Windows 10 and 11 - Using the Built-In Firewall

This document describes how to view the settings for Windows' built-in firewall as well as how to enable and disable the firewall. In Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11, you can customize your firewall settings for the three main network types: public, private, and domain networks.

Windows 11 - Enable and Disable Firewalls

  1. Click the Start button.
  2. Open Settings. 
  3. Click Privacy & security on the left-hand side.
  4. Click Firewall & network protection.
  5. You will then see the status of your domain, private, and public network firewalls.
    • Each firewall will specify whether it is On or Off.
  6. Choose one of the networks.
  7. Under Microsoft Defender Firewall, toggle the switch to set the firewall to On or Off.

On setting for firewall

Windows 10 - Enable and Disable Firewalls

  1. Click Start. 
  2. Type in and select Control Panel.
  3. In the search bar in the upper right-hand corner, type and select Windows Firewall.
    • You should then see the firewall settings for your current network type. Additionally, you may click on the other two network types to view their settings. For more information on the differences between public, private, and domain networks, see How to change the network connection priority in Windows 7.
  4. Select Turns Windows Firewall On or Off in the left-hand navigation panel.

Keywords:
windows firewall enable disable win7 win8 configuring configure win10 7 8 10
Doc ID:
3506
Owned by:
Help Desk KB Team in DoIT Help Desk
Created:
2005-02-23
Updated:
2025-07-30
Sites:
DoIT Help Desk