Does Windows 10 have its own firewall?

Microsoft has equipped Windows 10 with comprehensive on-board means against viruses, malware and other malicious software. Among the various security tools is a firewall. Learn where to find the firewall security setting in Windows 10 and check the status of the protection measure.

Windows 10: Protective measures at a glance

To protect your system from malware such as viruses, malware or ransomware, Microsoft has equipped Windows 10 with Windows Defender. An important part of the various protection measures is the Windows Firewall. If you want to check the status of the firewall or adjust the settings, this works conveniently via the Windows Security Settings.

1. Open the Start menu and click on the gear icon at the bottom left to access the settings.
2. Click on "Update and Security" and select "Windows Security" in the navigation on the left.
3. Switch to the category "Firewall & Network Protection". Here you can view the status of the firewall, disable sections, add exceptions or adjust the advanced settings.

Note that for security reasons, you need administration rights to change the settings.

Alternatives to Windows Firewall

Most of the current antivirus programs are also equipped with a firewall. For example, if you install Bitdefender, Kaspersky or Avast on your computer, the Windows firewall is automatically disabled and the firewall of the protection software is used. The settings for the firewall can then no longer be found in the Windows security settings, but via the user interface of the respective software.