To allow a specific IP address or range to communicate with your Windows computer through the firewall, you need to create a custom rule within the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security settings. This involves specifying the allowed IP address(es) as part of the rule's scope.
Here are the initial steps to begin creating a firewall rule to allow an IP address, based on the provided information:
Steps to Initiate Firewall Rule Creation
Follow these steps to access the console where you can create a new rule to allow specific IP addresses for inbound connections:
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Open Windows Firewall with Advanced Security:
- On the Start menu, click 'Windows Firewall with Advanced Security'. This is the primary administrative tool for configuring advanced firewall rules.
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Access Advanced Settings:
- In the sidebar of the 'Windows Firewall with Advanced Security' window, find and click the 'Advanced settings' option. This action opens the console where you manage detailed firewall rules.
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Navigate to Inbound Rules:
- On the left side of the 'Windows Firewall with Advanced Security' console, click the option 'Inbound Rules'. This section is where you define rules that control traffic attempting to enter your computer.
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Start the New Rule Wizard:
- On the right side of the console, under the section 'Actions', click on the option 'New Rule'. This launches a wizard that guides you through the process of creating a new inbound firewall rule.
| Step | Action | Location | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open 'Windows Firewall with Advanced Security' | Start Menu | Access the main firewall configuration |
| 2 | Click 'Advanced settings' | Left Sidebar | Open the advanced rule management console |
| 3 | Click 'Inbound Rules' | Left Pane | Manage rules for incoming network traffic |
| 4 | Click 'New Rule' | Right Pane (Actions section) | Initiate the rule creation wizard |
These steps will take you to the beginning of the "New Inbound Rule Wizard". To complete the process of allowing a specific IP, you will need to proceed through the wizard, typically selecting 'Custom' rule type, specifying protocols and ports if necessary, choosing 'Allow the connection' as the action, and critically, on the Scope page, adding the specific IP address(es) or subnet(s) you wish to allow under the 'Remote IP addresses' section.
By completing the wizard and specifying the desired IP addresses in the scope, you create a rule that permits connections from those specific sources, overriding general blocking rules for improved security or access control.
