Guide: Enable/Disable Network Discovery Feature on Windows 10

What to Know

• Control Panel >Network and Internet >Network and Sharing Center >Change advanced sharing settings .
• From there, you can turn off network discovery to hide from other network computers.
• The same screen lets you enable this feature if you want to be seen.

This article explains how to turn off network discovery (or turn it on) in Windows 10. You can also use these instructions to simply check if network discovery is turned off or on.

How to Turn On or Off Network Discovery in Windows 11

How to Turn On or Turn Off Network Discovery

Follow these steps to see if network discovery is turned off or on and to change the setting if you wish:

1. Open the Windows 10 Action Center from the lower-right corner of the screen (pressingWin +a works, too), then selectExpand (if you see that option).
   
2. SelectNetwork .
   
3. SelectNetwork & Internet settings .
   
4. Scroll down a bit and chooseNetwork and Sharing Center .
   
5. WhenControl Panel opens, selectChange advanced sharing settings from the left menu.
   
6. SelectTurn on network discovery to flip it on. To turn_off_ network discovery in Windows 10, chooseTurn off network discovery .
   
   While here, you can alsoturn file and printer sharing on and off .
7. When finished, selectSave changes . You can now close Control Panel and Settings.
   

What Does Windows 10 Network Discovery Mean?

Network discovery refers to your computer’s ability to connect with and be found by nearby devices. To turn on network discovery means to make your device discoverable and connectable. When you turn off network discovery, you disable this feature, essentially protecting your computer by making it invisible.

If you want to work offline, you don’t need to deal with the Windows 10 network discovery settings at all. Instead,turn on airplane mode .

You don’t usually need to worry about turning on network discovery because Windows 10 will automatically switch between the two settings depending on your type of connection and the level of available security on the network.

However, checking these settings can be helpful if you’re trying to connect to another device and can’t see it as an available connection option. They can also be worth checking if someone else can’t find your device, like when you need toconnect a Microsoft Surface to another computer .

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