Windows firewall is a built-in security feature to protect the system from unwanted or unethical access through a local network or communication via the internet. In both cases, you have additional security to check all incoming connections and let them filter as per recommendations. Especially, when you have third-party software installed on your computer.
The time as per development by Microsoft in windows, its firewall names change as desired from windows firewall to windows security essentials and then windows defender. But at each update, the prime focus is the security of the windows system.
Why Should You Disable Firewall in Windows:
Although, it is recommended not to turn off the windows firewall. But in some cases, it may become necessary to disable this security feature temporarily to allow the required functions.
Usually, the following reasons may be adopted for it:
- To allow downloads and installation of certain software that may cause conflicts.
- To do some specific administrative tasks need to perform.
- To filter some installed apps.
5 Ways to disable Firewall in Windows Easily:
In order to turn off windows’ Firewall, it is necessary first to find the firewall settings on windows accurately. So followings are the most authentic ways to disable and hence enable settings as per need. The methods will cover old and new versions of Microsoft Windows, if you find anyone unfamiliar then you can try others to do your task.
The purpose of all methods is the same.
1-Disable Windows Firewall Using The Control Panel:
This method is especially helpful for windows 11,10 and earlier versions, so follow the steps:
- Press the Windows key from your keyboard and search for the control panel.
- Open the control panel > Go to System and Security and click on the windows firewall option.
- On the left side, click on ” Turn Windows Defender firewall on or off”.
- Under customize, settings of each option, check ” Turn off Windows Defender Firewall”.
- Press ok and apply settings.
2-Deactivate Windows Firewall Using Windows Security:
It is the most common method to deactivate the windows firewall, so check the steps below:
- Press the Windows key from your keyboard > search for windows security and click open.
- On the left side, go for the ” Firewall & Network Protection” settings.
- Select a Private network or Public network. We will select the Public network (for reference)
- Toggle off the Microsoft Defender Firewall option. In the prompt click yes. Similarly, you can toggle it on again to turn on the windows firewall.
3-Turn Off the Windows Firewall Using the Command Prompt:
This method needs some special attention and is a little tricky but is applicable to every version of windows.
- Press the windows key, search for the command prompt, and click to run as administrator.
- Type or copy/paste the following command in the command prompt and hit enter.
netsh advfirewall set allprofile state off
- This will quickly turn off the windows firewall for all network profiles.
- You can also turn on the firewall using simple command:
netsh advfirewall set allprofile state on
you can also turn off or on the firewall protection for some specific networks only. ( Public or Private or both)
4-Switch Off Windows Firewall Using PowerShell:
This method is just similar to the command prompt but simple to follow:
- Press the Windows key from the keyboard, search for ” Windows Powershell” and “Run as Administrator”
- Type or Copy/Paste the following command and hit enter.
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain, Public, Private -Enabled False
- Windows Firewall will be switched off.
you switch it on by simply replacing the “False” with “True”
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain, Public, Private -Enabled True
5-Turn Off Windows Firewall Using The Registry Editor:
Although, this method is not so simple, but is equally applicable to turning off the firewall. So just follow the steps:
- Press the Windows key, go for ” Registry Editor” and ” Run as administrator”.
- In the top bar, just copy/paste the following address to quickly access.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall\StandardProfile
- Under the “Standard Profile” folder, right-click> Select New and choose DWORD (32-bit) Value.
In some cases the address may vary, so try the following address/path also, if the above is not working:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Policy Manager
- Type “EnableFirewall” in the name field.
- Double-click the new value, type 0 in the value data box, and hit Ok.
- Reboot the system to apply the settings.
Final Words:
You can also disable the firewall using the group policy editor. Since Windows Firewall is the native security feature of windows, it is not recommended to always disable it. However, you may disable it as per need or even filter some specific programs from the windows firewall to do your required tasks more comfortably.