Windows Firewall is an application of Microsoft Windows that filters your system's incoming/outgoing information from the Internet and blocks potentially harmful programs. To communicate through the firewall, users need to add a program to the list of allowed programs. When using a public network, Windows Firewall can also protect the system by blocking all unauthorized attempts to connect to your computer.

This article will explain how to open or close ports in Windows Firewall for TCP access.

Steps to open or close ports

1. Go to the Start menu, click Run, type WF.msc, and then press Enter.

2. In the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security panel, in the left navigation panel, right-click Inbound Rules, and then click on New Rule located in the Action panel.

3. A Rule Type dialog box will appear. Select the port here and then click Next.

4. A Protocols and Ports dialog box will appear. You need to select TCP here. Select specific local ports, and then type the port number you want to open. Click Next.

5. You will see an Action dialog box. You need to select Allow the connection, and then click Next.

6. In the Name dialog box, enter a name and description for this rule. Click Finish.