7 Best Ways to Reset Firewall Settings in Windows 11

The firewall in Windows 11 is an important security feature that protects your system from external threats. Sometimes, the settings of the Windows Firewall get messed up, which can cause some applications or networking services to stop working. In such a situation, it becomes necessary to reset the firewall. Let’s know the 7 Best Ways to Reset Firewall Settings in Windows 11, so that you can strengthen your security again.

1. Reset the Firewall with the Windows Security App

Windows Security application is an inbuilt security feature provided by Microsoft that lets you reset firewall settings easily.

Steps:

1. Go to the Start menu and type Windows Security and press Enter.

2. Click on Firewall & Network Protection.

3. Scroll down and click on Restore Firewalls to default.

4. Click on Restore Defaults and then press Yes.

This method is the easiest and has a graphical interface.

2. Reset the Firewall through the Control Panel

If you are used to the old Control Panel interface, then this method may be useful for you.

Steps:

1. Open Control Panel by going to Start.

2. Go to System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.

3. Click on Restore defaults on the left side.

4. Now confirm by clicking on the Restore defaults button.

This process is suitable and intuitive for older Windows users.

3. Reset the Firewall via Command Prompt

This is the fastest and most powerful method for command line users.

Steps:

1. Go to Start and type CMD, then right-click on it and select Run as administrator.

2. Enter the following command:

3. Press Enter.

This command resets the firewall settings to the default for all profiles (Domain, Private, Public).

4. Reset the Firewall using PowerShell

PowerShell is a modern tool that makes system administration easier. Through this, you can get advanced reset options.

Steps:

1. Type PowerShell in Start and select Run as administrator.

2. Run the following command:

“`powershell

(New-Object -ComObject HNetCfg.FwPolicy2).RestoreLocalFirewallDefaults()

“`

3. After a few seconds, the firewall will return to the default settings.

This PowerShell command works through COM objects and is suitable for developers or advanced users.

5. Reset Network from Windows Settings (with Firewall)

This method resets not only the firewall, but also your network settings. This will be useful if you are having a lot of network-related problems.

Steps:

1. Open Settings (Press Win + I).

2. Go to Network & Internet > Advanced network settings.

3. Click Network Reset.

4. Click Reset now and restart the computer.

This process completely resets Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Firewall settings to default.

6. Reset the Firewall using the Group Policy Editor (in Windows 11 Pro)

If you are using Windows 11 Pro, you can control the firewall using the Group Policy Editor.

Steps:

1. Open the Run dialog (Win + R) and type gpedit.msc.

2. Navigate to:

`Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Network > Network Connections > Windows Defender Firewall`

3. Set all policies to Not Configured.

4. Restart the system.

This method is suitable for IT professionals and network admins.

7. Undo settings changed by third-party antivirus

Many times, the third-party antivirus software you use changes the firewall settings.

Solution:

Open your antivirus software.

Go to the Firewall section and choose the option “Restore Defaults” or “Reset Settings”.

If this option is not available, check by temporarily uninstalling the antivirus.

After changing the firewall settings, do not forget to activate Windows Firewall again.

Conclusion

Resetting Firewall Settings in Windows 11 is an extremely necessary procedure, especially when the system is showing issues related to network connectivity, app permissions, or security. Any of the 7 methods above may be suitable for you, depending on how in-depth your technical knowledge is.

We recommend that you double-check and allow all necessary applications after resetting to avoid any interruptions in the future.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question 1: What will happen if you reset the firewall in Windows 11?

Answer: Resetting the firewall will remove all its custom settings and return it to its default state. This will also delete all inbound and outbound rules that you manually added.

Question 2: Will resetting the firewall affect my computer’s security?

Answer: No, on the contrary, a properly reset firewall strengthens your security as it removes unwanted or dangerous permissions.

Question 3: Will resetting the firewall affect my network or internet connection?

Answer: Sometimes, if network-related custom rules are removed, there may be problems with internet access. But you can reset them or manually allow the required apps.

Question 4: Can I reset the firewall settings of just one network profile (such as Private or Public)?

Answer: No, a command like `netsh advfirewall reset` resets the settings of all network profiles at once. You will need to adjust each profile manually.

Question 5: Do I need to re-allow all applications after resetting the firewall?

Answer: Yes, all applications that use internet access or networking will need to be re-allowed, such as Zoom, Chrome, Games, etc.

Question 6: Will resetting the firewall remove viruses or malware?

Answer: No, a firewall only controls network traffic. If your system has a virus, you should use antivirus software.

Question 7: Is Group Policy Editor available in Windows Home edition?

Answer: No, `gpedit.msc` is not available by default in Windows 11 Home edition. It is only available in Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, etc. editions.

Question 8: What is the safest way to reset the firewall?

Answer: The safest way is to reset from the Windows Security app or the Control Panel, as these are Microsoft-authorized and GUI-based methods.

Q9: What settings should be reconfigured after resetting the firewall?

Answer: You should allow the required applications, re-add inbound/outbound rules, and reset any port forwarding or custom rules if they were there.

Q10: Can a firewall reset be undone?

Answer: No, once you reset, you cannot undo the old settings. So it is a good idea to take a screenshot or backup of the required settings before resetting.