How to enable or disable the Microsoft 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 below and follow the instructions.

Windows 11

Disabling the Windows 11 firewall

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

3. In the next Windows Security window, click Domain network, Private network, or Public network, depending on which firewall profile you want to disable.

4. Under the Microsoft Defender Firewall heading, click the toggle to the Off position.

5. To turn off Windows Defender Firewall for all three network profiles, repeat steps 3 and 4 above for each network profile.

Enabling the Windows 11 firewall

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

3. 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.

7. To turn on Windows Defender Firewall for all three network profiles, repeat step 3 above for each network profile.

Windows 8 and 10

Disabling the Windows 8 or 10 firewall

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

4. In the left navigation menu, click Windows Security.

5. Under Protection areas, click Firewall & network protection.

6. In the Windows Security window, click Domain network, Private network, or Public network, depending on which firewall profile you want to disable.

7. Under the Microsoft Defender Firewall heading, click the toggle to the Off position.

8. 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

1. Click Start or go to the Windows Start Screen.
2. Type Settings and press Enter or click the gear icon.
3. In the Settings window, click the Update & Security option.
4. In the left navigation menu, click Windows Security.
5. Under Protection areas, click Firewall & network protection.
6. In the 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.

7. To turn on Windows Defender Firewall for all three network profiles, repeat step 6 above for each network profile.

Enable and disable the firewall in Windows Vista and Windows 7

Disabling the Windows Vista and Windows 7 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 will 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

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 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

Disabling the Windows XP firewall

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, uncheck the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet option.

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

Enabling the Windows XP firewall

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, check the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet option.