How to enable or disable the Microsoft Windows Firewall

Updated: 12/05/2021 by Estimator Hope

Windows firewall

Many users are interested in either enabling or disabling their Windows Firewall for various reasons. Some users want to utilize a different firewall, and some may have turned theirs off by accident. To proceed, 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 issue or plan to install some other firewall, we recommend you don't disable the Windows Firewall.

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

Windows 11 Windows Security firewall option

  1. In the side by side Windows Security window, click Domain network, Private network, or Public network, depending on which firewall profile you lot 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 3 and iv in a higher place for each network profile.

Enabling the Windows 11 firewall

Caution

Merely one software firewall should be enabled at a fourth dimension. If you have an antivirus or other security program installed with its firewall, brand certain information technology is disabled outset.

  1. Printing the Windows key, type "Windows security", and then press 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 Turn on 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 3 to a higher place for each network profile.

Windows 8 and 10

Disabling the Windows 8 or 10 firewall

Circumspection

Unless you are troubleshooting an issue or programme to install another firewall, we recommend you not disable the Windows Firewall.

  1. Click Start 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 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 vii above for each network profile.

Enabling the Windows 8 or x firewall

Caution

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

  1. Click Commencement or go to the Windows Beginning Screen.
  2. Type Settings and press Enter or click the gear Settings icon icon.
  3. In the Settings window, click the Update & Security pick.
  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 Turn on push for the Domain network, Individual network, or Public network, depending on which firewall profile y'all desire to enable.

Select network profile to turn on Windows firewall

  1. To turn on Windows Defender Firewall for all 3 network profiles, echo step 6 above for each network profile.

Enable and disable the firewall in Windows Vista and Windows 7

Tip

Microsoft Windows Vista and vii are pre-installed with a firewall utility, although it may exist disabled by default. Below are steps that can be followed to enable or disable the firewall in Windows. If y'all're looking to disable a different firewall, meet: How do I disable the firewall plan installed on my computer?

Disabling the Windows Vista and Windows 7 firewall

Circumspection

Unless you are troubleshooting an upshot 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, type firewall, and press Enter.
  2. In the search results, click Windows Firewall.
  3. If the Windows Firewall is enabled, the Windows Firewall state volition be "on." To plow 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

Simply one 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 outset.

  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 disabled, the Windows Firewall state will be off. If it is off, click Change settings or Plough 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 past default. Below are steps that can exist followed to enable or disable this feature in Windows XP. For information about disabling a firewall other than that which comes with Windows, come across: How practice I disable the firewall program installed on my calculator?

Disabling the Windows XP firewall

Caution

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

  1. Open up the Command Console
  2. Open up Network Connections.
  3. In the Network Connections window, correct-click the Local Area Connection and select Properties.
  4. In the Local Expanse Connectedness Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
  5. Finally, uncheck the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing admission to this figurer from the Internet choice.

If y'all're attempting to disable the Windows XP firewall, but this selection is already unchecked, another developer's firewall program may exist installed on the calculator.

Enabling the Windows XP firewall

Circumspection

Only 1 software firewall should be enabled at a time. If you have an antivirus or other security plan installed with its firewall, brand 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 Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
  5. Finally, cheque the Protect my computer and network past limiting or preventing access to this reckoner from the Internet option.