Adding Exceptions to the Windows Firewall (2024)

Note: LexisNexis does not accept responsibility for the consequences of the suggested modifications. Consult a qualified technician to complete the suggested changes. Please contact Customer Support if you or your technician has questions or concerns about the information on this page.

Windows Firewall is a stable, host-based firewall for incoming traffic. Unlike router-based firewalls you deploy at the boundary of a private network and the Internet, Windows Firewall acts as a firewall for host-based traffic you assign to an IP address.

Add Port Exceptions to the Windows Firewall
Add Program Exceptions to the Windows Firewall

Add Port Exceptions to the Windows Firewall

Windows 8.1

1. Press Win Key +R to open the Run window.
2. Enter wf.msc in the Open field and click OK.
3. Click Inbound Rules and select New Rule.
4. Select Port and click Next.
5. Select either TCP or UDP.
6. SelectSpecific Local Ports and enter the TCP port number.
   Note: The standard SQL port is 1433. Follow Using the SQL Error Log to Determine the SQL Port.
7. Click Next.
8. Select either Domain, Private, or Public profile.
9. Click Next.
10. Enter a Name and Description of the Rule.
11. Click Finish.

Windows 10

1. Right-click the WindowsStart buttonand select Control Panel.
2. Click Windows Firewall.
3. Click Advanced Settings.
4. Click Inbound Rules, then New Rule.
5. Select Port for the Rule Type, then click Next.
6. Select TCP for Does this rule apply to TCP or UDP.
7. Select Specific local ports, and enter the TCP port to allow, then click Next.
   Note:See Using the SQL Error Log to Determine the SQL Port. The standard SQL port is 1433, but can bedifferent.
8. Ensure Allow the connection is selected, then click Next.
9. Select When to apply the rule (Domain, Private, or Public),then click Next.
10. Enter a Name and optional Description, then click Finish.

Windows 11

1. Left-click the WindowsStart buttonand search forControl Panel.
2. ClickSystem and Security
3. Click Windows Defender Firewall.
4. Click Advanced Settings.
5. Click Inbound Rules, then New Rule.
6. Select Port for the Rule Type, then click Next.
7. Select TCP for Does this rule apply to TCP or UDP.
8. Select Specific local ports, and enter the TCP port to allow, then click Next.
   Note:See Using the SQL Error Log to Determine the SQL Port. The standard SQL port is 1433, but can bedifferent.
9. Ensure Allow the connection is selected, then click Next.
10. Select When to apply the rule (Domain, Private, or Public),then click Next.
11. Enter a Name and optional Description, then click Finish.

Add Program Exceptions to the Windows Firewall

Windows 8.1

1. Press the Windows X keys, then select Control Panel.
2. Click System and Security.
3. Click Windows Firewall.
4. Click Allow a program through Windows Firewall to open the Allow programs to communicate through Windows Firewall screen.
5. Click to check mark the box for the program you want.
   • Note: If the program is missing from the Allowed programs and features: list, click the Allow another program... button and browse to the directory for the program executable file, then click OK. This includes SQLbrowser.exe.
6. Click OK to close the Allow programs to communicate through Windows Firewall screen.

Windows 10

1. Right-click the WindowsStart buttonand select Control Panel.
2. Click Windows Firewall.
3. Click Advanced Settings.
4. Click Inbound Rules, then New Rule.
5. Select Program from the Rule Type window, then click Next. Note: This includes SQLbrowser.exe.
6. Click Browse below This program path to select the program executable file, then click Next.
7. Ensure Allow the connection is selected, then click Next.
8. Select When to apply the rule (Domain, Private, or Public),then click Next.
9. Enter a Name and optional Description, then click Finish.

Windows 11

1. Left-click the WindowsStart buttonand search forControl Panel.
2. ClickSystem and Security
3. Click Windows Defender Firewall.
4. Click Advanced Settings.
5. Click Inbound Rules, then New Rule.
6. Select Program from the Rule Type window, then click Next. Note: This includes SQLbrowser.exe.
7. Click Browse below This program path to select the program executable file, then click Next.
8. Ensure Allow the connection is selected, then click Next.
9. Select When to apply the rule (Domain, Private, or Public),then click Next.
10. Enter a Name and optional Description, then click Finish.

Server 2008 / 2012

1. Click Start and select Control Panel.
2. Click Windows Firewall.
3. Click the Exceptions tab.
4. Click Add Program.
5. Select the program you wish to exclude. Note:This includes SQLbrowser.exe.
6. Click OK.