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There might be anonymous reason for which you need to stop the Windows Defender Firewall service (mpssvc).

With Windows Server 2016, 2012R2, 2008R2, this command did the job:

Restart-Service mpssvc –Force

However when you try same command with Windows Server 2019, following message appears.

Service 'Windows Defender Firewall (mpssvc)' cannot be stopped due to the following error: Cannot open mpssvc service on computer '.'.

Additionally, when you go to Services snap-in, the UI doesn’t allow you to stop the service.

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Then you try some other things but you still get the same error.

• Run command line as administrator
• Use “SDSET” to change the security descriptor

Then how to stop Windows Defender Firewall Service on Windows Server 2019? Well, here is how:

Stop Windows Defender Firewall Service On Windows Server 2019

Usually it is recommended that you don’t stop Windows Defender Firewall Service for security reasons.

However, you still want to stop it at your own risk, you can try these steps using registry.

1. Open Registry Editor.
2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\mpssvc.
3. Set the registry DWORD Start to 4.
4. Restart the server and Windows Defender Firewall Service should be stopped.

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Have you ever wondered how to stop the Windows Defender Firewall Service in Server 2019? Well, here’s an interesting fact for you: disabling the Windows Defender Firewall Service can give you more control over your network security settings. With the ability to stop the service, you can customize your firewall settings to suit your specific needs and preferences.

To stop the Windows Defender Firewall Service in Server 2019, you need to follow a few steps. First, go to the Control Panel and open the System and Security settings. From there, locate the Windows Defender Firewall option and click on it. In the new window, you will find the option to turn the firewall on or off. Simply click on the «Turn off Windows Defender Firewall» option, and the service will be stopped. This simple solution allows you to take control of your firewall settings and protect your network in a way that aligns with your unique requirements.

Disabling Windows Defender Firewall Service in Server 2019

Windows Defender Firewall Service is a crucial component of the Windows Server 2019 operating system. It provides a layer of protection against unauthorized access and malicious attacks. However, there may be instances when it becomes necessary to disable the Windows Defender Firewall Service. This article will guide you through the steps to stop the Windows Defender Firewall Service on Server 2019, ensuring that you have the information you need to make informed decisions about your system’s security settings.

Stopping Windows Defender Firewall Service using Services Console

The Services Console is a built-in management tool in Windows Server 2019 that allows you to manage system services, including the Windows Defender Firewall Service. Here’s how you can stop the Windows Defender Firewall Service using the Services Console:

• Open the Services Console by pressing the Windows key + R, typing «services.msc,» and clicking OK.
• In the Services Console window, locate the «Windows Defender Firewall» service.
• Right-click on the «Windows Defender Firewall» service and select «Stop» from the context menu.
• The Windows Defender Firewall Service will now be stopped. You can verify this by checking the «Status» column in the Services Console.

Disabling Windows Defender Firewall Service permanently

If you want to permanently disable the Windows Defender Firewall Service on Server 2019, you can follow these additional steps:

• Open the Services Console as mentioned earlier.
• Right-click on the «Windows Defender Firewall» service and select «Properties» from the context menu.
• In the Properties window, change the «Startup type» to «Disabled.»
• Click OK to save the changes.

Stopping Windows Defender Firewall Service using Command Prompt

Another method to stop the Windows Defender Firewall Service on Server 2019 is by using the Command Prompt. Follow these steps:

• Open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges. You can do this by pressing the Windows key, typing «cmd,» right-clicking on «Command Prompt,» and selecting «Run as administrator.»
• In the Command Prompt window, type the following command:

net stop MpsSvc

This command will stop the Windows Defender Firewall Service. You can confirm the service has stopped by checking the output in the Command Prompt.

Disabling Windows Defender Firewall Service using Group Policy

If you want to disable the Windows Defender Firewall Service on multiple servers in your network, you can use Group Policy. Here’s how:

Note: Group Policy changes affect the entire network, so use this method only if you want to disable the Windows Defender Firewall Service on all servers. Make sure you have the necessary permissions before proceeding.

• On a server with Group Policy Management installed, open the Group Policy Management Console.
• Create a new Group Policy object or edit an existing one.
• Navigate to Computer Configuration -> Policies -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> System Services.
• In the right pane, locate the «Windows Defender Firewall» service.
• Double-click on the «Windows Defender Firewall» service and select «Define this policy setting.»
• In the Define Service window, set the «Startup Mode» to «Disabled.» Click OK to save the changes.
• Link the Group Policy object to the desired organizational unit (OU) or the entire domain.
• Wait for the Group Policy to propagate to the targeted servers, or manually force the policy update using the «gpupdate /force» command.

Another Aspect of Stopping Windows Defender Firewall Service Server 2019

Aside from the aforementioned methods, there is another aspect to consider when stopping the Windows Defender Firewall Service on Server 2019. It is essential to have an alternative security solution in place if you decide to disable the built-in firewall. Disabling the firewall completely can leave your system and network vulnerable to various threats. Therefore, make sure to implement robust security measures such as a hardware firewall or a third-party software firewall to compensate for the absence of Windows Defender Firewall.

Summary

Stopping the Windows Defender Firewall Service on Server 2019 can be necessary in certain situations. This article outlined the various methods available to disable the service, including using the Services Console, Command Prompt, and Group Policy. Additionally, it emphasized the importance of implementing an alternative security solution to ensure continued protection of your system and network. Take the necessary precautions and consider the potential risks before making any changes to the Windows Defender Firewall Service settings on Server 2019.

Картинка с сайта: softwareg.com.au

Stopping Windows Defender Firewall Service in Windows Server 2019

Windows Defender Firewall is an essential security feature in Windows Server 2019 that protects your server from unauthorized access and malicious activities. However, there may be certain situations where you need to stop or disable the Windows Defender Firewall service temporarily:

• When troubleshooting network connectivity issues
• When installing certain software applications that require disabling the firewall temporarily
• When testing network configurations or security measures

To stop the Windows Defender Firewall service in Windows Server 2019, follow these steps:

• Open the «Services» window either by searching for «Services» in the Start menu or by pressing Windows Key + R and typing «services.msc»
• In the Services window, scroll down and locate the «Windows Defender Firewall» service
• Right-click on the «Windows Defender Firewall» service and select «Stop»
• The Windows Defender Firewall service will now be stopped, and the firewall will be disabled temporarily

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions related to stopping the Windows Defender Firewall Service on Server 2019:

1. Can I stop the Windows Defender Firewall Service on Server 2019?

Yes, you can stop the Windows Defender Firewall Service on Server 2019. However, it is important to note that disabling the firewall service can leave your server vulnerable to security threats. It is recommended to only stop the service temporarily for specific reasons, such as troubleshooting issues or testing network connectivity.

To stop the Windows Defender Firewall Service on Server 2019, you can follow these steps:

a. Open the Windows Defender Firewall settings

Go to the control panel or use the search bar to find «Windows Defender Firewall.» Click on the search result to open the Windows Defender Firewall settings.

b. Turn off the Firewall settings

In the Windows Defender Firewall settings, select the «Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off» option from the left panel. Choose the «Turn off Windows Defender Firewall» option for both the private network and public network settings. Click on «OK» to save the changes.

Remember to turn the firewall service back on when you have completed the necessary tasks or troubleshooting.

2. Will stopping the Windows Defender Firewall Service affect my server’s security?

Stopping the Windows Defender Firewall Service will affect your server’s security. The firewall provides a line of defense against unauthorized access and helps protect your server from malicious activities. Disabling the firewall service should only be done temporarily and for specific purposes, as it can leave your server vulnerable to attacks if not done properly.

3. Can I schedule the automatic stopping and starting of the Windows Defender Firewall Service?

No, by default, there is no built-in feature to schedule the automatic stopping and starting of the Windows Defender Firewall Service on Server 2019. However, you can use third-party task scheduling tools or scripts to automate this process according to your specific requirements.

4. How can I verify if the Windows Defender Firewall Service is stopped on Server 2019?

To verify if the Windows Defender Firewall Service is stopped on Server 2019, you can follow these steps:

a. Open the Services console

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type «services.msc» and press Enter to open the Services console.

b. Locate the Windows Defender Firewall service

In the Services console, scroll down and locate the «Windows Defender Firewall» service. Check the status column to see if it is stopped.

If the status is «Running,» it means the service is not stopped. If it is «Stopped,» then the Windows Defender Firewall Service is successfully stopped on your Server 2019.

5. What are the risks of stopping the Windows Defender Firewall Service on Server 2019?

Stopping the Windows Defender Firewall Service on Server 2019 can expose your server to various risks, including:

a. Unauthorized Access: Without a functioning firewall, your server becomes more vulnerable to unauthorized access, potentially leading to data breaches or system compromise.

b. Malware Infections: Disabling the firewall increases the chances of malware infiltrating your server, as it removes an important layer of protection against malicious software.

c. Network Vulnerabilities: A disabled firewall can expose your server to network vulnerabilities, allowing attackers to exploit weaknesses and compromise your network security.

It is essential to weigh the risks and benefits before stopping the Windows Defender Firewall Service and

In summary, stopping the Windows Defender Firewall Service on Server 2019 can be done effectively using the command prompt or through the Windows Services interface. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can disable the firewall service temporarily or permanently, depending on your needs.

Remember, disabling the firewall service should only be done in specific situations where you have adequate alternative security measures in place. It is important to assess the potential risks and consequences before making this decision. If you do choose to disable the Windows Defender Firewall Service, ensure that you have other reliable security solutions to protect your system from potential threats.

Windows Defender Firewall is an essential security feature in Windows Server 2019, designed to help protect your server from unauthorized access and ensure that only trusted applications can communicate over your network. However, there may be cases where you need to disable or stop the Windows Defender Firewall service temporarily, such as for troubleshooting network issues, testing new software installations, or during specific administrative tasks. In this article, we’ll explore different methods to stop the Windows Defender Firewall service on Windows Server 2019, along with some important considerations to keep in mind.

Understanding Windows Defender Firewall

Before diving into how to stop the Windows Defender Firewall service, it’s crucial to understand what it is and what it does. Windows Defender Firewall is a built-in firewall component of Windows operating systems. It monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.

The primary functions of Windows Defender Firewall include:

1. Protecting against unauthorized access: By filtering and blocking suspicious traffic, the firewall helps keep your server secure from outside threats.

2. Customizable rules: Administrators can define rules that specify which applications and services can send or receive network traffic, allowing fine-tuned control over server communication.

3. Logging: Windows Defender Firewall can log security events, providing insight into potentially malicious activity directed at the server or network.

While these features are essential for maintaining server security, there may be scenarios where stopping the firewall service becomes necessary.

Important Considerations Before Stopping Windows Defender Firewall

Before proceeding with stopping the Windows Defender Firewall, consider the following:

1. Security Risks: Stopping the firewall exposes your server to potential threats, as it removes a critical defense mechanism. It is essential to ensure that other security measures are in place before disabling the firewall.

2. Temporary Actions: Whenever possible, aim to stop the firewall service temporarily rather than permanently. Once your troubleshooting or tasks are complete, re-enable the service to maintain a secure environment.

3. Testing Environment: If you are testing or troubleshooting software, consider doing so in a controlled environment rather than on a production server. Keeping your production environment secure is of utmost importance.

4. Keep Backups: Before making any changes to your server’s configuration, ensure that you have up-to-date backups of critical data and system settings.

Having established these essential pointers, let’s move on to the methods you can use to stop the Windows Defender Firewall service on Windows Server 2019.

Method 1: Stopping Windows Defender Firewall Using Windows Settings

1. Open Windows Security: Click on the Start menu, and then click on the «Settings» icon (the gear icon). In the Settings window, find and click on «Update & Security.»

2. Access Windows Security: From the left-hand menu, select «Windows Security» and then click on «Firewall & network protection.»

3. Select the Network Profile: You will see three network profiles: Domain network, Private network, and Public network. Click on the network profile that is currently active on your server (generally, this will be “Domain network”).

4. Disable the Firewall: Toggle the switch under «Windows Defender Firewall» to turn it off. Windows will prompt you with a warning, reminding you about the dangers of disabling the firewall.

5. Close Windows Security: Once the firewall has been disabled, you can close the Windows Security window. Remember to restore the settings after you are done with your tasks.

Method 2: Stopping Windows Defender Firewall from Command Prompt

For users who prefer the command line, the Command Prompt provides a way to stop the Windows Defender Firewall service.

1. Open Command Prompt: Search for «cmd» in the Start menu. Right-click on «Command Prompt» and select «Run as administrator» to open it with elevated privileges.

2. Stop the Firewall Service: Enter the following command:

   netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state off

3. Execute the Command: Press Enter to execute the command. You should see a confirmation message that the firewall has been turned off.

4. Verify the Status: To ensure that the firewall is indeed off, enter the following command:

   netsh advfirewall show allprofiles

   Check the status displayed; it should inform you that the firewall is turned off.

5. Re-Enable the Firewall: Once you are finished with your tasks, remember to turn the firewall back on by executing:

   netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state on

Method 3: Stopping Windows Defender Firewall Using PowerShell

PowerShell is a powerful tool that offers another method to manage Windows Defender Firewall services.

1. Open PowerShell: Search for «PowerShell» in the Start menu. Right-click on «Windows PowerShell» and select «Run as administrator.»

2. Disable the Firewall: Enter the following command to stop the firewall service:

   Set-NetFirewallProfile -All -Enabled False

3. Check the Status: You can verify whether the firewall is disabled using:

   Get-NetFirewallProfile | Format-Table -Property Name, Enabled

   The output will show you a list of firewall profiles along with their enabled status.

4. Re-Enable the Firewall: After you complete your tasks, you can re-enable the firewall using:

   Set-NetFirewallProfile -All -Enabled True

Method 4: Stopping Windows Defender Firewall via Services Management Console

While the above methods focus on command-line approaches, you can also manage the firewall service through the Services Management Console.

1. Open Services: Press Win + R to open the Run dialog. Type services.msc and press Enter.

2. Locate Windows Defender Firewall: In the Services window, scroll down to find “Windows Defender Firewall.”

3. Stop the Service: Right-click on the «Windows Defender Firewall» entry, then click on “Stop.”

4. Confirm the Action: Depending on your system configuration, you might get a confirmation dialog. Once confirmed, the firewall service will stop.

5. Re-Start the Service Later: If needed, you can also restart the service from this console by selecting “Start” from the right-click menu.

Method 5: Stopping the Firewall Using Group Policy (Advanced Users)

For servers managed in an enterprise environment, Group Policy may govern the firewall settings. If you have administrative privileges, you can modify these policies as follows:

1. Open Group Policy Management: Press Win + R, type gpmc.msc, and press Enter.

2. Select the Appropriate Group Policy Object: Locate your domain or organizational unit (OU) and right-click to edit the policy.

3. Navigate to Firewall Settings: Go to Computer Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security.

4. Disable the Policy: Here you can modify the settings for each profile (Domain, Private, Public) and set the firewall to «Not Configured» or disable it outright.

5. Apply the Changes: Make sure to apply the changes and exit the Group Policy Management Editor.

6. Force Update Group Policy: To ensure the new settings are applied immediately, run gpupdate /force in Command Prompt or PowerShell.

Securing Your Server After Disabling the Firewall

Once you’ve followed through with any of the methods to stop the Windows Defender Firewall service, it’s imperative to ensure that your server’s security is maintained. Here are some recommendations:

1. Implement Alternative Security Measures: If you’re disabling the firewall, consider using other security applications or systems, such as Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) or Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS).

2. Be Cautious With Open Ports: If you must have services running on open ports, ensure that they are secured and monitored.

3. Conduct a Security Audit: Perform a thorough security audit to assess your server’s vulnerability once the firewall is turned off, checking that all services running are secure and necessary.

4. Establish a Plan for Re-enabling the Firewall: Set a reminder to re-enable the firewall service when your tasks are completed. You can even automate this with a scheduled task.

5. Regular Maintenance: Continuously monitor your server for unusual activity, and perform regular updates on both your server and any security software in use.

Conclusion

Stopping Windows Defender Firewall on a Windows Server 2019 system can be necessary for various administrative tasks, but it comes with inherent security risks. The methods outlined in this article provide you with different approaches to stopping the firewall, ensuring that you can select the one that best fits your operational style.

With this knowledge, it’s essential to maintain a security-first mindset, employing alternative measures to protect your server. Always remember to reactivate the firewall service once your tasks are completed to maintain the security integrity of your Windows Server environment. As with all aspects of server management, continuous monitoring and adherence to best practices will safeguard your digital assets against unauthorized access and cyber threats.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in my posts on this site are mine & mine alone & don’t necessarily reflect the views of Microsoft. All posts are provided “AS IS” with no warranties & confers no rights. If I post any code, scripts or demos, they are provided for the purpose of illustration & are not intended to be used in a production environment. They are provided ‘as is’ without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. I grant you a nonexclusive, royalty-free right to use & modify my sample code & to reproduce & distribute the object code form of the sample code, provided that you agree: (i) to not use my name, my companies name, logo, or trademarks to market your software product in which the sample code is embedded; (ii) to include a valid copyright notice on your software product in which the sample code is embedded; and (iii) to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend me, Microsoft & our suppliers from & against any claims or lawsuits, including attorneys’ fees, that arise or result from the use or distribution of the sample code.

Updated: N/A

Published: Aug 30, 2020

Applies to:

• Windows 10, version 2004 (20H1)
• Windows 10, version 1909 (19H2, build 18363)
• Windows 10, version 1903 (19H1, build 18362)
• Windows Server 2019
• Windows 10 Enterprise 2019 LTSC
• Windows 10, version 1809 (Redstone 5, RS5, build 17763)
• Windows 10, version 1803 (Redstone 4, RS4, build 17134)
• Windows 10, version 1709 (Redstone 3, RS3, Fall Creators update, build 16299)
• Windows 10, version 1703 (Redstone 2, RS2, Creators update, build 15063)
• Windows Server 2016
• Windows 10, version 1607 (Redstone 1, RS1, Anniversary update, build 14393)
• Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSC
• Windows 10, version 1511
• Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSC (formerly LTSB)
• Windows 10, version 1507
• Windows Server 2012 R2
• Windows 8.1
• Windows Server 2012
• Windows 8
• Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
• Windows 7 SP1
• Windows Server 2008 SP2
• Windows Vista SP2

One of the common things that I used to see during a deployment of Windows and Windows Servers, there used to be this item that I would see 99.999% of the times, which was to disable the “Windows Defender Firewall” service.

You may go, the “Windows Defender Firewall” service?  Yeap, it used to be called the “Windows Firewall” service.

Disabling the Windows Defender Firewall service is not supported.  If you call into Microsoft Customer Service and Support (CSS) support, you might be asked to re-enable the “Windows Defender Firewall” service to be able to continue troubleshooting your network related issues.

The table below shows if you are able to stop the “Windows Defender Firewall” service when running as a Local Admin.

You have bigger problems than being able to stop the Windows Defender Firewall service if your end-users are running as a Local Admin. Please see my previous blog post:

Stop hurting yourself: Find the domain users with Local Admin rights with MTP’s or MDATP’s Advanced Hunting, and Enterprises lower your security exposure. [Part 1 of 2]

How can you keep a track of the “Windows Firewall service” being stopped?

5025(S): The Windows Firewall Service has been stopped.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/auditing/event-5025

What are the types of issues that you could run into:

• The Windows and Windows Server will not respond to pings.
• “Request timed out.”
• You will be unable to connect to the Windows and Windows Server via Remote Desktop client. If the service is stopped within a RDP session, the session will disconnect and will fail to reconnect.
• If you try enabling “Remote Desktop”, you might get the following error:
• “The Windows Firewall service is not running
• Windows cannot automatically enable or disable Remote Desktop because the Windows Firewall service is not running.”
• You will be unable to connect to file shares (or mapped drive) on the Windows or Windows Server, you might get the following error:
• “Check the spelling of the name.  Otherwise, there might be a problem with your network.  To try to identify and resolve network problems, click Diagnose.”
• If the Windows Server is a Domain Controller (DC), Active Directory replication with other DCs will fail.
• If the Windows Server is a DNS server, it will not respond to queries.
• If the Windows Server is a DHCP server, DHCP clients on the network will not be able to lease or renew IP addresses.
• Even if you are running a 3rd party host firewall, that product might require for the “Windows Defender Firewall” policy to be running in order for it to operate properly.

What about the following document:

Windows Firewall — Guidance on disabling system services on Windows Server 2016 with Desktop Experience
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/security/windows-services/security-guidelines-for-disabling-system-services-in-windows-server#windows-firewall

Картинка с сайта: yongrhee.wordpress.com

Recommendation No guidance

// This tells me that the doc needs updating.

To-renable the “Windows Defender Firewall” service”:

1)  Find what Domain Level GPO that you might have in place that is disabling the “Windows Defender Firewall” service.

Start, CMD (Run as admin)

gpresult.exe /h c:\gpresult_output.html

One of the symptoms:

Windows Defender Firewall settings are greyed out.

Check:

“Computer Configuration” –> “Policies” –> “Windows Settings” –> “Security Settings” –> “System Services” –> “Windows Firewall”

Make sure that the “Define this policy settings’” is not set to “Disabled”.

or

2) Find the Local Group Policy (either MEMCM (formerly known as SCCM) or LGPO)

Start, CMD (Run as admin)

GPEdit.msc

One of the symptoms:

Windows Defender Firewall settings are greyed out.

3)

Turn Microsoft Defender Firewall on or off
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4028544/windows-10-turn-microsoft-defender-firewall-on-or-off

4)  If in a workgroup, try re-enabling using:

Automatically diagnose and fix problems with Windows Firewall
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17613/automatically-diagnose-and-fix-problems-with-windows-firewall

Once you have the “Windows Defender Firewall” service up and running, now it’s time to set the logging to help your:

• IT team to investigate app compat issues.

Recently a customer engaged me to investigate a custom application that they developed.  They initially thought the issue was due to the security products (MDATP (EDR) or 3rd party AV) which is a common set of item(s) to rule out.
We narrowed it down to their Cisco VPN setup blocking ipv6 addresses.  Thus, they went thru enabling ipv4 preference over ipv6 which previously documented here:

Stop hurting yourself by: Disabling IPv6, why do you really do it?
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/yongrhee/stop-hurting-yourself-by-disabling-ipv6-why-do-you-really-do-it-2

TIP:  It’s a lot easier to read the Windows Defender Firewall log than a Netmon 3.4 or Wireshark packet trace.

• Security team research anomalies.

Investigating an issue on one or more Windows or Windows Servers, to follow the breadcrumbs.

Setup Windows Defender Firewall logging

1A) Domain

Start, CMD (Run as admin)

GPMC.msc

Right-click on “Group Policy Objects”

Click on New

Under new “New GPO”

Under “Name:”

Click on OK

Right-click on the newly created

Click on “Edit”

Click on “Computer Configuration” –> “Policies” –> “Windows Settings” –> “Security Settings” –> “Windows Firewall with Advanced Security” –> Right-click on “Windows Firewall with Advanced Security”

Click on Properties

Reference:

Group Policy Management of Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-firewall/open-the-group-policy-management-console-to-windows-firewall-with-advanced-security

1B) Locally

Start, CMD (Run as admin)

WF.msc

Right-click on “Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security on Local Computer”.

Click on Properties

Reference:

Open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-firewall/open-windows-firewall-with-advanced-security

2) Set the WD Firewall logging

Domain Profile tab.

Logging Customize…

Size limit 20,480

Log dropped packets: Yes

Log successful connection: Yes

Private Profile tab.

Logging Customize…

Size limit 20,480

Log dropped packets: Yes

Log successful connection: Yes

Profile Profile tab.

Logging Customize…

Size limit 20,480

Log dropped packets: Yes

Log successful connection: Yes

Click on Apply

Click on OK

References:

Configure the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security Log
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-firewall/configure-the-windows-firewall-log

Configure the Windows Firewall Log
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-R2-and-2012/jj717291(v=ws.11)

In a future blog post, I will go over the Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) auditing and how it can help you further implement the Windows Defender Firewall in order to add to your layer of security posture.

Thanks,

Yong

Twitter:  @YongRheeMSFT

Tweets by YongRheeMSFT

P.S.

Disabling Windows Firewall (using the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security APIs.)
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ics/c-disabling-windows-firewall

Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security Administration with Windows PowerShell
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-firewall/windows-firewall-with-advanced-security-administration-with-windows-powershell

P.P.S.  Other blog posts in the “Stop hurting yourself by” series.

Stop hurting yourself: Disabling built-in Windows services and features
https://yongrhee.wordpress.com/2020/04/07/stop-hurting-yourself-disabling-built-in-windows-services-and-features/

Stop hurting yourself: Adding antivirus exclusions? Are you opening too many holes in your defense? [Part 1 of 2]
https://yongrhee.wordpress.com/2020/05/30/stop-hurting-yourself-adding-antivirus-exclusions-are-you-opening-too-many-holes-in-your-defense-part-1-of-2/

Stop hurting yourself: Adding antivirus exclusions? Are you opening too many holes in your defense? Using the correct system env variables[Part 2 of 2]
https://yongrhee.wordpress.com/2020/06/07/stop-hurting-yourself-adding-antivirus-exclusions-are-you-opening-too-many-holes-in-your-defense-using-the-correct-system-env-variablespart-2-of-2/

Stop hurting yourself: Find the domain users with Local Admin rights with MTP’s or MDATP’s Advanced Hunting, and Enterprises lower your security exposure. [Part 1 of 2]
https://yongrhee.wordpress.com/2020/03/21/stop-hurting-yourself-find-the-domain-users-with-local-admin-rights-with-mtps-or-mdatps-advanced-hunting-and-enterprises-lower-your-security-exposure-part-1-of-2/

Stop hurting yourself: Find the domain users with Local Admin rights with MTP’s or MDATP’s Advanced Hunting, and Enterprises lower your security exposure. [Part 2 of 2]
https://yongrhee.wordpress.com/2020/03/21/stop-hurting-yourself-find-the-domain-users-with-local-admin-rights-with-mtps-or-mdatps-advanced-hunting-and-enterprises-lower-your-security-exposure-part-2-of-2/

Stop hurting yourself by: Not updating the drivers and firmware in Windows and Windows Server.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/yongrhee/stop-hurting-yourself-by-not-updating-the-drivers-and-firmwares-in-windows-and-windows-server

Stop hurting yourself by: Not applying the non-security updates for Windows and Windows Server.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/yongrhee/stop-hurting-yourself-by-not-applying-the-non-security-updates-for-windows-and-windows-server

Stop hurting yourself by: Disabling IPv6, why do you really do it?
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/yongrhee/stop-hurting-yourself-by-disabling-ipv6-why-do-you-really-do-it-2

Stop hurting yourself by: Setting the Account lockout to 3
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/yongrhee/stop-hurting-yourself-by-setting-the-account-lockout-to-3

WMI: Stop hurting yourself by using “for /f %%s in (‘dir /s /b *.mof *.mfl’) do mofcomp %%s”
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/yongrhee/wmi-stop-hurting-yourself-by-using-for-f-s-in-dir-s-b-mof-mfl-do-mofcomp-s

Windows Firewall is enabled and runs by default on computers running Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008. You can choose to turn it off for various reasons but it is not recommended as the firewall protects your computer allowing malicious content and from unauthorized users accessing your system via network.

Note: You will have to run the command via admin elevated command prompt if needed

Using following command you can check the status of your windows firewall

C:\WINDOWS\system32> Netsh Advfirewall show allprofiles

Following is the output

Domain Profile Settings:
———————————————————————-
State                                 ON
Firewall Policy                       BlockInbound,AllowOutbound
LocalFirewallRules                    N/A (GPO-store only)
LocalConSecRules                      N/A (GPO-store only)
InboundUserNotification               Enable
RemoteManagement                      Disable
UnicastResponseToMulticast            Enable

Logging:
LogAllowedConnections                 Disable
LogDroppedConnections                 Disable
FileName                              %systemroot%\system32\LogFiles\Firewall\pfirewall.log
MaxFileSize                           4096

Public Profile Settings:
———————————————————————-
State                                 ON
Firewall Policy                       BlockInbound,AllowOutbound
LocalFirewallRules                    N/A (GPO-store only)
LocalConSecRules                      N/A (GPO-store only)
InboundUserNotification               Enable
RemoteManagement                      Disable
UnicastResponseToMulticast            Enable

Logging:
LogAllowedConnections                 Disable
LogDroppedConnections                 Disable
FileName                              %systemroot%\system32\LogFiles\Firewall\pfirewall.log
MaxFileSize                           4096

Ok.

#####################################################################################################

To disable the firewall, you can run the following command

C:\WINDOWS\system32> NetSh Advfirewall set allprofiles state off

You will be prompted with «Ok» to confirm that the firewall has been disabled.

To enable the firewall, you can run the following command

C:\WINDOWS\system32> NetSh Advfirewall set allprofiles state on

Hope you find the above information useful. If you like this article, kindly upvote.