Windows Firewall blocks most programs right out of the box by default to help protect your computer from intrusion. In some instances, you may have to open a communication channel through Window Firewall in order for some programs to communicate with external resources. This brief tutorial is going to show you how to do that in Windows 8.

If you’re having trouble allowing other computers to communicate with your machine, you may have to find out what port and protocol should be allowed through the firewall for the machines to communicate.

To get started, press the Windows Key + X on your keyboard to show Windows 8 Tool Menu. When it opens, select ‘Control Panel’ from the list.

 

windows8_firewall

 

Next, select the System and Security group from Control Panel. Or you can use the search box to search for firewall

 

windows8_firewall_1

Then click ‘Windows Firewall’ or use the shortcut and select ‘Allow an app through Windows Firewall’.

 

windows8_firewall_2

 

Next, click ‘Change setting’. When prompted for the administrator password, type it to continue. Then, select the box next to the program you want to allow through the firewall. Don’t forget the network on which the program is running (Private or Public) or select both.

 

windows8_firewall_3

 

If the program is not on the list of available apps, click the ‘Allow another app..; button to search for it. This can also apply to custom programs which communicate on different ports.

 

windows8_firewall_4

 

When you find the custom app or program, select it and click the ‘Add’ button. If the app communicates on a custom port, you will have to open that port though Windows Firewall as well.  To open custom post through Windows Firewall, go back to Firewall from Control Panel and select ‘Advanced settings’

 

windows8_firewall_5

 

Next, right-click the Inbound and/or Outbound rules to create a custom rule. If the app will be communicating in both directions, you will need to create two rules on both directions.

 

windows8_firewall_6

 

Next, choose the rule option to continue.

 

windows8_firewall_7

 

Then specify the port # the app will communicate on and the protocol. If you’re not sure of the protocol, create one for both protocols.

 

windows8_firewall_8

 

Finally, follow through the wizard and click ‘Finish’

 

windows8_firewall_9

 

Enjoy!