How to Turn on or Off Windows Firewall in Windows 10

Isabella Shinn

Updated: January 11, 2024

Windows Firewall is also called Windows Defender Firewall, it helps prevent hackers or malicious software from gaining access to your PC through the Internet or a network. In order to install or activate some application successfully, you may need to temporarily disable the Windows firewall. This guide will show you 2 ways to turn on or off Windows Firewall protection on Windows 10 PC.

• Option 1: via Windows Defender Security Center app
• Option 2: via Control Panel

Turn on or off Windows Firewall in Windows Defender Security Center

To turn on or off Windows Defender Antivirus in Windows Defender Security Center app. Here is how:

Step 1: Open Windows Defender Security Center app.

You can quickly open it by clicking the shield icon in the taskbar.

Step 2: Click/tap on Firewall & network protection tile on the left menu bar. Choose a network profile under Windows Firewall.

Step 3: Toggle the Windows Firewall switch to On or Off for what you want to set.

Turn Windows Firewall On or Off in Control Panel

It's easy to turn Windows Firewall On or Off in Control Panel, here's how:

Step 1: Go to Start, then type in firewall, then press Enter.

Step 2: Click/tap on the Turn Windows Firewall on or off link on the left side.

Step 3: Select Turn on or off Windows Firewall for each network profile.