How to Manually Block a Program With Windows Firewall With Vista

by C. Taylor
Windows Vista's Firewall offers greater control through its advanced features.

Windows Vista's Firewall offers greater control through its advanced features.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images News/Getty Images

According to Microsoft, when Windows Vista's Firewall is on, then "most programs are blocked." However, "most" may not be good enough for you. If the firewall is allowing a program to communicate through the firewall without your consent, or if you have previously created an "allow" rule, then the program will appear the advanced settings of the Firewall. From these advanced settings, you can manually block the program.

Step 1

Click the Windows Vista "Start" orb, and type "firewall" in the lower search box.

Step 2

Click "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security."

Step 3

Click "Inbound Rules" on the left-hand panel of the "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security" window. Locate the program in the middle list. Right-click the program and select "Properties."

Step 4

Click the circle next to "Block the connections" on the "General" tab, and click "OK" to set the rule.

Step 5

Click "Outbound Rules" on the left-hand panel. Right-click the program in the middle list, and select "Properties."

Step 6

Click the circle next to "Block the connection" on the "General" tab, and click "OK" to set the rule.

Tip

  • There may be multiple occurrences of the program in the "Inbound Rules" or "Outbound Rules" lists, so repeat the procedure for each occurrence to insure the program is blocked.

About the Author

C. Taylor has been a professional writer since 2009. He has written for online publications and the "Journal of Asian Martial Arts." Taylor specializes in martial arts, traveling, sciences and computer repair. He received a Master of Science in wildlife biology from Clemson University and a Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences from the College of Charleston.

Photo Credits

  • Spencer Platt/Getty Images News/Getty Images