Network and Internet Turn On or Off File and Printer Sharing in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off file and printer sharing on your Windows 11 PC.

File and printer sharing is the ability of a computer running Windows to share a folder or attached printer with other computers on the same network.

• File sharing allows you to make files and folders in a shared folder accessible to others on the same network to view, copy, or modify.
• Printer sharing allows you to make an attached printer available to other computer users on the same network.

Windows creates a separate network profile for each network you use. You can turn on or off file and printer sharing separately for each Domain, Private, and Public network profile type.

You must be signed in as an administrator to turn on or off file and printer sharing.

1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on Network & internet on the left side, and click/tap on Advanced network settings on the right side. (see screenshot below)


3 Click/tap on Advanced sharing settings on the right side. (see screenshot below)



4 Click/tap on Private networks and/or Public networks to expand open. (see screenshot below step 5)

5 Turn On or Off File and printer sharing for what you want for private and public networks.

File and printer sharing is turned off by default for public networks.

File and printer sharing is turned on by default for private networks.

6 You can now close Settings if you like.





1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select Windows PowerShell.

2 Do step 3 (on) or step 4 (off) below for what you want.



A) Copy and paste the command below you want to use into the elevated PowerShell, press Enter, and go to step 5 below.










A) Copy and paste the command below into the elevated PowerShell, press Enter, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)








5 You can now close the elevated PowerShell if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink