?
1. Use Settings to enable Network Discovery
2. Turn on Network Discovery in Windows 11 using Control Panel
How do I get to the network and sharing Center in Windows 11?
Where do I find network discovery in Windows 11?
Why can't I see other computers on my network Windows 11?

This guide covers only the method to turn on the network discovery and file sharing options. If you have already turned on the settings and want to learn how to share folders in Windows 11, go to: How to Share Folder in Windows 11 Local Network Without Password.

Network Discovery and File Sharing are two different settings which can be turned on or off individually. If you want to share files or printers from a Windows 11 computer, you need to first turn on both “network discovery” and “file and printer sharing” on that particular PC. Here’s how to do so.

In Windows 11, click on the Start menu or Search on the taskbar.
Then, search for and open “Advanced sharing settings“.
From here, you can turn on or off the network discovery and file sharing options for different network profiles.
- We recommend to turn on the sharing options only for Private network profile, and then change your local network to Private if it’s not already set to Private. Read more about this below.
Click on Save changes to save any changes made.

Since Windows 11, the advanced sharing settings can only be accessed through the old Control Panel. Both Control Panel and the advanced sharing settings can be quickly accessed by simply searching them using the Start menu or Search app in Windows 11. There is currently no way to access to the advanced sharing settings via the new Settings interface in Windows 11.

If there is no result for “advanced sharing settings” when you search for it in the Start menu, search for and open “Control Panel” instead. Then, navigate to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Advanced sharing settings.

Turning on the “network discovery” setting will allow the computer to see other computers and devices in the same network. It also allow the computer to be visible to other computers in the same network.

On the other hand, turning on “file and printer sharing” setting will allow other computers or devices to access to the files, folders or printers you have shared from this particular computer.

Which network profile should I turn on the settings for?

To answer the question, first you have to know the basic difference between a public and a private network.

Private networks are trusted networks such as your home network or work network. Public networks, on the other hand, are networks anyone can access, for example, WiFi networks found in a cafe, airport, shopping center, etc.

In most cases, turning on network discovery and file sharing for Public network is not recommended as it might put your PC at risk on a network anyone can connect to.

If you want to share files or printers only in trusted home or work networks, you should turn on the sharing options for Private network only.

Though Windows would usually be able to tell what network profile a network should be and automatically set it for you, you can also manually change the network profile of a network to be either Private or Public.

How to change a network from Public to Private in Windows 11

After turning on the network discovery and file sharing options for private network, the next step is to make sure the network you are connected to, assuming it is a network you trust, is set as a private network.

To change the network profile of a connected network in Windows 11, follow the steps below.

First, right-click on the network icon from the taskbar corner in Windows 11, then select Network and Internet settings.

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Network Discovery is a function that was first introduced in Windows Vista and that allows Windows PCs to locate and discover other computers and devices through a network.

Today, we’ll see how to turn on Network Discovery in Windows 11.

When you’re connected to a private network, such as your home or place of employment, the discovery feature is immediately enabled.

It is deactivated on public networks, such as guest Wi-Fi or networks that are not trusted, in order to prevent other PCs from automatically detecting your devices on those networks.

In some cases, Network Discovery is stopped in private networks as well, and as a result, other computers will not be automatically identified by the operating system.

If this is the case, and you desire to enable it, the methods outlined below should be of assistance.

Follow along as we will first see if the feature is safe and then jump into the methods by which you can turn on Network Discovery in Windows 11.

Is Network Discovery safe?

To put it simply, Network Discovery is crucial and safe because every single MSP or IT team, regardless of the vertical or size of the organization, requires network visibility in order to do its job.

IT teams are unable to grasp the network’s ins and outs unless they have a full understanding of the devices that are connected to it.

Furthermore, an in-depth awareness of the links between them, and how they interact with one another is crucial.

Network Discovery may also be a valuable instrument in the field of cybersecurity.

For example, an incorrect IP address is frequently a symptom of malicious or rogue devices that are capable of delivering malware to a computer system.

Considering that the feature’s major goal is to locate and map assigned IP addresses, IT teams will have an easier time distinguishing between genuine and invalid device IP addresses.

Its tools enable managed service providers (MSPs) to conduct frequent scans to ensure that there are no threat actors lurking on the other end of a network’s perimeter.

Finally, it may assist MSPs and IT administrators improve digital security by allowing them to determine which ports are open on their connected devices.

Any open ports on a device that aren’t required for normal functioning have the potential to pose a security threat.

How can I turn on Network Discovery in Windows 11?

This being said, let’s now see what you can do if Network Discovery is turned off in Windows 11. As a bonus, you will also see how to turn on File Sharing.

Expert tip:

1. Use Settings to enable Network Discovery

Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I simultaneously.
Then, navigate to Network & Internet followed by Ethernet. Note that if you are connected to WiFi, you will have to click on it instead of Ethernet.
Now under the WiFi or Ethernet properties, you will have the Network profile type section under which you can choose Private.
This option will automatically enable Network Discovery.

2. Turn on Network Discovery in Windows 11 using Control Panel

If your Network Discovery is not turned on, you can easily enable it through the built-in Control Panel settings.

The advanced sharing settings for your network allow you to turn Network Discovery on and off in just a click.

1. Press the Windows key to open the Windows Search function and enter Control Panel.

2. Click on the topmost result to open Control Panel.

3. Now click on Network and Internet.

4. Next, select the Network and Sharing Centre option.

5. From the left panel choose the Change advanced sharing settings option.

6. Here all you have to do is check the radio button next to the Turn on network discovery option. If you want to turn off the feature, you can simply follow the same steps as above but check the radio button next to the Turn off network discovery option.

We have shown you the two methods by which you can easily turn on Network Discovery in Windows 11.

However, this does not guarantee streamlined behavior on all your devices. Don’t worry, as always we have you covered! Here’s what to do if Network Discovery is not showing all computers.

Furthermore, there are cases in which you are able to successfully activate this feature across PCs, but it fails to remain active.

If the Network Discovery feature simply won’t stay on, have a look at the dependency services settings before anything else.

We hope you found this guide helpful. If you haven’t managed to figure it out or better still, if you have more solutions in mind, feel free to drop us a line in the Comments section below.

Still having issues? Fix them with this tool:

Where do I find network discovery in Windows 11?

Open File Explorer. Click on Network from the left pane. Click the OK button (if applicable). Click the message at the bottom of the ribbon and select the “Turn on network discovery and file sharing” option.

Why can't I see other computers on my network Windows 11?

If the Windows 11 workgroup still not shows all computers on the network, just go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings and click on the Network reset option. Or, you can reset network settings and firewall rules using the following commands. Then, just reboot your PC.