How to Verify and Manage Windows Firewall Settings

Step by step

1. 30 sec

   Open the Windows Security dashboard

   Press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the Start menu. Type 'Windows Security' and press Enter to launch the management console.

   Note: Ensure you are logged in with an administrator account to modify these settings.
2. 30 sec

   Access Firewall & network protection

   Select the 'Firewall & network protection' tab from the main dashboard menu. This view displays the status of your Domain, Private, and Public network profiles.

3. 1 min

   Review individual network profiles

   Click on each network type to verify its current state. Confirm the switch under 'Microsoft Defender Firewall' is set to 'On' for each profile to ensure active protection.

4. 1 min

   Manage application traffic

   Within the Firewall & network protection menu, click the 'Allow an app through firewall' link. This opens the Control Panel interface for specific executable permissions.

   Note: Click 'Change settings' to enable modifications to the list.
5. 2 min

   Launch Advanced Settings for granular control

   Select 'Advanced settings' at the bottom of the Firewall & network protection page. This opens the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security snap-in for managing inbound and outbound rules.

   Note: Use this interface for port forwarding and specific IP address filtering.