Turn off Firewall

This wikiHow teaches you how to disable your computer's firewall. Keep in mind that doing so places your computer at increased risk of contracting malware.

Steps

Windows 7 through 10

1. Open the Start menu. To do this, you'll either click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen, or you'll press the ⊞ Win key on your computer's keyboard.
2. Type firewall into Start. Since Start opens with your cursor in the search bar by default, doing so will search your computer for the firewall program.
3. Click Template:MacButton. It's an image of a brick wall with a globe behind it; you'll see this option at the top of the Start menu's search window.
4. Click Template:MacButton. This link is on the left side of the page.
5. Check the "Turn off Windows Firewall (not recommended)" option. You can do this for both the "Private" and the "Public" network settings categories.
   • You may first have to confirm that you wish to perform this action by clicking OK or Yes on a pop-up window.
6. Click Template:MacButton. It's at the bottom of the page. Doing so will disable your computer's firewall.

Windows Vista

1. Open the Start menu. You can do so by either clicking the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen or pressing the ⊞ Win key.
2. Click Template:MacButton. You'll likely find this option on the right side of the Start window, though you may first need to click All Programs.
3. Click Template:MacButton. This option resembles a multicolored shield; it's on the left side of the window.
4. Click Template:MacButton. It's in the top-left corner of the page.
5. Click the "Turn Windows Firewall on or off" link. You'll see this option in the top-left corner of the page.
   • You may be prompted to enter your Administrator password here.
6. Click the "Off (not recommended)" box. It's toward the bottom of the page.
7. Click Template:MacButton. This will disable your Windows Vista computer's firewall.

Windows XP

1. Click Template:MacButton. It's in the bottom-left corner of the screen. Doing so will open the Start menu.
   • You may first have to hover your mouse cursor over this corner to prompt the button to appear.
   • You can also press your computer's ⊞ Win key to open the Start menu.
2. Click Template:MacButton. This option is on the right side of the Start pop-up window.
3. Enter firewall.cpl in the "Run" text field. This command opens the firewall settings directly.
4. Click Template:MacButton. Doing so will run the above command and open your firewall's settings.
5. Click the "Off (not recommended)" box. It's toward the bottom of the page.
   • If you don't see this option, first click the General tab at the top of the page.
6. Click Template:MacButton. This will save your changes and disable your computer's firewall.

Mac OS

1. Open the Apple menu. It's the apple-shaped icon that's in the top-left corner of your Mac's screen.
2. Click Template:MacButton. You'll see this option near the bottom of the drop-down menu.
3. Click Template:MacButton. This option is in the top row of icons in the System Preferences window.
   • On older versions of Mac OS, this option will instead be Security & Privacy.
4. Click Template:MacButton. It's a tab at the top of the "Security" window.
5. Click the lock icon. This icon is in the bottom-left corner of the window.
6. Enter your administrator password. Doing so will allow you to make changes to this menu.
7. Click Template:MacButton. This button is in the middle of the page.
   • If you see Turn On Firewall here, your Mac's firewall is already off.
8. Click the lock icon again. Doing this will save and password-protect your changes.

Tips

• Only disable your firewall if you are doing something with which the firewall interferes, such sharing files from your computer. Turn the firewall back on when you are finished with these tasks so your computer remains protected.
• If you've disabled your firewall but are still experiencing trouble sharing files or getting a certain program to work, you may need to disable any antivirus software you have as well, since these programs often have their own firewall programs. Doing so can be risky since you're already not using a firewall.
• Use an anti-virus program to scan your computer at least weekly if you leave your firewall turned off on a regular basis. Your computer is more at risk from viruses without an active firewall, so you should use your anti-virus program frequently to remove any threats that may have infiltrated your computer.

Warnings

• Disabling your firewall can significantly increase the risk of intruding software or users being able to access your information.

Related Articles

• Turn off Mac Firewall
• Turn on Firewall for Mac
• Protect Your Computer With a Firewall
• Shut off Windows Firewall
• Turn on Windows Firewall

Sources and Citations

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• Check Computer Specifications
• Restart a Computer
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