How to Turn On or Off File and Printer Sharing in Windows 11

What is File and Printer Sharing?

File and Printer Sharing is a built-in Windows 11 feature that lets you share files, folders, and printers with other computers on your home or office network. You can use it so other people can open your documents or use your printer without needing a USB drive, which makes sharing files between different computers much faster.

• File sharing: Lets others on your network see, copy, or change files in a shared folder.
• Printer sharing: Lets others use a printer connected to your computer.

Windows uses different network types: Domain, Private, and Public. You can choose to turn sharing on or off for each type separately.

You need to be signed in as an administrator to change these settings.

Option 1Turn File and Printer Sharing On or Off Using Windows Settings

1. Press Win + I on your keyboard to open Settings.
2. Click Network & internet on the left side.
3. On the right, click Advanced network settings.

4. Click Advanced sharing settings.

File Printer Sharing Windows 11 can be turned on or off using the main Settings app ⚙️ on your computer. You can use this method when you want a visual way to control network access without typing commands, making it ideal if you prefer clicking through menus.

5. Click the arrows next to Private networks and/or Public networks to expand each section.
6. Turn File and printer sharing On or Off for each network type as you wish.

By default, file and printer sharing is on for private networks, and off for public networks (to keep you safer).

Once done, you can close the Settings window.

Option 2Turn File and Printer Sharing On or Off Using PowerShell

This option is for users who are comfortable using commands.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows Terminal (Admin).
2. Make sure you are in the Windows PowerShell tab.

To Turn On File and Printer Sharing

File Printer Sharing Windows 11 can be turned on quickly across all network types using a built-in PowerShell command. You should use this method if you want to turn on network access for every network profile at the exact same time without clicking through multiple settings menus.

• All network profiles:
  

  Get-NetFirewallRule -Group '*-28502*' | Where-Object 'Profile' -Match 'Any' | Set-NetFirewallRule -Enabled 'True'

• Domain network:
  

  Get-NetFirewallRule -Group '*-28502*' | Where-Object 'Profile' -Match 'Domain' | Set-NetFirewallRule -Enabled 'True'

• Private network:
  

  Get-NetFirewallRule -Group '*-28502*' | Where-Object 'Profile' -Match 'Private' | Set-NetFirewallRule -Enabled 'True'

• Public network:
  

  Get-NetFirewallRule -Group '*-28502*' | Where-Object 'Profile' -Match 'Public' | Set-NetFirewallRule -Enabled 'True'

To Turn Off File and Printer Sharing

File Printer Sharing Windows 11 can be turned off completely across all network profiles using a short PowerShell command. You need this method when you want to stop other devices from accessing your shared files and printers all at once for better network security.

• All network profiles:
  

  Get-NetFirewallRule -Group '*-28502*' | Where-Object 'Profile' -Match 'Any' | Set-NetFirewallRule -Enabled 'False'

• Domain network:
  

  Get-NetFirewallRule -Group '*-28502*' | Where-Object 'Profile' -Match 'Domain' | Set-NetFirewallRule -Enabled 'False'

• Private network:
  

  Get-NetFirewallRule -Group '*-28502*' | Where-Object 'Profile' -Match 'Private' | Set-NetFirewallRule -Enabled 'False'

• Public network:
  

  Get-NetFirewallRule -Group '*-28502*' | Where-Object 'Profile' -Match 'Public' | Set-NetFirewallRule -Enabled 'False'

When finished, you can close PowerShell.

Summary

• File and printer sharing lets you share files and printers with other devices on your network.
• You can control sharing separately for different network types: Domain, Private, and Public.
• You can use the easy Settings app or PowerShell commands if you prefer.
• Make sure you are signed in as an administrator before changing these settings.
• Knowing how to manage sharing helps keep your network safe and useful.

File Printer Sharing Windows 11 is managed through either the Settings app or PowerShell commands, depending on how you prefer to work. You can control access separately for different network types to keep your device secure while letting trusted computers reach your shared files and printers.