Windows– Enable/Disable The Microsoft Windows Firewall

A firewall is a program that protects your computer from the outside world. Windows firewall can help prevent hackers or malicious software from gaining access to your computer through the internet or network. Microsoft Windows 7 come pre-installed with a firewall utility, although it may be disabled by default.

To Enable the Windows Firewall and to Allow a Program through the Firewall, follow these steps.

Enable the Windows Firewall

1. Open Control Panel, choose System and Security and click Windows Firewall to open Windows Firewall window.

2. In the Windows Firewall window that appears, check that the Windows Firewall is marked as On. If it isn’t, click the Turn Windows Firewall On or Off linkin the left pane of the window.

3. In the resulting Customize Settings window, select the Turn on Windows Firewall radio button for Home or Work (Private) Network Location Settings and/or Public Network Location Settings and then click OK.

4. Click the Close button to close the Windows Security Center and the Control Panel.

Allow a Program through the Firewall

1. Open Control Panel, choose System and Security and under the windows firewall menu Click Allow a Program through Windows Firewall.

2. In the resulting Allowed Programs dialog box, select the check boxes for the programs you want to allow through the firewall and use the check boxes for Home/Work (Private) and Public to choose which type of network to allow the programs through.

3. Click OK to accept the settings.

4. If you want to remove a program from the Allowed list in future, simply return to this dialog box, click the program in the list, and then click Remove.

Also See: HowTo Create Or Delete User Account In Windows 7