How to Block a Program From the Internet in Windows 10

May 26, 2020 / By

Most of the time you’ll want all your Apps to be able to use the Internet. However, there are times when you may need to block a program from being able to access the Internet. This guide will take you step-by-step through the process of creating a Windows Firewall Rule to block a specific program (whichever you want) from being able to access the Internet in Windows 10.

  1. Start out by clicking the Windows 10 Search button and then type the word firewall. One of the search results will be Windows Defender Firewall – select that one.

    2. windows start menu with firewall as the search term

  2. You’ll be presented with the main Windows Defender Firewall screen.

    3. the Windows 10 Firewall main window
    click to enlarge

  3. From the column on the left side of the window, click the Advanced Settings link.

    4. list of options for the Windows 10 Firewall control panel

  4. Now you’ll be presented with the Advanced section of the Windows 10 Firewall.

    5. advanced section of the Windows 10 Firewall control panel window
    click to enlarge

  5. Select the Outbound Rules item from the left-most column.

    6. outbound rules highlighted in the advanced section of the Windows 10 Firewall

  6. Finally you’ll be presented with the Advanced Outbound Rules section.

    7. Advanced Outbound Rules section of the Windows 10 Firewall
    click to enlarge

  7. This time we’re going to look in the column on the right side of the screen, titled Outbound Rules. From this section, select New Rule…

    8. create a new Rule in the Outbound Rules section of the Windows 10 Firewall

  8. When asked which type of connection you want to block, select Program and then click the Next > button.

    9. the first screen in the Windows 10 Firewall add an outbound rule wizard

  9. Since you only want to block one program (not them all) – click the Browse… button next to This program path:. NOTE: you can of course block more than one program by creating multiple rules.

    10. the second screen in the Windows 10 Firewall add an outbound rule wizard

  10. Click through the folders on your PC until you find the Application you want to block from accessing the Internet. If you’re having trouble locating it, it’s probably in the C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86) folder, likely in a sub-folder with either the program name or company name as a part of the folder name itself. When you’ve found it, select it by clicking on it once, and then click the Open button.

    11. locating a program to block from the Internet using the Windows 10 Firewall
    click to enlarge

  11. Click the Next > button to continue.

    12. the third screen in the Windows 10 Firewall outbound rules wizard

  12. Select Block the connection and then click the Next > button.

    13. the fourth screen in the Windows 10 Firewall outbound rules wizard

  13. Make sure that all three items (Domain, Private and Public) have “check marks” next to them, and then click the Next > button.

    14. the fifth screen in the Windows 10 Firewall outbound rules wizard

  14. Give your newly created “rule” a name and quick description, and finally, click the Finish button.

    15. the last screen in the Windows 10 Firewall outbound rules wizard

  15. You’ll be returned to the Advanced Outbound Windows Firewall Settings section.

    16. the Advanced Outbound Windows Firewall Settings window
    click to enlarge

  16. This time, the column on the right side (Actions) will have your newly created Rule in it!

    17. the list of Rules in the outbound Windows 10 Firewall section

  17. As stated earlier in this tutorial, you can do this for as many programs in Windows 10 as you’d like. You can even use the “Copy” button to create similar rules without having to go through every step again.

Note: if you experience any problems with the rule you just created to block a program from the Internet, see these steps to diagnose and repair any problems.

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69 thoughts on “How to Block a Program From the Internet in Windows 10”

  62. asd

    +20 clicks to block 1 program in Windows 10’s ancient Firewall user interface… bravo Microsoft! I wish there a better way to do this.

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