{"id":289,"date":"2026-02-13T20:07:27","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T20:07:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vm6.co.uk\/blog\/?p=289"},"modified":"2026-02-13T20:07:28","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T20:07:28","slug":"how-to-use-windows-firewall-and-allow-connections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vm6.co.uk\/blog\/2026\/02\/13\/how-to-use-windows-firewall-and-allow-connections\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use Windows Firewall and Allow Connections"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Windows Firewall helps protect your VPS from unauthorized access. In this guide, you\u2019ll learn how to open ports, allow programs, and create inbound rules in Windows Firewall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Windows Firewall?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Windows Firewall (also called Windows Defender Firewall) controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on security rules. By default, it blocks most unsolicited inbound connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Common reasons to allow connections:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Allow RDP (Port 3389)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allow a web server (Port 80 or 443)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allow a custom application<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open a custom port<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Open Windows Firewall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Press\u00a0<strong>Windows Key<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Search for\u00a0<strong>Windows Defender Firewall<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click to open it<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"772\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vm6.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/firewalldefender-1024x772.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-291\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.3264622907654693;width:463px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vm6.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/firewalldefender-1024x772.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.vm6.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/firewalldefender-300x226.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vm6.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/firewalldefender-768x579.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vm6.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/firewalldefender.png 1182w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Method 1: Allow a Specific Program Through Firewall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Open Allowed Apps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click\u00a0<strong>Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click\u00a0<strong>Change Settings<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Allow the Application<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Find the application in the list<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check\u00a0<strong>Private<\/strong>\u00a0and\/or\u00a0<strong>Public<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click\u00a0<strong>OK<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>If the program is not listed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click\u00a0<strong>Allow another app<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Browse and select the program<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"772\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vm6.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/appfirewall-1024x772.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-292\" style=\"width:538px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vm6.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/appfirewall-1024x772.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.vm6.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/appfirewall-300x226.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vm6.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/appfirewall-768x579.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vm6.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/appfirewall.png 1182w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Method 2: Open a Port (Create Inbound Rule)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is required for web servers, game servers, or custom software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Open Advanced Firewall Settings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open\u00a0<strong>Windows Defender Firewall<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click\u00a0<strong>Advanced settings<\/strong>\u00a0(left side)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"689\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vm6.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/advancefirewalled-1024x689.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-293\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.4862324449850712;width:581px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vm6.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/advancefirewalled-1024x689.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.vm6.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/advancefirewalled-300x202.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vm6.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/advancefirewalled-768x516.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vm6.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/advancefirewalled.png 1499w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Create New Inbound Rule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click\u00a0<strong>Inbound Rules<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click\u00a0<strong>New Rule<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Choose Rule Type<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Select\u00a0<strong>Port<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click\u00a0<strong>Next<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 4: Specify Port Number<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Select\u00a0<strong>TCP<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0<strong>UDP<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose\u00a0<strong>Specific local ports<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enter your port number (example: 80, 443, 3389)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click\u00a0<strong>Next<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 5: Allow the Connection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Select\u00a0<strong>Allow the connection<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click\u00a0<strong>Next<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 6: Apply to Profiles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check\u00a0<strong>Domain<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check\u00a0<strong>Private<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check\u00a0<strong>Public<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click\u00a0<strong>Next<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 7: Name the Rule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enter a name (example: \u201cAllow Port 8080\u201d)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click\u00a0<strong>Finish<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Your port is now open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Allow RDP (Port 3389)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most Windows VPS servers already allow RDP. If not:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Create a new inbound rule<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select\u00a0<strong>TCP<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enter port\u00a0<strong>3389<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allow the connection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u26a0 Important:<\/strong>&nbsp;For security, consider restricting RDP access to your IP address only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Block a Port<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To block a port instead:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Create a new inbound rule<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select\u00a0<strong>Port<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enter the port number<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select\u00a0<strong>Block the connection<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Verify Open Ports Using Command Prompt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open Command Prompt as Administrator<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Type:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">netstat -an<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>Look for your port listed as&nbsp;<strong>LISTENING<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Security Best Practices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Only open ports you absolutely need<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Close unused ports immediately<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use strong passwords<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Restrict RDP by IP if possible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regularly review firewall rules<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Issues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Port Still Closed?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check if the application is running<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Verify the correct TCP\/UDP protocol<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confirm your VPS provider does not have an external firewall blocking it<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Connection Refused?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The service may not be listening on that port<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Firewall rule may be misconfigured<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You\u2019re All Set \ud83c\udf89<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You now know how to configure Windows Firewall, allow connections, and open ports on your VPS. If you need help securing your server properly, our support team is here to assist.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Windows Firewall helps protect your VPS from unauthorized access. In this guide, you\u2019ll learn how to open ports, allow programs, and create inbound rules in Windows Firewall. What is Windows&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vm6.co.uk\/blog\/2026\/02\/13\/how-to-use-windows-firewall-and-allow-connections\/\" class=\"read-more\" style=\"color: #fbbf24;\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":294,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mbp_gutenberg_autopost":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[44,2],"tags":[75,49,73,14],"class_list":["post-289","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dedicated-servers","category-vps-hosting","tag-connections","tag-firewall","tag-settings","tag-windows"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Use Windows Firewall and Allow Connections - VM6 Networks<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vm6.co.uk\/blog\/2026\/02\/13\/how-to-use-windows-firewall-and-allow-connections\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Use Windows Firewall and Allow Connections - VM6 Networks\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Windows Firewall helps protect your VPS from unauthorized access. 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