Learn How To Add Firewall Exception For Programs In Windows 7

With the launch of Windows 7, Windows Firewall has become more powerful yet flexible and user-friendly than its previous versions. Many of its shortcomings have been rectified and upgraded with more features, so as to provide the maximum protection for your computer. It helps protect your computer from hackers and other malicious programs.

In Windows 7 Firewall you have the option to customize different settings like the protection and notifications to suit your network profiles, such as Home, Work and Public. In Windows 7 Firewall, there is a list of allowed programs, which can send information to and from your computer through the Windows Firewall. So if you want a particular program to access the internet, simply add that program to this list, so that Firewall does not block it. By giving exceptions to some programs, Windows Firewall lets them freely send and receive data on the computer network. Certain programs like file sharing applications require such exceptions to be set in the Firewall for you to be able to enjoy their complete functionality.

The below mentioned Windows 7 Help guidelines will let you know how to add exceptions in Windows 7 Firewall.

Adding Firewall exception for programs in Windows 7

• Click on the Start button and type firewall into Search box. It will come up with a list of results out of which you need to select Windows Firewall from the Control Panel section of the search result.
• Locate the option Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall which is on the left side of the computer screen and click on it.
• Now go to the top of the screen and click on Change Settings option. If you are prompted to enter your administrative password by the User Account Control service, provide the information.
• Navigate through the list of applications and programs that are currently running on your computer. If you want to add exception to certain programs so that Windows Firewall doesn’t block them, simply mark the checkbox next to each of the programs to include them in the list of allowed programs.
• Also select both Public and Private networks so that an unrestricted communication is established. If you want communication to take place only on trusted networks, select the network option as Private.
• Finally click the OK button to apply the settings on Windows Firewall.

Go through Windows 7 Help menu or visit Windows Support Center to learn more about Windows Firewall and its different configuration settings.