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 utilize a unlike firewall, and some may have turned theirs off by accident. To proceed, select your version of Windows from the list below and follow the instructions.

Windows xi

Disabling the Windows 11 firewall

Circumspection

Unless you are troubleshooting an issue or program to install some other firewall, we recommend yous don't disable the Windows Firewall.

  1. Press the Windows central, type "Windows security", and and then press Enter.
  2. In the Windows Security window, click the Firewall & network protection pick on the left or correct 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 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 three network profiles, echo steps iii and 4 in a higher place for each network contour.

Enabling the Windows 11 firewall

Circumspection

Just 1 software firewall should be enabled at a fourth dimension. If you lot take an antivirus or other security program installed with its firewall, make sure it is disabled first.

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

Windows 11 Windows Security firewall option

  1. In the next Windows Security window, click the Plough on push 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 turn on Windows Defender Firewall for all three network profiles, repeat step 3 above for each network contour.

Windows 8 and 10

Disabling the Windows eight or 10 firewall

Caution

Unless you lot are troubleshooting an issue or program to install another firewall, we recommend you non disable the Windows Firewall.

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

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 contour 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 three network profiles, repeat steps 6 and 7 above for each network profile.

Enabling the Windows 8 or 10 firewall

Caution

Only one software firewall should be enabled at a fourth dimension. If y'all have an antivirus or other security programme installed with its firewall, make sure information technology is disabled first.

  1. Click Start or become to the Windows Outset Screen.
  2. Blazon Settings and press Enter or click the gear Settings icon icon.
  3. In the Settings window, click the Update & Security selection.
  4. In the left navigation bill of fare, click Windows Security.
  5. Nether Protection areas, click Firewall & network protection.
  6. In the Windows Security window, click the Turn on push button for the Domain network, Private network, or Public network, depending on which firewall profile 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 vi above for each network profile.

Enable and disable the firewall in Windows Vista and Windows 7

Tip

Microsoft Windows Vista and seven are pre-installed with a firewall utility, although it may be disabled past default. Below are steps that can be followed to enable or disable the firewall in Windows. If yous're looking to disable a different firewall, see: How do I disable the firewall program installed on my reckoner?

Disabling the Windows Vista and Windows vii firewall

Circumspection

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

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

Enabling the Windows Vista and Windows 7 firewall

Caution

Only one software firewall should exist enabled at a time. If you lot take an antivirus or other security programme installed with its firewall, brand sure information technology is disabled first.

  1. Click Starting time, 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 will be off. If information technology is off, click Alter settings or Turn Windows Firewall on or off in the left column.
  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 feature is non enabled by default. Below are steps that tin be followed to enable or disable this feature in Windows XP. For information about disabling a firewall other than that which comes with Windows, see: How exercise I disable the firewall program installed on my computer?

Disabling the Windows XP 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. Open the Control Console
  2. Open Network Connections.
  3. In the Network Connections window, correct-click the Local Expanse Connection and select Properties.
  4. In the Local Surface area Connection Backdrop window, click the Avant-garde tab.
  5. Finally, uncheck the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this estimator from the Net choice.

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

Enabling the Windows XP firewall

Caution

Only one software firewall should be enabled at a time. If you have an antivirus or other security program installed with its firewall, make certain it is disabled first.

  1. Open the Control Panel
  2. Open Network Connections.
  3. In the Network Connections window, right-click the Local Area Connection and select properties.
  4. In the Local Area Connection Backdrop window, click the Advanced tab.
  5. Finally, cheque the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this calculator from the Net choice.