In this article, we will show you how to prevent a program from accessing the network in a firewall. To do this, log in as an administrator. Keep in mind that blocking a program in a firewall does not prevent it from running on your computer.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: How to block a program
Step 1. Open the Start Menu
Click on the Windows logo in the lower left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Open firewall
Type firewall and then click Windows Firewall at the top of the Start menu.
Step 3. Click Advanced Options
It's a link in the upper left corner of the window.
Step 4. Click on Outbound Rule
This tab is on the left side of the window.
Step 5. Click Create Rule
It's in the upper-right corner of the window. A new window will open to create a firewall rule.
Step 6. Check the box next to "For the program"
You will find this option at the top of the page.
Step 7. Click Next
This button is at the bottom of the window.
Step 8. Select a program
Do this to point to the path of the program:
- check the box next to "Program path" and click "Browse";
- click "This PC" on the left side of the window;
- scroll down and double click on the name of your hard drive (for example, "C:");
- double click on the "Program Files" folder;
if the program you want to block is located in a different folder, navigate to it
- find the program folder and then double-click on it;
- click on the EXE file of the program.
Step 9. Copy the path of the program
Click on the address bar at the top of the window to highlight the path, and then press Ctrl + C to copy it.
This is necessary because Windows will change the path to the file when it opens in the firewall, thereby breaking the rule. To avoid this, manually insert the file path
Step 10. Click Open
It's in the lower-right corner of the window.
Step 11. Replace the path in front of the program name with the copied path
Select the path on the Program Path line up to the last backslash before the application name, and then press Ctrl + V to paste the copied path.
- For example, to block Chrome in "C: \ Program Files \ Google \ Application \ chrome.exe", select everything except "\ chrome.exe" and replace the one with the copied path.
- Do not change the name and extension of the program at the end of the path, otherwise the rule will not work.
Step 12. Click Next three times
It's in the lower-right side of the window. You will be taken to the last page.
Step 13. Enter a name for the rule
Do it on the top line.
For example, if you are blocking Google Chrome, name the rule "Block Chrome"
Step 14. Click Finish
This button is at the bottom of the window. The rule will be saved and will take effect; now the program will not be able to connect to the Internet (until you remove or disable the rule).
Method 2 of 2: How to temporarily disable the program
Step 1. Open the Start Menu
Click on the Windows logo in the lower left corner of the screen or press the ⊞ Win key.
Step 2. Open firewall
Type firewall and then click Windows Firewall at the top of the Start menu.
Step 3. Click Allow a program or component to run through Windows Firewall
You will find this option in the upper left corner of the firewall window.
Step 4. Click Change Settings
You will find this option in the upper right corner of the window (above the list of installed programs).
- In the pop-up window, click Yes.
- You will not be able to change the firewall settings without administrator rights.
Step 5. Find the program you want to block
Programs that are or are not blocked by the firewall will appear in the center of the page. Scroll through the list of programs and find the program you want.
Step 6. Add the program to the list (if necessary)
If the program you want is not in the list, add it:
- click "Allow another program" under the list;
- click "Browse";
- open the program folder and find the program's EXE file in it;
- click on the EXE file;
- click "Open", click on the name of the program, and then click on "Add" if the program is not automatically added.
Step 7. Click on the checkmark to the left of the program
The checkmark will disappear - this means that the program is blocked in Windows Firewall.
- If there is no such checkbox, Windows Firewall is already blocking the program.
- Leave two checkboxes to the right of the program (for the options "Home or work (private)" and "Public").
Step 8. Click on OK
This button is at the bottom of the window. The changes will be saved, and the program will not be able to connect to the Internet.
Advice
- Blocking a program in a firewall prevents malware from entering your system and slowing down your computer's performance.
- If you don't know where the program you want is located, right-click on the program's shortcut and click File Location.