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Enable Predefined Outbound Rules on Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2

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Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Essential Business Server, Windows SBS 2003, Windows SBS 2008, Windows Server 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista

By default, Windows Firewall with Advanced Security allows all outbound network traffic unless it matches a rule that prohibits the traffic. Windows Firewall with Advanced Security includes many predefined outbound rules that can be used to block network traffic for common networking roles and functions. When you install a new server role on a computer or enable a network feature on a client computer, the installer can install, but typically does not enable, outbound block rules for that role. When deploying firewall rules to the computers on the network, you can take advantage of these predefined rules instead of creating new ones. Doing this helps to ensure consistency and accuracy, because the rules have been thoroughly tested and are ready for use.

Administrative credentials

To complete these procedures, you must be a member of the Domain Administrators group, or otherwise be delegated permissions to modify the GPOs.

To deploy predefined firewall rules that block outbound network traffic for common network functions

  1. Open the Group Policy Management Console to Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.

  2. In the navigation pane, click Outbound Rules.

  3. Click Action, and then click New rule.

  4. On the Rule Type page of the New Inbound Rule Wizard, click Predefined, select the rule category from the list, and then click Next.

  5. On the Predefined Rules page, the list of rules defined in the group is displayed. They are all selected by default. For rules that you do not want to deploy, clear the check boxes next to the rules, and then click Next.

  6. On the Action page, select Block the connection, and then click Finish.

    The selected rules are added to the GPO.

Note

If this GPO is targeted at server computers running Windows Server 2008 that never move, consider modifying the rules to apply to all network location type profiles. This prevents an unexpected change in the applied rules if the network location type changes due to the installation of a new network card or the disconnection of an existing network card’s cable. A disconnected network card is automatically assigned to the Public network location type.

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