Windows Firewall - Add or Remove an Exception

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    Windows Firewall - Add or Remove an Exception

    Windows Firewall - Add or Remove an Exception

    How to Add or Remove Windows Firewall Exception in Windows 7 and Windows 8
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    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Add or Remove Windows Firewall Exception in Windows 7 and Windows 8

       Information
    This will show you how to add or remove a program or feature for each type of network location type (ex: Private or Public) to allow the program or feature through Windows Firewall.

       Warning
    When you add a program to the list of allowed programs in a firewall you allow a particular program to send information to or from your computer through the firewall. Allowing a program to communicate through a firewall (sometimes called unblocking) is like opening a tiny door in the firewall.

    Each time you allow a program to communicate through a firewall, your computer becomes a bit less secure. The more allowed programs your firewall has, the more opportunities there are for hackers or malicious software to use one of those openings to spread a worm, access your files, or use your computer to spread malicious software to others.

    To help decrease your security risk:
    • Only allow a program when you really need to, and remove programs from the list of allowed programs that you no longer need.
    • Never allow a program that you do not recognize to communicate through the firewall.




    Here's How:

    1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Windows Firewall icon.

    2. Click/tap on the Allow a program through Windows Firewall link in the left pane. (see screenshot below)
    Windows Firewall - Add or Remove an Exception-windows_firewall.jpg
    3. Click/tap on the Change settings button. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE: If the Change settings button is grayed out, then it has already been clicked on.
    Windows Firewall - Add or Remove an Exception-change_settings.jpg
    4. Do step 5, 6, or 7 below for what you would like to do.

    5. To Allow or Unallow an Existing Exception
    A) On the left side, check the program exception Name box to allow, or uncheck to unallow through Windows Firewall. (see screenshot below)

    B) If you allowed the program exception, then check (allow) or uncheck (unallow) the box for each Private or Public network location you want the program to have access through Windows Firewall. (see screenshot below)
    Windows Firewall - Add or Remove an Exception-allow-1.jpg
    6. To Add a Program Exception
    A) Click on the Allow another program button. (see screenshot below)
    Windows Firewall - Add or Remove an Exception-add_program-1.jpg
    B) If the Program is Listed (see screenshot below step 6D)
    • Click/tap on the program to highlight it.
    • Go to step 6D.
    C) If the Program is Not Listed (see screenshot below step 6D)
    • Click/tap on the Browse button.
    • Navigate to the program's exe file location, usually in a C:\Program Files folder, and click on the program's exe file to select (highlight) it and click on the Open button.
    D) Click/tap on the Add button. (see screenshot below)
    Windows Firewall - Add or Remove an Exception-add_program-2.jpg
    E) Do step 5 to allow to unallow this program exception. (see screenshot below)
    Windows Firewall - Add or Remove an Exception-add_program-3.jpg
    7. To Remove a Program Exception
    A) Click/tap on the program exception name to select (highlight) it and click on the Remove button if not grayed out. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE: Usually you will only be able to remove a program that you have added from step 6.
    Windows Firewall - Add or Remove an Exception-remove-1.jpg
    B) Click/tap on Yes to approve removing the program from the exception list.
    8. When done, click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below either step 5B or 6E)

    9. Close the Windows Firewall window if you like. (see screenshot below step 3)



    That's it,
    Shawn








  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 7
       #1

    Hi,

    I tried to follow up your instructions, but the 'Change Settings' button on the firewall 'allow program' dialog in disabled.

    Any ideas?

    Thank.
    Last edited by Brink; 15 Jun 2010 at 13:06. Reason: removed broken link
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 71,975
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Hello Meirostein, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    This is normal at step 6. You can still make changes by checking or unchecking what you like, then click on OK when done.

    Hope this helps,
    Shawn
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3
    Windows 7
       #3

    Hi Brink,

    And what about adding a port exception. how can I do that?

    Thanks for your help!
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 71,975
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    They removed that option from the default Windows Firewall, and moved it to Windows Firewall with Advanced Security instead.

    1. In the left pane, click Advanced settings. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
    2. In the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security dialog box, in the left pane, click Inbound Rules, and then, in the right pane, click New Rule.
    3. Follow the onscreen instructions in the New Inbound Rule wizard.
    Hope this helps. :)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3
    Windows 7
       #5

    Thanks!
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 71,975
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    You're welcome. :)
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1
    Sony Vaio Laptop
       #7

    Remove Programs from Firewall?


    I have a question? I uninstalled a printer and I want to remove the program from my firewall - I clicked "Change Settings" and when I highlight the particular program I want to remove, the "Remove" button becomes unusable. As I scroll down the list, it will become usable for some and not for others. How do I get rid of these programs from my firewall list?

    Thanks!
    Katie
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 71,975
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Hello Katie, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    For those, about the only thing I know that you can do is to uncheck them from the far left side to not have them filtered with the Firewall anymore. I'll look into seeing if there's a way to remove them from the registry, and will post back if I find a way.

    Hope this helps some,
    Shawn
      My Computer


  9. NoN
    Posts : 4,166
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 - x64 [Non-UEFI Boot]
       #9

    Brink said:
    Hello Katie, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    For those, about the only thing I know that you can do is to uncheck them from the far left side to not have them filtered with the Firewall anymore. I'll look into seeing if there's a way to remove them from the registry, and will post back if I find a way.

    Hope this helps some,
    Shawn
    Hi Katie & Shawn, you can also remove unwanted/uninstalled programs left in the Windows Firewall from what's been quoted earlier.
    Just search the uninstalled program, highlight it then remove with the red "X".

    This way they will be removed from the general Windows Firewall list.:)

    Brink said:
    They removed that option from the default Windows Firewall, and moved it to Windows Firewall with Advanced Security instead.

    1. In the left pane, click Advanced settings. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
    2. In the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security dialog box, in the left pane, click Inbound Rules & Outbound Rules
    3. ...Search for the uninstalled/undesired Program, highlight it then remove it from the list
    Hope this helps.
      My Computer


 
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