How to enable or disable the Microsoft Windows Firewall

Updated: 12/05/2021 by Computer Hope

Windows firewall

Many users are interested in either enabling or disabling their Windows Firewall for various reasons. Some users want to apply a different firewall, and some may have turned theirs off by accident. To go along, select your version of Windows from the list beneath and follow the instructions.

Windows 11

Disabling the Windows 11 firewall

Caution

Unless you are troubleshooting an effect or plan to install another firewall, we recommend you don't disable the Windows Firewall.

  1. Printing the Windows key, type "Windows security", and then press Enter.
  2. In the Windows Security window, click the Firewall & network protection option on the left or right side.

Windows 11 Windows Security firewall option

  1. In the next Windows Security window, click Domain network, Private network, or Public network, depending on which firewall profile you desire to disable.

Select network profile to turn off Windows firewall

  1. Under the Microsoft Defender Firewall heading, click the toggle to the Off position.

Turn off firewall network profile

  1. To turn off Windows Defender Firewall for all iii network profiles, repeat steps 3 and 4 above for each network profile.

Enabling the Windows eleven firewall

Caution

Only i software firewall should be enabled at a time. If you lot have an antivirus or other security programme installed with its firewall, make certain it is disabled get-go.

  1. Press the Windows fundamental, blazon "Windows security", and then printing Enter.
  2. In the Windows Security window, click the Firewall & network protection selection on the left or right side.

Windows 11 Windows Security firewall option

  1. In the next Windows Security window, click the Turn on button for the Domain network, Private network, or Public network, depending on which firewall profile yous want to enable.

Select network profile to turn on Windows firewall

  1. To plough on Windows Defender Firewall for all 3 network profiles, echo step 3 higher up for each network profile.

Windows 8 and ten

Disabling the Windows 8 or 10 firewall

Caution

Unless you are troubleshooting an issue or plan to install another firewall, nosotros recommend you non disable the Windows Firewall.

  1. Click Beginning or go to the Windows Start Screen.
  2. Type Settings and press Enter or click the gear Settings icon icon.
  3. In the Settings window, click the Update & Security option.

Update & Security

  1. In the left navigation menu, click Windows Security.

Windows Security Selector

  1. Under Protection areas, click Firewall & network protection.

Windows 10 Firewall & network protection selector.

  1. In the Windows Security window, click Domain network, Private network, or Public network, depending on which firewall profile you want to disable.

Select network profile to turn off Windows firewall

  1. Under the Microsoft Defender Firewall heading, click the toggle to the Off position.

Turn off firewall network profile

  1. To turn off Windows Defender Firewall for all 3 network profiles, repeat steps 6 and 7 above for each network profile.

Enabling the Windows 8 or 10 firewall

Caution

Simply i software firewall should be enabled at a time. If you have an antivirus or other security program installed with its firewall, make sure it is disabled kickoff.

  1. Click Get-go or get to the Windows Kickoff Screen.
  2. Type Settings and printing Enter or click the gear Settings icon icon.
  3. In the Settings window, click the Update & Security option.
  4. In the left navigation carte du jour, click Windows Security.
  5. Under Protection areas, click Firewall & network protection.
  6. In the Windows Security window, click the Plough on push for the Domain network, Private network, or Public network, depending on which firewall contour you want to enable.

Select network profile to turn on Windows firewall

  1. To turn on Windows Defender Firewall for all three network profiles, repeat step 6 above for each network contour.

Enable and disable the firewall in Windows Vista and Windows seven

Tip

Microsoft Windows Vista and 7 are pre-installed with a firewall utility, although information technology may be disabled past default. Below are steps that can be followed to enable or disable the firewall in Windows. If you're looking to disable a unlike firewall, see: How practice I disable the firewall program installed on my computer?

Disabling the Windows Vista and Windows vii firewall

Caution

Unless you are troubleshooting an issue or plan on installing some other firewall, we recommend you don't disable your Windows Firewall.

  1. Click Start, and in the Search for Programs and Files text box, type firewall, and press Enter.
  2. In the search results, click Windows Firewall.
  3. If the Windows Firewall is enabled, the Windows Firewall state will be "on." To turn it off, click Change settings or Turn Windows Firewall on or off in the left cavalcade.
  4. In the Firewall Settings window, select Off and click OK.

Enabling the Windows Vista and Windows 7 firewall

Circumspection

But 1 software firewall should be enabled at a fourth dimension. If you lot have an antivirus or other security programme installed with its firewall, make certain information technology is disabled first.

  1. Click Start, and in the Search for Programs and Files text box, type firewall, and printing Enter.
  2. In the search results, click Windows Firewall.
  3. If the Windows Firewall is disabled, the Windows Firewall state volition exist off. If it is off, click Modify settings or Turn Windows Firewall on or off in the left cavalcade.
  4. In the Firewall Settings window, select On and click OK.

Enable and disable the firewall in Windows XP

Tip

Although Microsoft Windows XP comes with a pre-installed firewall utility, this characteristic is not enabled by default. Below are steps that can exist followed to enable or disable this feature in Windows XP. For information almost disabling a firewall other than that which comes with Windows, see: How do I disable the firewall programme installed on my figurer?

Disabling the Windows XP firewall

Circumspection

Unless you are troubleshooting an issue or plan on installing another firewall, we recommend you lot don't disable your Windows Firewall.

  1. Open the Command Panel
  2. Open up Network Connections.
  3. In the Network Connections window, right-click the Local Expanse Connectedness and select Properties.
  4. In the Local Area Connection Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
  5. Finally, uncheck the Protect my computer and network past limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet option.

If yous're attempting to disable the Windows XP firewall, just this option is already unchecked, another developer'south firewall program may exist installed on the computer.

Enabling the Windows XP firewall

Caution

Only one software firewall should exist enabled at a time. If y'all take an antivirus or other security plan installed with its firewall, make sure it is disabled first.

  1. Open the Control Console
  2. Open Network Connections.
  3. In the Network Connections window, right-click the Local Area Connection and select backdrop.
  4. In the Local Surface area Connection Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
  5. Finally, bank check the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Cyberspace option.