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Opening Ports/Firewall Rules

Learn how to open additional ports on your Windows server.

Video Tutorial

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.
Rule Type
  • 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.
Port Type and Ports
  • 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.

Inbound Program Rules (EXE)

  • Right-click on Inbound Rules.
Rule Type
  • 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.
Browse for the program you want to allow inbound connections to
  • 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.

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.
Rule Type
  • 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.
Port Type and Port
  • 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.