How to Reset Windows Firewall Settings

The Windows Firewall is essential for protecting your system against unauthorized access and malware. However, sometimes resetting its settings is necessary to resolve network access issues or restore default security configurations. Here’s a detailed guide on how to reset Windows Firewall settings.

Step 1: Open Control Panel

First, open the Control Panel. Here’s how:

  • Click on Start and type “Control Panel” in the search bar.
  • Open the Control Panel application from the search results.

Step 2: Go to Windows Firewall Section

In the Control Panel, find the Windows Firewall section. If you don’t see it immediately, switch the view to Large icons or Small icons in the top-right corner of the window.

Step 3: Open Restore Settings

Next, select the option Restore defaults from the menu on the left. This feature allows you to revert all firewall settings to factory defaults, which can be helpful if errors have been caused by custom firewall rules.

Step 4: Confirm the Reset

After selecting the restore option, you will be asked to confirm the action. Click on Restore defaults to proceed. Note that this will delete all previously added rules and custom settings.

Alternative Method: Using Command Prompt

If you’re unable to access the Control Panel, you can use Command Prompt:

  1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. To do this, click Start, type cmd, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
netsh advfirewall reset

This command will reset all Windows Firewall settings to their defaults.

Things to Keep in Mind After Resetting

After resetting, you’ll need to reconfigure access rules for any applications that require network access. The firewall will block any connections that don’t match the default security rules until you add exceptions.