How to open a port with Windows Firewall in Windows 10

If an application or program requires a specific port to be opened, here's how you can use Windows Firewall to open a port in Windows 10.

Note: You need admin rights to create, delete or edit Windows Firewall rules.

Steps to open a port in Windows Firewall

To open a port in Windows 10, you need to create custom rules in Windows Firewall. Follow the steps below to create a rule to open ports with Windows Firewall.

Open ports for Inbound Traffic (traffic generated from the Internet to the server)

1. Open Start by pressing the key Win.

2. Search for and open "Windows Defender Firewall" .

3. Click the "Advanced Settings' link on the left.

4. Select the "Inbound Rules' option on the left.

Select the "Inbound Rules' option

5. In the new window, select the Port option and click Next.

Select the Port option and click Next

6. Depending on which port you want to open, select "TCP" or "UDP" and click Next. In the example case, the author will select the TCP option .

7. Select the Specific local ports option and enter the port number you want to open in the blank field. Click Next.

Select the Specific local ports option

8. Select Allow the connection and click Next.

9. Select the type of network you want to apply the rule to, and click Next.

Select the type of network you want to apply the rule to

10. Give a meaningful name and click Finish.

Name the rule

You should see the new rule configured in the Windows Firewall rules window.

You should see the new rule configured in the Windows Firewall rules window

Open ports for Outbound Traffic (traffic generated from server to Internet)

To open a port for Outbound Traffic, follow the steps listed below.

1. Open Start.

2. Search and open the Windows Defender Firewall .

3. Click Advanced Settings.

4. Select Outbound Rules.

5. Select the Port option and click Next.

6. Depending on which port you want to open, select "TCP" or "UDP" and click Next.

7. Select the Specific local ports option and enter the port number in the blank field. Click Next.

8. Select Allow the connection and click Next.

9. Select the type of network you want to apply the rule to, and click Next.

10. Give a meaningful name and click Finish.

Disable to delete port opening rule in Windows Firewall

If you no longer need a dedicated rule to open a port, you can disable or delete the rule.

To disable the firewall rule from opening the port, right-click the rule in the settings of the Windows Firewall and select the Disable Rule option .

Disable open firewall rules

To delete a rule, right-click on the rule and select the Delete option .

Remove firewall rules that open ports