Turn Windows Firewall on or off

If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings might prevent you from completing these steps.

 To turn on Windows Firewall

1. Click to open Windows Firewall.

2. In the left pane, click Turn Windows Firewall on or off.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

    Turn Windows Firewall on or off link in Windows Firewall

3. Click Turn on Windows Firewall under each network location that you want to help protect, and then click OK.

   If you want the firewall to block everything, including programs that you have previously allowed to communicate through the firewall, select the Block all incoming connections, including those in the list of allowed programs check box.

 To turn off Windows Firewall

Warning

• You should not turn off Windows Firewall unless you have another firewall enabled. Turning off Windows Firewall might make your computer (and your network, if you have one) more vulnerable to damage from worms or hackers.

1. Click to open Windows Firewall.

2. Click Turn Windows Firewall on or off.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

3. Click Turn off Windows Firewall (not recommended) under each network location that you want to stop trying to protect, and then click OK.