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
Press the Windows key, type “Windows security”, and then press Enter.
In the Windows Security window, click the Firewall & network protection option on the left or right side.
Windows 11
Disabling in Windows 11
Enabling in Windows 11
Windows 8 and 10
Disabling in Windows 8 and 10
Enabling in Windows 8 and 10
Windows Vista and Windows 7
Disabling in Windows Vista and 7
Enabling in Windows Vista and 7
Windows XP
Disabling in Windows XP
Enabling in Windows XP
Disabling in Windows 11
Enabling in Windows 11
Disabling in Windows 8 and 10
Enabling in Windows 8 and 10
Disabling in Windows Vista and 7
Enabling in Windows Vista and 7
Disabling in Windows XP
Enabling in Windows XP
If you’re looking to disable a firewall other than the one that comes with Windows, see: How to disable the firewall program installed on my computer.
Unless you are troubleshooting an issue or plan to install another firewall, we recommend you don’t disable the Windows Firewall.
If you’re disabling the firewall because a program can’t access the Internet, see: How to allow a program or game through the Windows Firewall.
In the next Windows Security window, click Domain network, Private network, or Public network, depending on which firewall profile you want to disable.
Under the Microsoft Defender Firewall heading, click the toggle to the Off position.
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
Only 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 first.
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.
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
- Click Start or go to the Windows Start Screen.
- Type Settings and press Enter or click the gear icon.
- In the Settings window, click the Update & Security option.
Unless you are troubleshooting an issue or plan to install another firewall, we recommend you not disable the Windows Firewall.
In the left navigation menu, click Windows Security.
Under Protection areas, click Firewall & network protection.
In the Windows Security window, click Domain network, Private network, or Public network, depending on which firewall profile you want to disable.
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
Click Start or go to the Windows Start Screen.
Type Settings and press Enter or click the gear icon.
In the Settings window, click the Update & Security option.
In the left navigation menu, click Windows Security.
Under Protection areas, click Firewall & network protection.
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.
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
- Click Start, and in the Search for Programs and Files text box, type firewall, and press Enter.
- In the search results, click Windows Firewall.
- 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.
- In the Firewall Settings window, select Off and click OK.
Enabling the Windows Vista and Windows 7 firewall
- Click Start, and in the Search for Programs and Files text box, type firewall, and press Enter.
- In the search results, click Windows Firewall.
- 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.
- In the Firewall Settings window, select On and click OK.
Enable and disable the firewall in Windows XP
Disabling the Windows XP firewall
- Open the Control Panel
- Open Network Connections.
- In the Network Connections window, right-click the Local Area Connection and select Properties.
- In the Local Area Connection Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
- 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.
Microsoft Windows Vista and 7 are pre-installed with a firewall utility, although it may be disabled by default. Below are steps that can be followed to enable or disable the firewall in Windows. If you’re looking to disable a different firewall, see: How to disable the firewall program installed on my computer.
Unless you are troubleshooting an issue or plan on installing another firewall, we recommend you don’t disable your Windows Firewall.
Although Microsoft Windows XP comes with a pre-installed firewall utility, this feature is not enabled by default. Below are steps that can be followed to enable or disable this feature in Windows XP. For information about disabling a firewall other than that which comes with Windows, see: How to disable the firewall program installed on my computer.
Enabling the Windows XP firewall
- Open the Control Panel
- Open Network Connections.
- In the Network Connections window, right-click the Local Area Connection and select properties.
- In the Local Area Connection Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
- Finally, check the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet option.
Related information
- How to disable the firewall program installed on my computer.
- See the firewall definition for further and related links.
- Microsoft Windows help and support.
