The Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security is a tool which gives you detailed control over the rules that are applied by the Windows Defender Firewall. You can view all the rules that are used by the Windows Defender Firewall, change their properties, create new rules or disable existing ones. In this tutorial, we share how to open the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security, how to find your way around it, and talk about the types of rules that are available and what kind of traffic they filter.
NOTE: This guide covers Windows 10, Windows 7, and Windows 8.1. If you do not know the version of Windows that you have, read this tutorial: What version of Windows do I have installed?.
What is Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security?
First, let’s clarify the name. The native firewall in Windows is named Windows Defender Firewall in Windows 10 while in Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 it retains the old name of Windows Firewall. Similarly, the tool we cover in this tutorial is named Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security in Windows 10 and Windows Firewall with Advanced Security in Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. The tool looks and functions identically in all three Windows versions. For this article, we use screenshots from Windows 10 and use the name Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security, but our tutorial is valid for all three Windows versions.
Windows Defender Firewall helps secure your Windows device by filtering the network traffic permitted to enter or exit your device. The tool is built as a snap-in on the Microsoft Management Console, and its executable file is named wf.msc. For more details on Windows Defender Firewall, read What is the Windows Firewall and how to turn it on or off?.
Control Panel provides a couple of basic settings for Windows Defender Firewall while Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security gives you access to all its features. Windows 10 has introduced basic firewall settings in its Settings app, but for full control of Windows Defender Firewall, it sends you to the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security.
How to access the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security
The easiest method to open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security in all three Windows versions is to search for its executable file. Type «wf.msc» in the Windows search box and click or tap on the result.
In Control Panel you can access the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security by going to «System and Security -> Windows Defender Firewall,» and then by clicking or tapping Advanced settings.
In Windows 10, you can find a shortcut for Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security in the Start Menu using the following path: «Start Menu → Windows Administrative Tools → Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security.»
What can you do with Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security?
The tool gives you access to all the features of Windows Defender Firewall. Here are some of the benefits of using it:
- Reduces the risk of security attacks from the network. Windows Defender Firewall is not a complete security solution, but it reduces the chances of a successful network attack.
- Authenticates access to your device. It can do it using IPsec (Internet Protocol Security), which enforces the integrity of data and protects confidentiality.
- Provides firewall capability with no additional investment. Windows Defender Firewall is part of Windows. You get the firewall without spending money or installing additional software.
Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security delivers the benefits using these features:
- Inbound and Outbound Rules
- Connection Security Rules
- Monitoring
What are the inbound and outbound rules?
To provide the security you need, the Windows Defender Firewall has a standard set of inbound and outbound rules, which are enabled depending on the location of the connected network.
Inbound rules are applied to the traffic that is coming from the network and the internet to your Windows computer or device. Outbound rules apply to the traffic from your computer to the network or the Internet.
These rules can be configured so that they are specific to computers, users, programs, services, ports or protocols. You can also specify to which type of network adapter (e.g., wireless, cable, virtual private network) or user profile it is applied.
In the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security, you can access all rules and edit their properties. All you have to do is click or tap the appropriate section in the left-side panel.
The rules used by the Windows Defender Firewall can be enabled or disabled. The ones which are enabled or active are marked with a green checkbox in the Name column.
Let’s pick as an example one of the rules for Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service. If you manage your media library on your Windows device with Windows Media Player, you can decide to share it over the network. The rules for this purpose are disabled by default (the green checkbox is missing next to their names).
If you want to know more about a specific rule and see its properties, right click on it and select Properties or select it and press Properties in the column on the right, which lists the actions that are available for your selection.
In the Properties window, you find complete information about the selected rule, what it does and when it is applied. You can also edit its properties and change any of the available parameters. To enable the rule in our example, mark the checkbox Enabled and press the OK button.
When we return to the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security window, the rule has the green checkbox showing it is enabled.
For more details on managing these rules, read How to Add & Manage Rules in the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.
What are the Connection Security Rules?
Connection security rules are used to secure traffic between two computers while it crosses the network. One example would be a rule which defines that connections between two specific computers must be encrypted. These rules define how and when computers are authenticated using IPsec (Internet Security Protocol).
While the inbound or outbound rules are applied only to one computer, connection security rules require both computers to have the same rules defined and enabled. If you want to see if there are any such rules on your computer, click or tap «Connection Security Rules» on the panel on the left. By default, there are no such rules defined on Windows computers and devices. They are generally used in business environments, and the network administrator sets such rules.
Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security — What does it monitor?
The Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security includes some monitoring features as well. In the Monitoring section you can find the following information: the firewall rules that are active (both inbound and outbound), the connection security rules that are active and whether there are any active security associations.
You should note that the Monitoring section shows only the active rules for the current network location. If there are rules which get enabled for other network locations, you do not see them in this section.
What rules do you want in Windows Defender Firewall?
We have reviewed all that you find in the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security. Now that you know the kinds of rules that exist on your Windows device, you can learn more about adding and managing firewall rules. Let us know in a comment below what kind of rules you would like to set up for your Windows Defender Firewall.
Во все современные версии Windows встроен брандмауэр Windows Defender Firewall. Это встроенный программный межсетевой экран, который защищает Windows от несанкционированного внешнего доступа к компьютеру и запущенным на нем службам. По умолчанию брандмауэр Windows включен и защищает все сетевые интерфейсы компьютера. Брандмауэр блокирует все входящие подключения и разрешает все исходящие.
Содержание:
- Отключить/включить брандмауэр из панели управления Windows
- Отключить Windows Firewall через GPO
- Как отключить или включить брандмауэр Windows с помощью PowerShell?
В подавляющем большинстве случае Windows Firewall должен быть включен. Если вам нужно разрешить доступ к компьютеру для определенной службы или IP адреса, просто создайте разрешающее правило. Однако в некоторых ситуациях администратору нужно полностью отключить Windows Defender Firewall для проверки сетевых подключений. В этой статье мы покажем несколько способов, как отключить и включить встроенный брандмауэр Windows.
Отключить/включить брандмауэр из панели управления Windows
В современных версиях Windows 10 и 11 для управления брандмауэром используется панель Безопасность Windows (Windows Security).
Если панель Windows Security не открывается или повреждена, вы можете восстановить ее.
- Перейдите в меню Параметры (Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Security) или выполните команду
windowsdefender://network/
; - Выберите раздел Firewall and network protection;
- По очереди щелкните по каждому из трех сетевых профилей (Domain, Private и Public) и отключите Microsoft Defender Firewall;
,
- Подтвердите отключение в окне User Account Control.
В Windows для каждого сетевого подключения используется один из трех сетевых профилей:
- Domain – применяется для компьютеров, которые добавлены в домен AD
- Private – для небольших офисных LAN, рабочих групп и домашней сети
- Public – для общественных сетей (кафе, аэропорты)
В зависимости от типа сети к сетевому интерфейсу применяются различные правила брандмауэра и настройки обнаружения Windows в сетевом окружении. Вы можете изменить профиль сети подключения как описано тут.
В предыдущих версиях Windows и в Windows Server 2012R2/2016/2019 можно отключить брандмауэр через классическую панель управления «Windows Firewall with Advanced Security«:
- Откройте консоль
firewall.cpl
; - Щелкните по Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off;
- Отключите Windows Defender firewall для всех типов сетей.
Если на компьютере есть несколько сетевых интерфейсов, вы можете отключить файервол только для некоторых из них.
- Нажмите кнопку Advanced Settings -> Windows Defender Firewall properties;
- В настройках каждого сетевого профиля есть раздел Protected network connections. Нажмите кнопку Customize;
- Снимите галки с тех сетевых интерфейсов, для которых нужно отключить брандмауэр.
- Аналогичным образом отключите защиту сетевых интерфейсов брандмуэром в настройках других сетевых профилей.
Когда вы отключаете брандмауэр, в трее начнет отображаться соответствующее уведомление.
Чтобы скрыть это всплывающее уведомление, добавьте следующий параметр реестра:
reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Notifications" /v "DisableNotifications" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
Обратите внимание, что в Windows есть отдельная системная служба Windows Defender Firewall (
mpssvc
). Если вы отключите или приостановите эту службу, это не отключит брандмауэр до тех пор, пока вы сами не отключите защиту для сетевых профилей.
Однако через остановку служб вы можете отключить встроенный антивирус Защитник Windows.
Отключить Windows Firewall через GPO
Вы можете отключить Windows Firewall с помощью групповых политик.
На отдельном компьютере нужно использовать консоль редактора локальной групповой политики (
gpedit,msc
), а в доменной среде нужно создать новую GPO с помощью консоли управления GPMC.
- Откройте GPO и перейдите в раздел Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Network -> Network Connections -> Windows Firewall -> Domain Profile.
- Откройте параметр “Windows Firewall: Protect all network connections” и измените значение на Disabled;
- Аналогичным образом измените параметр в секции Standard Profile;
- Обновите настройки GPO на компьютере и проверьте, что брандмауэр для доменного профиля отключен;
- Если компьютер будет подключен к сети, отличной от доменной, Windows Firewall будет защищать такое подключение.
- Если вы хотите отключить брандмауэр для всех сетевых профилей, перейдите в раздел GPO Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Windows Firewall with Advanced Security. Отключите файервол на вкладках всех трех сетевых профилей.
После того, как вы отключили Windows Firewall через GPO, пользователь не сможет включить его вручную через панель управления.
Как отключить или включить брандмауэр Windows с помощью PowerShell?
Для управления Windows Firewall из командной строки можно использовать PowerShell.
Проверьте, что брандмауэр включен для всех трех сетевых профилей:
Get-NetFirewallProfile | Format-Table Name, Enabled
Можно отключить брандмауэр только для одного сетевого профиля:
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain -Enabled False
Или отключить firewall сразу для всех сетевых профилей:
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain, Public, Private -Enabled False
Чтобы включить Windows Defender, выполните команду:
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain, Public, Private -Enabled True
Вы можете отключить защиту брандмауэра для конкретного сетевого подключения. Чтобы узнать имя сетевого подключения, выведите их список:
Get-NetAdapter
Теперь можно отключить файервол для выбранного интерфейса:
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain, Public, Private -DisabledInterfaceAliases "My_Internal_NIC1"
Вывести список сетевых адаптеров, которые исключены из файервола:
Get-NetFirewallProfile | select Name,Enabled,DisabledInterfaceAliases
Очистить список исключений:
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain,Public,Private -DisabledInterfaceAliases @()
При работе с удаленным рабочим столом или сервером на Windows, пользователи часто встречают моменты, когда для правильной и полноценной работы используемого программного комплекса требуются дополнительные правила работы в стандартной системе безопасности Widows Firewall, которая ограничивает входящие и исходящие подключения сервера тем самым защищая его от внешних угроз с сети.
Стандартные правила безопасности Windows Firewall настроены так, чтобы доступ к устройству был строго ограничен по сети и почти все сетевые порты находятся под защитой. Но нередко пользователю необходимо открыть входящий или исходящий порт в Windows Firewall. Давайте же рассмотрим вариант добавления нового входящего порта подключения для работы сервиса удаленного рабочего стола на нестандартном порту.
Для начала нам необходимо открыть центр управления фаерволом Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security. Это можно сделать несколькими способами:
Через меню Пуск
Откройте меню Пуск и найдите соответствующий ярлык в разделе Administrative Tools
Start Menu — Windows Administrative Tools — Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security
Через консоль управления Server Manager
В консоле управления Server Manager для Windows Server перейдите в раздел Local Server и затем нажмите на изменение параметра Microsoft Defender Firewall.
Далее нажмите на ссылку Advanced Settings.
Через командную строку cmd
Используя комбинацию Win+R откройте окно “Выполнить” и впишите там “wf.msc”
Мы успешно запустили центр управления фаерволом Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security. В открывшемся окне, в левой части, вы можете видеть навигацию параметров, где можно выбрать нужные для изменения правила (входящие или исходящие подключения).
Давайте же перейдем в раздел входящих подключений и нажмем правой кнопкой мыши по Inbound Rule для создания нового правила.
Выберите тип правила. Это может быть разрешение на отдельную программу либо отдельно настраиваемое правило (custom).
Так как мы хотим разрешить подключения RDP для определенного порта, то выбираем значение “Port”.
Указываем номер порта. В нашем случае «33892«
Разрешаем работу нашего правила для зон фаервола.
Выбор конкретной зоны определяется тем, к какой ранее зоне было подключено и настроено устройство, на котором мы производим настройки:
— Домен — правило применяется только тогда, когда компьютер подключен к сетевому домену.
— Частная — правило применяется только тогда, когда компьютер подключен к доверенным частным сетям
— Публичная — правило применяется только при подключении компьютера к ненадежным публичным сетям
Разрешите подключения к нашему правилу
Укажите имя правила, которое будет установлено для идентификации его в списке всех правил фаервола.
Мы успешно создали с вами новое правило входящего подключения к нашему серверу!
Используя данный метод, теперь вы можете свободно добавлять новые правила не только во входящие, но и исходящие подключения. Выбирать определенные программы и создавать собственные варианты правил.
Как сбросить правила Windows Firewall?
У пользователей которые ещё не совсем освоились с работой Windows Firewall и Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security нередко возникают ситуации, когда новое добавленное правило может заблокировать доступ к нужной программе. И когда таких правил становится очень много – возникает вопрос о том, как сбросить все правила Windows Firewall до стандартных значений системы. Это очень полезный и удобный инструмент для тех, кто ещё не совсем разобрался в тонкостях работы фаервола в Windows и хочет вернуть все настройки до заводских.
Отдельно стоит заметить, что данный метод эффективен для локальных систем, к которым есть физический доступ, так как в случае работы через удаленный рабочий стол, сброс настроек Windows Firewall закроет вам доступ к порту RDP, так как стандартно данный порт ограничен безопасностью для подключения по сети.
Мы убедительно советуем использовать данный на выделенных серверах, VPS/VDS или удаленном рабочем столе только в том случае, если у вас есть физический или виртуальных доступ к управлению системы сервера или устройства через интернет. Это может быть IPMI, IP-KVM, VNC сервисы для удаленного администрирования сервера.
Для сброса правил Windows Firewall перейдите в окно настроек Firewall & network protection используя способ, который мы описали в начале данной статьи, и нажмите на ссылку “Restore firewalls to default”.
В новом окне нажмите на “Restore defaults” и далее согласитесь с рисками данной операции.
В свою очередь мы хотим напомнить вам, что мы предоставляем аренду удаленного рабочего стола с полным доступом к виртуальному серверу. Это значит, что даже если вы что-то сделаете не то и у вас пропадет доступ к удаленному рабочему столу по сети – мы сможем предоставить вам доступ к VNC консоле или сами произвести операции с сервером для возобновления его доступности. Данная функция абсолютно бесплатна и поддерживается всеми нашими услугами удаленного рабочего стола с полным доступом администратора.
Аренда удаленного рабочего стола в Европе и США доступна по указанной ниже ссылке.
https://finerdp.com/ru/rdp-server
When it comes to protecting our computers from potential security threats, Windows Firewall with Advanced Security plays a vital role. It is a powerful tool that safeguards our system by filtering incoming and outgoing network traffic. But have you ever wondered how to open Windows Firewall with Advanced Security and take full control over your computer’s security settings? In this guide, we will explore the steps to access this advanced feature and ensure the highest level of protection for your Windows operating system.
Opening Windows Firewall with Advanced Security grants you the ability to manage and customize your computer’s firewall settings with precision. By gaining access to this advanced interface, you can create inbound and outbound rules, configure security profiles, and monitor incoming and outgoing connections. Windows Firewall with Advanced Security also allows you to define specific settings for various network types, such as domain, private, or public networks, ensuring your system remains secure in different network environments. With this level of control, you can effectively safeguard your computer from malicious attacks and keep your sensitive data protected.
To open Windows Firewall with Advanced Security, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type «wf.msc» and press Enter.
- The Windows Firewall with Advanced Security window will open.
Understanding Windows Firewall With Advanced Security
Windows Firewall is a built-in security feature in the Windows operating system that helps protect your computer from unauthorized access and malicious software. With Windows Firewall, you can control inbound and outbound network traffic by allowing or blocking specific applications or ports. Windows Firewall With Advanced Security extends the capabilities of the basic Windows Firewall and provides a more comprehensive set of features for managing network traffic.
1. Opening Windows Firewall With Advanced Security
To open Windows Firewall With Advanced Security, follow these steps:
- Click on the Start menu and type «Windows Defender Firewall» in the search bar.
- Select «Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security» from the search results.
- The Windows Firewall With Advanced Security window will open, showing the various configuration options.
Alternatively, you can open Windows Firewall With Advanced Security directly from the Control Panel by following these steps:
- Open the Control Panel by clicking on the Start menu and typing «Control Panel» in the search bar.
- Select «Control Panel» from the search results.
- In the Control Panel window, click on «System and Security» and then select «Windows Firewall.»
- The Windows Firewall window will open. Click on «Advanced settings» to access Windows Firewall With Advanced Security.
Once you have opened Windows Firewall With Advanced Security, you can configure the various settings to customize the firewall’s behavior based on your specific requirements.
Understanding the Windows Firewall With Advanced Security Interface
The Windows Firewall With Advanced Security interface consists of three main sections:
- Inbound Rules: These rules control incoming network traffic to your computer. You can configure specific rules to allow or block certain applications or ports.
- Outbound Rules: These rules control outgoing network traffic from your computer. You can define rules to allow or block specific applications or ports.
- Connection Security Rules: These rules control the security settings for network connections. You can configure rules to secure network communications using authentication and encryption.
Each section contains a list of pre-defined rules and the ability to create custom rules. By configuring these rules, you can manage the traffic that enters or exits your computer to enhance its security.
Customizing Inbound and Outbound Rules
The Inbound Rules and Outbound Rules sections allow you to define custom rules to control network traffic based on your specific requirements. To customize these rules:
- Right-click on the respective section (Inbound Rules or Outbound Rules) and select «New Rule.»
- Choose the rule type depending on your needs, such as Program, Port, or Predefined.
- Specify the program or port to allow or block, or select a pre-defined rule from the list.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to configure additional settings for the rule, such as action (allow or block), profile, and scope.
- Provide a name and description for the rule, if desired.
- Click «Finish» to create the custom rule.
By customizing the inbound and outbound rules, you can have granular control over the network traffic entering or leaving your computer, ensuring maximum security.
Configuring Connection Security Rules
Connection Security Rules allow you to define security settings for your network connections, including authentication and encryption requirements. To configure these rules:
- Right-click on the «Connection Security Rules» section and select «New Rule.»
- Choose the rule type, such as Isolation, Authentication, or Encryption.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to configure the rule settings, such as tunnel endpoint, authentication method, or encryption algorithm.
- Specify the profile and scope for the rule.
- Provide a name and description for the rule, if desired.
- Click «Finish» to create the connection security rule.
Configuring connection security rules adds an extra layer of protection to your network communications by ensuring that only authorized and secure connections are established.
In conclusion, Windows Firewall With Advanced Security offers enhanced control and customization options for managing your computer’s network traffic. By opening and utilizing this feature, you can strengthen the security of your computer and protect it from potential threats. Whether it’s customizing inbound and outbound rules or configuring connection security settings, Windows Firewall With Advanced Security provides a comprehensive solution for managing network traffic in a way that aligns with your specific needs and requirements.
Opening Windows Firewall With Advanced Security
In order to open Windows Firewall with Advanced Security, follow these steps:
- Click the «Start» button in the bottom left corner of your screen.
- Type «Windows Security» in the search bar and click on the «Windows Security» app.
- In the Windows Security app, click on «Firewall & Network Protection» in the left-hand menu.
- Click on «Advanced settings» on the right-hand side.
- Windows Firewall with Advanced Security will now open, allowing you to configure advanced settings for inbound and outbound connections.
Opening Windows Firewall with Advanced Security gives you greater control over how your computer communicates with other devices and networks. It allows you to create advanced inbound and outbound rules, specify connection security rules, and manage firewall profiles.
By accessing Windows Firewall with Advanced Security, you can ensure that your computer’s network connections are secure and protected from unauthorized access. It is an essential tool for managing and maintaining the security of your Windows operating system.
Key Takeaways — How to Open Windows Firewall With Advanced Security
- Opening the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security can help improve your computer’s security.
- You can open Windows Firewall with Advanced Security using the Control Panel or the Run command.
- Opening Windows Firewall with Advanced Security allows you to customize advanced security settings.
- When opening Windows Firewall with Advanced Security, make sure you have administrative privileges.
- It is important to regularly check and update your Windows Firewall settings for optimal security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions about opening Windows Firewall with Advanced Security:
1. How can I access Windows Firewall with Advanced Security?
To access Windows Firewall with Advanced Security, follow these steps:
a. Open the Start menu and search for «firewall».
b. Click on «Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security» from the search results.
c. The Windows Firewall with Advanced Security window will open, allowing you to manage your firewall settings.
2. Can I open Windows Firewall with Advanced Security from the Control Panel?
No, you cannot open Windows Firewall with Advanced Security from the Control Panel. The Control Panel only provides access to basic firewall settings. To access the advanced settings, you need to follow the steps mentioned above.
3. What are the benefits of using Windows Firewall with Advanced Security?
Using Windows Firewall with Advanced Security offers several benefits, including:
a. Enhanced security: The advanced security features provide better protection against threats.
b. Customization options: You can configure the firewall rules according to your specific requirements.
c. Detailed logging and monitoring: Advanced Security allows you to monitor firewall activities and view detailed logs for troubleshooting purposes.
4. Are there any risks associated with opening Windows Firewall with Advanced Security?
Opening Windows Firewall with Advanced Security does not inherently pose any risks. However, it is crucial to ensure that you configure the firewall rules correctly to avoid unintended vulnerabilities. Always make sure to allow legitimate traffic and block potential threats.
5. Can I manage Windows Firewall with Advanced Security remotely?
Yes, it is possible to manage Windows Firewall with Advanced Security remotely. By using tools such as Group Policy or Windows PowerShell, you can manage the firewall settings on multiple computers from a central location.
To summarize, opening Windows Firewall with Advanced Security is a crucial step in securing your computer and network from potential threats. It provides enhanced control over inbound and outbound traffic, allowing you to create specific rules and policies.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily access the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security interface. Remember to always keep your firewall enabled and regularly update your rules to stay protected.
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Windows Defender Firewall is a software firewall component of the Windows operating system. In this post, we will show you how to open Windows Firewall using different methods on your PC to access the application whether you want to turn it off or just to make sure it is running to protect your PC.
The Windows Defender Firewall can be configured to allow or block programs on a computer from accessing network or Internet resources. It also allows or blocks connections to and from other computers on a network. Essentially, as part of its built-in security suite for the Windows OS, the application works to protect the operating system and user data on the computer from improper or unapproved access, use, and possible infection. PC users can access or open the Windows Defender Firewall using any of the following methods below.
1] Control Panel
To open Windows Firewall in Windows 11 or Windows 10:
- Press Windows key + R to invoke the Run dialog.
- In the Run dialog box, type control and hit Enter to open Control Panel.
- From the top right corner of the window, set the View by option to Small icons or Large icons.
- Select Windows Defender Firewall.
Read: How to test your Firewall software
2] Run Dialog
- Press Windows + R key combination to open the Run dialog.
- In the Run dialog box, type
control firewall.cpland hit Enter.
3] Windows Search
- Click the Search icon or bar on the extreme left of the taskbar (Windows 10) OR press the Windows key on the keyboard.
- Type in
windows defender firewall. - Select Windows Defender Firewall from the result or click Open on the right pane.
Read: How to Restore or Reset Windows Firewall settings to defaults
4] Windows Terminal
- Press the Windows key + X to open Power User Menu.
- Tap A on the keyboard to launch Windows Terminal in admin/elevated mode.
- In the PowerShell console or CMD prompt, type
control firewall.cpland hit Enter.
Read: Best Free Firewall software for Windows
5] Desktop Shortcut
You can also create a desktop shortcut for Windows Firewall and place it on your desktop or anywhere else you want it. When you make the shortcut, enter the text control firewall.cpl into the Type the location of the item field. Once you have successfully created the desktop shortcut, to open the Windows Defender Firewall applet, double-click the shortcut.
Read: Import, Export, Repair, Restore Default Firewall Policy in Windows
6] Keyboard Shortcut
To use a keyboard shortcut to open Windows Firewall, you will first have to create a desktop shortcut as shown above. Once you’ve done that, you can apply a hotkey to the Windows Firewall desktop shortcut by following these steps:
- Right-click a Windows Defender Firewall shortcut you’ve added to the desktop and select Properties.
- In the Shortcut key field, enter the Ctrl + Alt + F (where F is for firewall) hotkey.
- Click Apply > OK to save the changes.
Now, to open Windows Defender Firewall, simply press the Ctrl + Alt + F key combo. You can always change that hotkey by pressing a different key for it within the Shortcut key field. If you delete the Windows Defender Firewall desktop shortcut, the hotkey assigned to it will also be erased.
Read: Windows Firewall with Advanced Security – Deploying IPsec Policies
7] Desktop Context Menu
You can modify the registry to add a Windows Firewall option to the desktop context menu which contains the following actions:
- Windows Firewall – opens the user interface of the app
- Windows Firewall with Advanced Security – opens Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
- Configure Allowed Apps
- Turn On Windows Firewall
- Turn Off Windows Firewall
- Reset Windows Firewall
- Windows Defender Security Center
Since this is a registry operation, it is recommended that you back up the registry or create a system restore point as necessary precautionary measures. To add Windows Firewall to Context Menu in Windows 11/10, do the following:
- Press Windows key + R to invoke the Run dialog.
- In the Run dialog box, type notepad and hit Enter to open Notepad.
- Copy and paste the code below into the text editor.
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\FirewallContextMenu]
"Icon"="FirewallControlPanel.dll,-1"
"MUIVerb"="Windows Firewall"
"Position"="Bottom"
"SubCommands"=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\FirewallContextMenu\Shell\Command001]
"Icon"="FirewallControlPanel.dll,-1"
"MUIVerb"="Windows Firewall"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\FirewallContextMenu\Shell\Command001\Command]
@="RunDll32 shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL firewall.cpl"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\FirewallContextMenu\Shell\Command002]
"HasLUAShield"=""
"MUIVerb"="Windows Firewall with Advanced Security"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\FirewallContextMenu\Shell\Command002\Command]
@="mmc.exe /s wf.msc"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\FirewallContextMenu\Shell\Command003]
"Icon"="FirewallControlPanel.dll,-1"
"MUIVerb"="Configure Allowed Apps"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\FirewallContextMenu\Shell\Command003\Command]
@="explorer shell:::{4026492F-2F69-46B8-B9BF-5654FC07E423} -Microsoft.WindowsFirewall\\pageConfigureApps"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\FirewallContextMenu\Shell\Command004]
"CommandFlags"=dword:00000020
"HasLUAShield"=""
"MUIVerb"="Turn On Windows Firewall"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\FirewallContextMenu\Shell\Command004\Command]
@="powershell.exe -windowstyle hidden -command \"Start-Process cmd -ArgumentList '/s,/c,netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state on' -Verb runAs\""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\FirewallContextMenu\Shell\Command005]
"HasLUAShield"=""
"MUIVerb"="Turn Off Windows Firewall"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\FirewallContextMenu\Shell\Command005\Command]
@="powershell.exe -windowstyle hidden -command \"Start-Process cmd -ArgumentList '/s,/c,netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state off' -Verb runAs\""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\FirewallContextMenu\Shell\Command006]
"HasLUAShield"=""
"MUIVerb"="Reset Windows Firewall"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\FirewallContextMenu\Shell\Command006\Command]
@="powershell -windowstyle hidden -command \"Start-Process cmd -ArgumentList '/s,/c,netsh advfirewall reset' -Verb runAs\""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\FirewallContextMenu\Shell\Command007]
"Icon"="%ProgramFiles%\\Windows Defender\\EppManifest.dll,-101"
"MUIVerb"="Windows Defender Security Center"
"CommandFlags"=dword:00000020
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\FirewallContextMenu\Shell\Command007\Command]
@="explorer windowsdefender:"
- Now, click the File option from the menu and select the Save As button.
- Choose a location (preferably desktop) where you want to save the file.
- Enter a name with a .reg extension (eg; AddWF-To-DCM.reg).
- Choose All Files from the Save as type drop-down list.
- Double-click the saved .reg file to merge it.
- If prompted, click on Run > Yes (UAC) > Yes > OK to approve the merge.
- You can now delete the .reg file if you like.
If you want to remove the option, repeat the steps above but this time use the code below:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\FirewallContextMenu]
That’s it on how to open Windows Firewall using different methods!
Read next: 10 ways to open Windows Security Center
Is there another way to get your firewall settings if so how?
You will find the native Firewall application for the Windows operating system in the System and Security section of the Control Panel app. Still, you can easily open or access the Windows Firewall’s settings by using any of the methods described in this post above. You can use the netsh command to verify the firewall settings. You will see information similar to the following: Profile = Domain. Exception mode = Enable. Multicast/broadcast response mode = Enable. Notification mode = Enable.
Read: Windows Defender Firewall is using settings that make device unsafe
How to open Windows Firewall ports command line?
Open the command prompt, type netstat –na, and hit Enter. Find port 445 under the Local Address from the output and check the State. If it says Listening, your port is open. To open the Remote Desktop port (port 3389) in Windows Firewall, go to Advanced settings on the left side and ensure that ‘Inbound Rules’ for Remote Desktop is ‘Enabled’.
Obinna has completed B.Tech in Information & Communication Technology. He has worked as a System Support Engineer, primarily on User Endpoint Administration, as well as a Technical Analyst, primarily on Server/System Administration. He also has experience as a Network and Communications Officer. He has been a Windows Insider MVP (2020) and currently owns and runs a Computer Clinic.