Windows Firewall - Turn On or Off

How to Turn Windows Firewall On or Off in Windows 7 and Windows 8​

   Information

Windows Firewall can help prevent hackers or malicious software from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or network.

This tutorial will show you how to turn Windows Firewall on or off for each type of network location (ex: Private or Public) that you use in Windows 7 and Windows 8.

EXAMPLE: Windows Firewall On and Off
NOTE: Notice that there is a option for Windows Firewall to be on or off with Private networks and Public networks. If you have Inactive showing on a network location, this means that you do not have a network connection for that type of network location. Active means that you do.




Here's How:
1. Open the Control Panel (Icons View) in Windows 7 and Windows 8.

2. Click/tap on the Windows Firewall icon.

3. Click/tap on the Turn Windows Firewall on or off link in the left pane. (See screenshot below)

OPTION ONE

Home or Work (Private) Network Location Settings

4. To Turn On Windows Firewall
A) Select (dot) Turn on Windows Firewall. (See screenshot below step 5)

B) If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.

C) Change the Windows Firewall notifications settings you want. (See screenshot below step 5)

D) Go to OPTION TWO below.
5. To Turn Off Windows Firewall
A) Select (dot) Turn off Windows Firewall. (See screenshot below)

B) If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.

C) Go to OPTION TWO below.

OPTION TWO

Public Network Location Settings

6. To Turn On Windows Firewall
A) Select (dot) Turn on Windows Firewall. (See screenshot below step 7)

B) If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.

C) Change the Windows Firewall notifications settings you want. (See screenshot below step 7)

D) Go to step 8below.
7. To Turn Off Windows Firewall
A) Select (dot) Turn off Windows Firewall. (See screenshot below)

B) If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.

C) Go to step 8 below.




8. Click/tap on OK. (See screenshot above)

9. Close the Windows Firewall window when done. (See screenshot below step 3)

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Create a "Turn Windows Firewall On or Off" Shortcut
• How to Change Windows Firewall Notification Settings in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Restore Default Windows Firewall Settings in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Add or Remove a Windows Firewall Exception in Windows 7
• How to Create a Windows Firewall Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to Backup and Restore All Windows Firewall Settings

 

[bmb]

Thanks for Tutorial Brink
I installed Kaspersky Internet Security and when i installed KIS automatically disabled Windows firewall but in Control panel nowhere shows i have firewall (Vista Shows if any other Firewall or Anti virus / antispyware installed in system).
Your first screen shot both is green but my one is RED.
Any advice...........

 

[Brink]

Hello Bmb, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Kaspersky has a firewall included in it, so when you installed it, it disabled the Windows Firewall since you should only have one firewall installed and running at one time. That is why this is red for you. Nothing to worry about since you have Kaspersky firewall installed.

Shawn

 

[bmb]

Thanks Brink for your help but just wonder i mentioned in my previous post in Vista it showed everything what Firewall Anti virus Spyware installed in System Security Control panel if in Windows 7 u can check that way ......( I know myself what i installed and its not big issue but just for curiosity)

 

[Brink]

You're welcome bmb. I miss them being listed on Security Center as well for quick reference.

 

[juiby]

a

whenever i try to turn it off the tab that say "Turn windows fir wall on or off" cannot be click and i know for a fact im the administrator cuz im the only account on the computer??

 

[Brink]

Hello Juiby, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Could you post a screenshot of this?

In the mean time, go ahead and run a sfc /scannow command to see if that may be able to help.

 

[Tanuki]

I have the same problem with juiby. I need to turn off Windows Firewall in order to download video files from my company's website but the option to do so is not clickable. I also log in as an Administrator. I'm attaching the screenshot so please help me with this.

 

[Brink]

Hello Tanuki, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Did you have that screenshot?

 

[Tanuki]

Thank you, Brink. I thought I attached the screeshot. Now that I'm going to do it again, I don't know how to. Please let me know. Thank you so much.

 

[Brink]

Sure thing Tanuki. The link below can help show you how to. Just click on it.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-how-post-screenshot-seven-forums.html

 

[cristy73]

Hi Brink,
It's not the first when I found the answer for my trouble with Wds 7 in this forum so ... here I am...
I'm glad to be around and I'm glad to know you'll be around too.
Thanks

 

[Brink]

Hello Cristy, and welcome to Seven Forums. Thank you for the kind words.

 

[sweetxdevil]

Hey, I can't turn off my firewall for some reason because I can't click on the option to turn it off.. Here's the screenshot.

 

[Brink]

Hello Sweetxdevil, and welcome to Seven Forums.

From you screenshot, it appears that Windows Firewall has already been disabled or turned off by McAffee Personal Firewall that you currently have installed and using instead.

 

[sweetxdevil]

Is there a way to turn off my McAfee firewall ? Because whenever I open the McAfee security center, it tells me that my license expired and I need to renew it, and I can't seem to turn off the firewall.

I'm using another anti-virus besides McAfee..

 

[Brink]

You would need to uninstall McAfee in Programs and Features first, then you should be able to turn on Windows Firewall if it has not already automatically done so afterwards.

 

[sweetxdevil]

Thanks a ton Brink! You're really helpful.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome.

 

[nalbe]

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\MpsSvc]
"Start"=dword:00000004

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\MpsSvc]
"Start"=dword:00000004