Many users are interested in enabling or disabling Windows Firewall for various reasons. Some users want to use a different firewall, and some may have turned them off by accident. To continue, select your Windows version from the list below and follow the instructions.

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Windows 8 and 10

Tip: Microsoft Windows 8 and 10 both come with a built-in default firewall utility, although it can be disabled by default. Below are steps that can be followed to enable or disable this feature in these versions of Windows. If you are looking for information about disabling a firewall other than Windows, see our page disabling a Windows Firewall installed on a computer.

Turn on the firewall (Windows Firewall) Win 8/10

Note: Only one firewall should be enabled at a time. If you have an antivirus or other security program installed using its firewall, make sure it is turned off first.

  1. Open Control Panel
  2. Click System and Security
  3. Click the Windows Firewall.
  4. If the Windows Firewall is disabled, the Windows Firewall state will be Off. To enable this feature, in the left navigation pane, click Turn Windows Firewall on or off.
  5. In the Customize Settings window, select Turn on Windows Firewall and click OK.

Turn off Windows 8 or 10 firewall (Windows Firewall)

Note: Unless you are troubleshooting or plan to install another firewall, you should not turn off Windows Firewall.

Tip: If you disable the firewall because a program cannot access your computer or the Internet, try allowing it first through the firewall.

  1. Open the Control Pane
  2. Click the Windows Firewall.
  3. If Windows Firewall is enabled, the Windows Firewall state will be On. To disable, in the left navigation pane, click Turn Windows Firewall on or off.
  4. In the Customize Settings window, select Turn-off Windows Firewall and click OK.

Enable and disable the firewall in Windows Vista and Windows 7

Tip: Microsoft Windows Vista and 7 come pre-installed with a firewall utility, although it can be disabled by default. Below are steps that can be followed to enable or disable this feature in Windows. If you are looking for information about disabling another firewall, see the steps for disabling the firewall program installed on a computer.

Turn on the Windows Vista and Windows 7 firewall.

Note: Only one software firewall should be enabled at a time. If you have an antivirus or other security program installed using its firewall, make sure it is turned off first.

  1. Click Start, and in the Search text box, type Windows Firewall and press Enter.
  2. In the search results, click Windows Firewall.
  3. If Windows Firewall is turned off, the Windows Firewall state will be turned off. If it’s turned 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.

Turn off Windows Vista and Windows 7 firewall.

Note: Unless you are troubleshooting or plan to install another firewall, you should not turn off Windows Firewall.

Tip: If you disable the firewall because a program cannot access your computer or the Internet, try allowing it first through the firewall.

  1. Click Start, and in the Search text box, type windows firewall and press Enter.
  2. In the search results, click Windows Firewall.
  3. If Windows Firewall is enabled, the Windows Firewall state will be enabled. To disable, click on Change settings or Turn Windows Firewall on or off in the left column.
  4. In the Firewall Settings window, select Off and click OK.

Enable and disable the firewall in Windows XP

Tip: Although Microsoft Windows XP comes with a built-in firewall utility. By default, this feature is not enabled. Below are steps that can be followed to enable or disable this feature in Windows XP. If you are looking for information about disabling a firewall other than Windows, see the steps to disable the firewall program installed on a computer.

Enable the Windows XP firewall

Note: Only one software firewall should be enabled at a time. If you have an antivirus or other security program installed using its firewall, make sure it is turned off first.

  1. Open the Control Pane
  2. Open Network Connections.
  3. In the Network Connections window, right-click on Local Area Connection and select properties.
  4. In the Local Area Connection Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
  5. Finally, let’s check out,   From the option Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet.

Disable the Windows XP firewall

Note: Unless you are troubleshooting or plan to install another firewall, you should not turn off Windows Firewall.

  1. Open the Control Pane
  2. Open Network Connections.
  3. In the Network Connections window, right-click Local Area Connection and choose Properties.
  4. In the Local Area Connection Properties window, click Advanced.
  5. Finally, uncheck Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet.

If you are trying to turn off the Windows XP firewall, but this option is deselected, another developer’s firewall program may be installed on the computer.