How to Configure Windows 10 Firewall

Edited 3 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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The Windows 10 firewall plays a vital role in keeping your computer secure. It acts like a barrier between your computer and the Internet, helping to prevent unauthorized access, viruses, and malware. In this guide, we will explain in detail how to configure your Windows 10 firewall. It will be useful for those who want to ensure that their system is secure or need to allow specific applications through the firewall for seamless operation.

Understanding the Windows 10 firewall

The Windows Firewall has been a standard feature in Microsoft's operating systems for many years. It uses a set of rules to block or allow network traffic to your computer. The default settings are usually sufficient for most people, but sometimes, manual configuration may be necessary, such as when an application is not working correctly due to firewall restrictions.

Types of networks in Windows Firewall

Before configuring the firewall, it is important to understand what types of networks the Windows 10 firewall deals with. Windows Firewall manages connections through three types of networks:

• Domain networks: These are used in workplaces where computers are part of a domain.
• Private network: This is used in home or small office networks, where you trust all the devices connected to it.
• Public networks: Used in public places, such as airports and coffee shops, where devices are not trusted.

Accessing the Windows 10 firewall settings

To configure the Windows 10 firewall, you need to access its settings. You can do it as follows:

1. Click the Start menu and select Settings.
2. In the Settings window, select Update & Security.
3. In the left pane, click Windows Security.
4. Next, click on Firewall & network protection.
5. You will now be able to see the current status of your firewall and the type of network (domain, private, public).

Turn Windows firewall on or off

It is generally not recommended to turn off the firewall unless necessary. Here is how you can turn the Windows 10 firewall on or off:

1. In the Firewall & network security window, select the type of network where you want to enable or disable the firewall.
2. Click the network profile (domain, private, or public) you want to configure.
3. Toggle the switch to enable or disable Windows Defender Firewall.

Allowing an app through a firewall

Sometimes, you need an app to communicate over the Internet, but a firewall may block it. To allow an app to communicate through a firewall, follow these steps:

1. In the Firewall & network security window, click the Allow app through firewall link.
2. Click Change settings. You may need administrative privileges to proceed.
3. Find the app you want to allow in the list. If it's not listed, click Allow another app... to add it manually.
4. Select the checkbox next to the app to allow it through private or public networks.
5. Click OK to save the changes.

Creating firewall rules

A more advanced configuration option is to create a custom firewall rule. This is useful for allowing or blocking specific ports or IP addresses:

1. In the Start Menu, search for Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security and open it.
2. In the left pane, select Inbound rules for incoming traffic or Outbound rules for outgoing traffic.
3. In the right pane, click New Rule...
4. Select the type of rule you want to create: program, port, predefined, or custom.
5. Follow the steps in the wizard. For example, if you want to allow traffic on a specific port, select Port and specify the port number.
6. Specify whether this rule applies to domain, private, or public networks.
7. Choose to Allow the connection or Block the connection depending on your needs.
8. Complete the wizard and name your new rule.

Testing your firewall configuration

Once you adjust your settings or create new rules, it's a good idea to test your configuration to make sure it works as expected. You can do this by checking if the application can access the Internet or if the network service you configured is accessible. For port rules, use a command prompt tool like `telnet` or `netstat` to verify open ports.

Restoring default firewall settings

If you've made changes that cause network problems or security risks, you can restore the default firewall settings. Here's how:

1. Go to Firewall & Network Protection through Windows Security.
2. Click Restore firewall to default.
3. In the confirmation box that appears, click Yes to proceed.

Command-line configuration

Advanced users can configure the Windows 10 firewall using commands in Windows PowerShell or the Command Prompt. Be careful with command-line input to avoid misconfiguration.

Using PowerShell

Here's an example of allowing a program to pass through a firewall using PowerShell:

    Set-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "your program name" -Direction Inbound -Action Allow

Using the Command Prompt

The equivalent of this in a command prompt would be to open a port for an application:

    netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="open port 80" directory=in action=allow protocol=tcp localport=80

Conclusion

In this guide, we have explained the entire process of configuring the Windows 10 firewall. With this information, you can ensure that your system remains secure as well as essential applications continue to function properly. By understanding and changing these settings, you can keep your computer safe from potential threats and customize network permissions to suit your needs.

Always remember to handle firewall settings carefully, keep your system updated, and modify your firewall rules regularly to keep your information safe.

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