Opening Ports/Firewall Rules
Learn how to open additional ports on your Windows server.
Video Tutorial
Click here to watch our video tutorial on opening firewall ports!
Getting Started
To open any port within Windows you need to use the Windows Defender Firewall. To get started gather a list of all TCP + UDP ports and whether they're Inbound or Outbound. Once you've gathered your ports you're going to want to:
Hit your Windows Start Button
Search for "Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security" and click on it.
Inbound Port Rules
Right-click on Inbound Rules.
Click "New Rule".
Click "Port" and select Next.
Depending on what you've gathered for the information you can select TCP or UDP. For this example, we will be opening TCP Port
40125and40126.
We would select TCP for the Port type. We would click "Specific local ports" and enter
40125, 40126. If you are doing just one port you don't need the comma. After entering the required information hit Next.You will want to ensure "Allow the connection" has been selected and then hit Next.
Domain,Private, andPublicshould also be selected. Click Next.Give this rule a Name and Description relative to the application. Click Finish.
Inbound Program Rules (EXE)
Right-click on Inbound Rules.
Click "New Rule".
Click "Program" and select Next.
Click the "Browse..." button, and navigate to the EXE that you would like to allow inbound connections to, then select Next.
In this example, we are allowing the FileZilla Server.exe.
You will want to ensure "Allow the connection" has been selected and then hit Next.
Domain,Private, andPublicshould also be selected. Click Next.Give this rule a Name and Description relative to the application. Click Finish.
Outbound Port Rules
By default Windows Server allows most outbound connections. You rarely need to add a firewall rule in the outbound category...
Right-click on Outbound Rules.
Click "New Rule".
Click "Port" and select Next.
Depending on what you've gathered for the information you can select TCP or UDP. For this example, we will be opening TCP Port
40125and40126.
We would select TCP for the Port type. We would click "Specific local ports" and enter
40125, 40126. If you are doing just one port you don't need the comma. After entering the required information hit Next.You will want to ensure "Allow the connection" has been selected and then hit Next.
Domain,Private, andPublicshould also be selected. Click Next.Give this rule a Name and Description relative to the application. Click Finish.
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