Firewall Rule Wizard: Rule Type Page
Updated: January 20, 2009
Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security provides four basic types of firewall rules. By using one of these firewall rule types, you can create exceptions to explicitly allow or explicitly deny a connection through Windows Firewall. The same wizard and property pages are used to create both inbound and outbound rules. The choice you make on this page determines which pages are displayed by the Firewall Rule Wizard.
You can change the settings for any firewall rule after you create it. To make these changes, right-click the firewall rule in the results pane, and then select Properties.
To get to this wizard page
In the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security MMC snap-in, right-click Inbound Rules or Outbound Rules, and then click New Rule.
The Rule Type page is displayed.
Program
Use this type of firewall rule to allow a connection based on the program that is trying to connect. This is an easy way to allow connections for Microsoft Outlook or other programs. It is also useful if you are not sure of the port or other settings required to allow access. You only need to specify the path to the program executable (.exe) file.
By default, the program is allowed to accept connections on any port. To restrict a program rule to allow traffic on specified port numbers only, after you create the rule, use the Protocols and Ports tab to change the rule properties.
Port
Use this type of firewall rule to allow a connection based on the TCP or UDP port number over which the computer is trying to connect. You can specify the protocol (either TCP or UDP) and the local ports. You can specify more than one port number.
By default, any program currently running on the computer can accept network traffic on a port opened with this type of rule. To restrict the open port to a specified program only, after you create the rule, use the Programs and Services tab to change the rule properties.
Predefined
Use this type of firewall rule to allow a connection by selecting one of the programs or services from the list. Most of the well known services and programs available on computers running this version of Windows appear in this list. Network programs that you install typically add their own entries to this list so that you can enable and disable them as a group.
Custom
Use this type of firewall rule to create a firewall rule that you can configure to allow a connection based on criteria not covered by the other types of firewall rules.