Network Uptime

You are reading:
Protecting Your Data: A Guide to Windows Firewall

The Windows Firewall Advanced / Default Settings

Windows Firewall includes hundreds of different configuration settings, and the list of exceptions created over time can often be overwhelming! Fortunately, Windows Firewall provides a simple method of reverting everything back to the original configuration. If many different application exceptions are related to programs that no longer reside on your computer, it may be time to hit the "reset" switch!


Advanced / Default Settings / Restore Defaults
The Advanced tab includes a "Restore Defaults" button at the bottom of the window. After pressing this button, a confirmation window will appear:


Pressing the "Yes" button will revert all of the Windows Firewall settings back to their default states. All customized exceptions will be deleted, any advanced firewall settings for Internet Connection Services will be removed, and any other firewall setting will be reconfigured to the default state.


If Windows Firewall contains any important customized exceptions or configurations, make a note of their settings before restoring the default configuration. Once this "Restore Defaults" process has occurred, there's no going back!