Summary

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista

Windows Firewall with Advanced Security is a stateful, host-based firewall that blocks incoming and outgoing connections based on its configuration. While end-user configuration still takes place through the Windows Firewall tool in Control Panel, advanced configuration of Windows Firewall now takes place in a Microsoft Management Control (MMC) snap-in named Windows Firewall with Advanced Security. Firewall functions are fully integrated with IPsec (Internet Protocol security) protection settings, reducing the possibility of conflict between the two protection mechanisms.

Windows Firewall with Advanced Security also works with Network Location Awareness (NLA) so that it can apply security settings based on the type of network to which a computer connects. Windows Firewall with Advanced Security supports separate profiles for network connections that are domain-joined or connected to a private or public network.