Easy Ways to Block Programs from Accessing the Internet on Windows

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This wikiHow teaches you how to create a new firewall rule on your computer, and block a program’s internet connection, using Windows. A firewall rule will allow you to block all internet access to any program on your computer.

Steps

1. 1Open your Start menu. Click the Start menu icon in the lower-left corner of your screen to open the Start menu.
   • Alternatively, you can click the search or Cortana icon on your taskbar.
2. 2Type “Firewall” on your keyboard. This will search your computer for matching results. Windows Defender Firewall should be the top result.
3. 3Click Windows Defender Firewall in the search results. This will open your firewall settings in a new window.
4. 4Click the Advanced settings option on the left menu. You can find it towards the bottom of the navigation menu on the left-hand side of the window. It will open your advanced security options in a new window.
5. 5Click Outbound rules on the left menu. This option is located near the upper-left corner of the window.
6. 6Click New Rule on the top-right. You can find it under the “Actions” heading on the right-hand side of the window. It will open a new pop-up.
7. 7Select Program on the Rule Type menu. The firewall will prompt you to select what type of rule you want to create. Make sure Program is selected here.
   • Click Next to confirm.
8. 8Click the Browse button under “This program path.” This will open a new File Explorer window, and allow you to select the program you want to block.
9. 9Select the program you want to block. Find and click the program you want to block from accessing the internet, and click Open.
   • Click Next to confirm the program’s file path.
10. 10Select Block the connection on the Action menu. When this option is selected, this program will be completely blocked from the internet.
    • Click Next to confirm your action.
11. 11Make sure all options are checked on the Profile menu. Click and check all three of the Domain, Private, and Public options here to block the program from the internet in all networks.
    • Click Next to confirm and proceed.
12. 12Enter a name for your new firewall rule. Your new internet block will be saved to your firewall as a new rule. Make sure to enter a name you will recognize on your rules list here.
13. 13Click the Finish button. This will save your new firewall rule, and block the selected program from accessing the internet in all networks.Advertisement