How to Open Port in Windows Firewall: Step-by-Step Guide

Do you need a specific port to be opened? Here is how you can open port in Windows Firewall in quick and easy steps.

For the most part, Windows and installed applications automatically manage the Windows Firewall settings to open ports required for network communication. However, there might be certain applications or services that require manually opening a port in Windows Firewall. These applications and services can be anything like game clients, VPNs, media streaming software, etc.

For instance, let’s say you want to set up a server on your computer for a multiplayer game. Without opening the necessary port in the firewall, other players won’t be able to connect to your server. This can result in a frustrating gaming experience for everyone involved.

Thankfully, learning how to open a port in Windows Firewall is quite easy. All it takes is a few clicks, and you can create an inbound and/or outbound rule to allow a port through Windows Firewall.

So, without further ado, let me show you the steps to open port in Windows Firewall.

Note: You need administrative privileges to create, delete, or edit Windows firewall rules.

How to Open a Port in Windows Firewall

To open a port in Windows Firewall, you need to create an inbound and/or outbound rule. The inbound rule lets traffic into your computer, while the outbound rule lets traffic out from your computer.

You may need to create an inbound rule, an outbound rule, or both depending on your use case. For example, if an application only needs to send traffic through a specific port, you can create an outbound rule only. However, if the application needs to both send and receive data, you need to create both inbound and outbound rules.

To find out the specific requirements for opening a port for your application, check its documentation. Alternatively, create both inbound and outbound rules to open the port in Windows Firewall.

Before making changes, back up the Windows Firewall settings and rules on the safe side.

Open Port for Inbound Traffic:

To open a port in Windows Firewall for inbound traffic, you have to create inbound rules. Here’s how to do it.

1. Open Start by pressing the Windows key.
2. Search and open “Windows Defender Firewall.”
3. Click the “Advanced Settings” link on the left panel.
4. Select the “Inbound Rules” option on the left panel.
5. Click on the “New Rule” option on the right sidebar.
6. In the new window, select the “Port” radio option and click “Next.”
7. Depending on which port you want to open, select “TCP” or “UDP” and click “Next.” In my case, I’m selecting the TCP option.
8. Select the “Specific local ports” option and type the port number you want to open the blank field. Click “Next.”
9. Select “Allow the connection” and click “Next.”
10. Select the network types you want the rule to apply and click “Next.”
11. Give the rule a meaningful name and click “Finish.”
12. You will see the newly configured rule in the Windows Firewall rules window.

That is it. You’ve opened a port in Windows Firewall for inbound traffic. From now on, all applications can use the port to receive connections.

Open Port for Outbound Traffic:

To open a port for outbound traffic, follow the steps listed below.

1. Open Start.
2. Search and open “Windows Defender Firewall.”
3. Click “Advanced Settings.”
4. Select the “Outbound Rules.”
5. Click on the “New Rule” option on the right sidebar.
6. Select the “Port” radio option and click “Next.”
7. Depending on which port you want to open, select “TCP” or “UDP” and click “Next.”
8. Select the “Specific local ports” option and type the port number in the blank field. Click “Next.”
9. Select “Allow the connection” and click “Next.”
10. Select the network types you want the rule to apply and click “Next.”
11. Give a meaningful name and click “Finish.”
12. You will see the newly configured rule in the Windows Firewall rules window.

With that, you’ve opened a port in Windows Firewall for outbound connections. From now on, all applications can use the port to send connections.

Disable or Close Open Port in Windows Firewall

If you no longer need a dedicated rule to open the port in Windows Firewall, you can either disable the rule or delete the rule. Once you do that, the open port will be closed, and Windows Firewall will regulate the traffic to and from the port as configured.

To disable the open port firewall rule, open the Start menu by clicking on the Start icon, search for Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security, and click on it.

Once the advanced firewall settings window is opened, find and right-click on the rule in the rule and select the “Disable Rule” option.

To delete the rule, right-click on the rule and select the “Delete” option.

Once you do that, the rule is disabled/deleted, and the opened port is closed. You can close the firewall settings window.

Wrapping Up

As you can, Windows Firewall makes it easy to open any port you want with just a few clicks. All you need to do is create a new firewall rule, and you are good to go.

Do keep in mind that you’ve opened the port on your local machine. If you are using a router, you might need to configure port forwarding rules depending on the application requirement and configuration. For example, if you are configuring a media streaming application like Kodi or Plex, you might need to configure port forwarding rules in your router.

I hope this simple and easy Windows how-to guide helped you.

If you are stuck or need help, email me, and I will try to help as much as possible.