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Windows 11 does not have one Settings switch called UPnP. To enable the Windows features commonly associated with UPnP and network-device discovery, set the connection to Private, turn on Network discovery, and configure four Windows services to start automatically.
These steps affect UPnP and discovery on the Windows PC. They do not enable UPnP on your router, which has a separate setting in the router’s administration page.
1. Change the network profile to Private
Windows 11 normally assigns newly connected networks the Public profile. Public networks hide your PC from other devices. Use the Private profile only on a network you trust, such as your home network.
- Open Start > Settings > Network & internet.
- For a wireless connection, select Wi-Fi, then select the connected Wi-Fi network. For a wired connection, select Ethernet.
- Under Network profile type, select Private network.
Changing this profile makes the PC discoverable on that network, but it does not by itself ensure that the required discovery services are running.
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2. Turn on Network discovery and file sharing
Use Windows 11’s current Settings path:
- Go to Start > Settings > Network & internet.
- Select Advanced network settings.
- Select Advanced sharing settings.
- Expand Private networks.
- Turn Network discovery on.
- Turn File and printer sharing on if you need to access shared folders or printers on the network.
You can also enable the settings from File Explorer:
- Open File Explorer and select Network in the navigation pane.
- If Windows displays the Network discovery is turned off banner, select it.
- Select Turn on network discovery and file sharing.
The Settings route is preferable when you want to check the network profile and both sharing switches in one place.
3. Configure the four required Windows services
Network discovery depends on four separate services. Enabling Network discovery alone may not be enough if one of these services is stopped or set not to start automatically.
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- Enter
services.mscand select OK. - For each service in the table, right-click it and select Properties.
- If the service is stopped, select Start.
- Set Startup type to Automatic.
- Select Apply, then OK.
| Service | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Function Discovery Provider Host | Supports discovery of network devices and resources. |
| Function Discovery Resource Publication | Publishes this PC and its available resources for discovery. |
| SSDP Discovery | Supports discovery of devices that use SSDP, a protocol associated with UPnP. |
| UPnP Device Host | Hosts UPnP devices on the computer. |
Repeat the procedure for all four services, even if one of them was already running. The important settings are that each service is running and has Automatic startup.
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4. Test whether UPnP-related discovery works
- Make sure the Windows 11 PC and the device you want to find are connected to the same local network.
- Open File Explorer.
- Select Network.
- Check whether the other computer or network device appears.
If you changed services while File Explorer was open, close and reopen File Explorer before testing again. Some devices may also require their own discovery or sharing feature to be enabled.
Why a UPnP device may still not appear
If a device is missing from File Explorer, check these points in order:
- Confirm the network: both devices must be connected to the same network. A guest Wi-Fi network may isolate wireless clients from one another.
- Check the profile: go to Settings > Network & internet and verify that the connected network is set to Private network.
- Check sharing: under Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings > Private networks, verify that Network discovery and, where applicable, File and printer sharing are on.
- Check all four services: open
services.mscand verify that each required service is running with Automatic startup. - Check the device itself: the target device must support the discovery method and be powered on and connected to the same local network.
Windows UPnP and router UPnP are different
The steps above configure Windows’ network discovery and UPnP-related services. They do not turn on UPnP/NAT-PMP or another automatic port-forwarding feature on your router.
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Administrator permission
Windows may display User Account Control when you change sharing settings or service configuration. If prompted, provide credentials for an account with administrator privileges and select Yes.
The instructions apply to Windows 11. They do not require a particular Windows 11 edition.
What not to use as the main Windows 11 path
Many older guides send you to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings. That is not Microsoft’s primary current Windows 11 route. Use:
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This path exposes the current labels Private networks, Network discovery, and File and printer sharing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Does Windows 11 have a UPnP switch?
No. Windows 11 does not provide one Settings switch named UPnP. Use a Private network profile, enable Network discovery, and set Function Discovery Provider Host, Function Discovery Resource Publication, SSDP Discovery, and UPnP Device Host to start automatically.
Is Network discovery enough to enable UPnP?
Not always. Network discovery is required for Windows network-device visibility, but the four related services must also be running and configured for Automatic startup.
Why can’t I see another computer in File Explorer?
Check that both computers use the same network, the Windows network profile is Private, Network discovery and File and printer sharing are enabled, and all four discovery services are running.
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Do these steps enable UPnP on my router?
No. They configure Windows on the PC. Router UPnP is a separate setting managed through the router’s own administration interface.
Should I use the Private profile on public Wi-Fi?
No. Use Private only on networks you trust. A Public profile is designed to hide your PC from other devices on the network.
The Bottom Line
To enable UPnP-related functionality in Windows 11, set the active network to Private, turn on Network discovery, enable File and printer sharing when needed, and set these four services to Automatic: Function Discovery Provider Host, Function Discovery Resource Publication, SSDP Discovery, and UPnP Device Host. If an application needs router UPnP, enable that separately in the router’s control panel.
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