
Windows Firewall allows any user with an administrator account to change the list of rules and exceptions applied for apps and desktop programs. How to Customize the Rules for Allowed Apps However, you can easily block access to the network and the Internet for any app, using the instructions in the next section.

Windows Firewall rules and exceptions are automatically created for each app that you install from the Windows Store.

They are automatically given access to the network and the Internet based on the assumption that you are aware of the permissions they require based on the information displayed by the Windows Store. You should note that in Windows 8.x you will never see any Windows Firewall prompts related to apps from the Windows Store. If you are using a standard account without administrator permissions, the programs that do not comply with the Windows Firewall rules and exceptions are automatically blocked, without any prompts being shown. Afterward, you will start to get your hands dirty and edit the list of apps, programs, and features that are allowed to communicate through the Windows Firewall depending on the type of network you are connected to.Īt this step you should note that only administrators can set exceptions in the Windows Firewall. First, you will learn about what the Windows Firewall is, what it does, and how it works. Let’s talk about what you will learn in this lesson. Seriously, it is so good that some commercial vendors have decided to piggyback on it! Over the years, Microsoft has done a great job with it and it is one of the best firewalls you will ever find for Windows operating systems. Prior to that, Windows system needed to rely on third-party solutions or dedicated hardware to protect them from network-based attacks. The Windows Firewall made its debut in Windows XP.

