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Block or Unblock Programs in Windows Defender Firewall

Block or Unblock Programs in Windows Defender Firewall

July 28, 2018 by Mitch Bartlett 16 Comments

In Microsoft Windows 10 you can set the Windows Defender Firewall to block or unblock certain applications. Here’s how.

  1. Select the “Start” button, then type “firewall“.
  2. Select the “Windows Defender Firewall” option.
  3. Choose the “Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall” option in the left pane.
  4. Unchecking the box to the left of the application name disallows it from accessing network resources, while checking it allows access. You can also check the boxes to the right of the name labeled “Private” or “Public” to allow and disallow the app on private or public networks respectively.
  5. If the program you wish to block or unblock is not listed, you can click the “Allow another app…” button to add it. Choose the application in the list and select “Add“. If the program is not in this list, use the “Browse…” button to select the program file manually.

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Filed Under: Windows Tagged With: Windows 10

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. IhateM.A says

    August 5, 2022 at 4:24 pm

    I dont like Mohamad A

  2. Susan Olson says

    January 31, 2021 at 3:01 am

    No…I am definitely not a pro…so a little more explanation would be great…say, what about gallery or settings….?

  3. Susan Olon says

    January 31, 2021 at 2:56 am

    Could you give me an example as to what applications should NOT cross the firewall??

  4. Nico says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:37 am

    Any application can block any crack microsoft office .. can you help me how to block any crack microsoft on my laptop ..

  5. Richard Jordan says

    September 26, 2020 at 11:47 am

    The firewall is blocking access to open areas of the United Nations website. Even public press releases. How do I uninstall Micrsoft Edge, if that is what is blocking me.

  6. Leandra says

    August 10, 2020 at 2:51 pm

    So, what’s the meaning of a checked box and an unchecked box?
    I am trying to allow zoom to have access but firewall is blocking it.

  7. zavodopetrovskii says

    April 15, 2020 at 11:44 am

    I’m trying to block Microsoft family features so it won’t send me the annoying pop-ups about signing in.

    I’m on the correct thing but I can’t uncheck the box beside it. If I click the box it does nothing,

  8. Sanjay says

    April 15, 2020 at 5:29 am

    Do we have any registry settings for the same.

  9. Farhan says

    September 25, 2019 at 2:43 am

    Thanks, it worked

  10. Spec says

    April 17, 2019 at 4:49 am

    What if when you click “Allow another app” and then Choose the app in the directory and it gives an error about a possible virus?

  11. Josh Everett says

    February 8, 2019 at 5:31 pm

    Is there any way to do this without Administrator rights?

  12. Mirmal says

    January 28, 2019 at 7:34 am

    Settings for some pro, doesn’t change!
    its somehow locked, as if a registry rule is overriding this windows rules.

  13. Richard S Nye says

    January 19, 2019 at 1:59 pm

    I have been trying for hours to Block “Fortnite” from my PC windows 10

  14. Edwin Wetzel says

    November 24, 2018 at 11:04 pm

    nothing helps. i’ve been trying to hook up my wifi scanner and i’ve been doing this for hours without any success. i’ve followed all the different procedures on line including going into the defender advanced settings and allowing file and printer sharing rules and still does not work.

  15. Daffodil says

    October 17, 2018 at 5:19 pm

    What if you cant click the “Allow the app or feature through windows defender firewall”?

  16. Mike Bading says

    August 7, 2018 at 4:48 pm

    Mitch,
    First, I hope this note finds all well with you and yours.
    Second, thank you for your effort here.
    Third, my question(s):
    What do you do when Windows Defender keeps resetting Microsoft Apps you have unchecked/deselected in Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro?
    Example: Let’s say I wish to block Cortana (or any other app). I then follow your instructions here and uncheck/deselect all the boxes pertaining to Cortana and then close the window.
    Let’s say, that for whatever reason(s), I return to the window in your example only to find that Windows has reset/unblocked Cortana without notice and without my permission. This would happen all the time in Win10Home; and I would like to know if this would happen in Win10Pro and what to do about it if it does.

    Respectfully,
    Mike Bading

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Baby and Daddy My name is Mitch Bartlett. I've been working in technology for over 20 years in a wide range of tech jobs from Tech Support to Software Testing. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful reference for all.

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