How to allow a program through the Windows Vista Firewall

by Ross McKillop on June 13, 2007

Security Windows

This brief tutorial will show you how to “allow” a program to access the Internet when the Windows Vista Firewall is enabled (which is by default).

Typically when a program attempts to access the Internet for the first time, you’re presented with a pop-up window asking if you want to allow or block its access (see image below). This isn’t always the case though, so to manually allow a program from accessing the Internet, follow the instructions outlined below.

windows vista firewall
click to enlarge

  1. Click the Start Orb and select Control Panel
  2. windows vista firewall

  3. Select Allow a program through Windows Firewall from the Security section - if it’s available (it’s not always the default choice). If it is available, skip down to step 4. If it’s not, click Security and continue with step 3.
  4. windows vista firewall
    click to enlarge

  5. From the Windows Firewall section, select Allow a program through Windows Firewall.
  6. windows vista firewall
    click to enlarge

  7. When prompted to grant permission, click Continue.
  8. windows vista firewall
    click to enlarge

  9. If it isn’t automatically displayed, select the Exceptions tab. From there, click the Add program… button.
  10. windows vista firewall
    click to enlarge

  11. Select the program you wish to allow access to the Internet. If it’s not listed, click the Browse button and navigate to it. Once it’s selected, click OK.
  12. windows vista firewall
    click to enlarge

  13. Make sure that the program you just added is now listed, and has a check in the box next to it. Click OK and that program will now be able to access the Internet.
  14. windows vista firewall
    click to enlarge

Related Posts:
  • How to resolve Windows Vista Update error 800B0100
  • How to get Windows to stop reminding you to install a Firewall or Anti-Virus program
  • Troubleshooting Remote for the iPhone or iPod Touch
  • How to connect to Windows Vista using Remote Desktop from your Mac
  • How to setup Firestarter - an easy to use Linux firewall
  • Get Simple Help tutorials just like this one in your email inbox every day - for free! Just enter your email address below:

     

    You can always opt out of this email subscription at any time.


    Bookmark and Share

    { 1 trackback }

    CLSID Verification host has stopped working - Microsoft Windows Vista Community Forums - Vistaheads
    10.04.08 at 10:43 am

    { 3 comments… read them below or add one }

    1 Corrine 06.14.07 at 3:05 pm

    Thank you.

    The tutorial has been added to “Windows Vista Bookmarks” as have the other Windows Vista and IE7 screenshot simulations.

    See Windows Vista Help Topics

    I’ll definitely be watching for more!

    2 carlea 07.07.08 at 6:03 pm

    I am trying to allow limewire through the firewall but I have added it and I also added the ports and it still tells me a firewall was detected

    3 Vein 08.09.08 at 6:07 am

    I wanted to do it but Limewire is already on this list! and I cannot use it…..
    Why?

    Leave a Comment

    You can use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>