Opening Ports/Firewall Rules
Learn how to open additional ports on your Windows server.
Last updated
Learn how to open additional ports on your Windows server.
Last updated
Click here to watch our video tutorial on opening firewall ports!
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.
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 40125 and 40126.
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, and Public should also be selected. Click Next.
Give this rule a Name and Description relative to the application. Click Finish.
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, and Public should also be selected. Click Next.
Give this rule a Name and Description relative to the application. Click Finish.
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 40125 and 40126.
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, and Public should also be selected. Click Next.
Give this rule a Name and Description relative to the application. Click Finish.
