• Home
  • About 404TS
  • Contact

404 Tech Support

Where IT Help is Found

  • Articles
    • Code
    • Entertainment
    • Going Green
    • Hardware, Gadgets, and Products
    • Management
    • Network
    • News
    • Operating Systems
    • Security and Privacy
    • Software
    • System Administration
    • Talking Points
    • Tech Solutions
    • Web
    • Webmaster
  • Reviews
  • Media
    • Infographics
    • Videos
  • Tech Events
  • Tools
    • How do I find my IP address?
    • Browser and plugin tests
  • Get a Technical Consultation
You are here: Home / Articles / Security and Privacy / Windows Firewall Exceptions through Group Policy

Windows Firewall Exceptions through Group Policy

2009-01-09 by Jason

Along with scripting Windows Firewall exceptions, you can also control them through a Group Policy Object. This would give you the broad reach of being able to affect an entire Organizational Unit (OU) without having to add a script or additional code to a login script.

In order to create a firewall exception for an application, Create or Edit a Group Policy Object for an OU. This will open up the Group Policy Object Editor window.

Drill down to:
Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Network -> Network Connection -> Windows Firewall -> Domain Profile

Select the Windows Firewall: Define program exceptions. Right-click and go to Properties.

gpofirewall

This will open the Properties window and explain the syntax to use when configuring the exception. Click the ‘Show…’ button to add your exception.

gpofirewall2

Following that syntax, you’ll want to add something like the following:
%programfiles%Companyprogram.exe:*:enabled:ProgramName

You can use the %programfiles% variable to refer to your Program Files directory. For a list of more useful variables, open a command prompt window and type: set

One other such useful variable is %appdata%, which goes to C:documents and settingsusernameapplication data. Using variables is often better than hard-coding the location.

For this example, we’ll be adding a firewall exception for Real Alternative.

On the Show Contents window, hit the ‘Add…’ button. Then I’ll add the following syntax for the Media Player Classic at this specific location to have a scope of all networks with the name Real Alternative and the exception enabled.
%programfiles%real alternativeMedia Player Classicmplayerc.exe:*:enabled:Real Alternative

gpofirewall3

Hit Ok and close out of your GPO Editor windows. As computers refresh their group policy, this setting will take effect and the firewall exception will be added. Alternatively, if you’re sitting at a machine that needs the group policy to take effect immediately, use the command from the article Group Policy Basics: gpupdate /force

Filed Under: Security and Privacy, Software, System Administration

Trending

  • Crowdsourcing explained
    In Infographics
  • In the wild exploit or Apple forces Oracle’s hand to release Java 7u13 early
    In Operating Systems, Security and Privacy, Software
  • I Bet Your Adobe Flash Is Out of Date – Version 10.3.181.34 Released
    In Security and Privacy, Software

Latest Media Posts

Find Out Where To Download SNES ROMs

Find Out Where To Download SNES ROMs

Multifunctional Video Conversion Tools – Wondershare Video Converter

Multifunctional Video Conversion Tools – Wondershare Video Converter

  • Popular
  • Latest
  • Today Week Month All
  • How to ‘Unblock’ multiple files at a time with PowerShell How to 'Unblock' multiple files at a time with PowerShell
  • Command line to take ownership and change permissions Command line to take ownership and change permissions
  • Increase IIS Private Memory Limit to improve WSUS availability Increase IIS Private Memory Limit to improve WSUS availability
  • SOLVED: “This modification is not allowed because the selection is locked.” SOLVED: "This modification is not allowed because the selection is locked."
  • Read the Event Logs on Windows Server Core Read the Event Logs on Windows Server Core
  • Making Distributed Software Development Work: Strategies and Best Practices for Managing Remote Teams Making Distributed Software Development Work: Strategies and Best Practices for Managing Remote Teams
  • customer contactless payment for drink with mobile phon at cafe counter bar,seller coffee shop accept payment by mobile.new normal lifestyle concept The Latest Innovations In Payment Technology
  • How Digital Technology Brought the Rise of the CMO   How Digital Technology Brought the Rise of the CMO  
  • How to Purchase Cryptocurrencies? How to Purchase Cryptocurrencies?
  • Top 6 necessary aspects to consider when hiring Angular developers Top 6 necessary aspects to consider when hiring Angular developers
Ajax spinner

Elevator Pitch

404 Tech Support documents solutions to IT problems, shares worthwhile software and websites, and reviews hardware, consumer electronics, and technology-related books.

Subscribe to 404TS articles by email.

Recent Posts

  • Making Distributed Software Development Work: Strategies and Best Practices for Managing Remote Teams
  • The Latest Innovations In Payment Technology
  • How Digital Technology Brought the Rise of the CMO  

Search

FTC Disclaimer

404TechSupport is an Amazon.com affiliate; when you click on an Amazon link from 404TS, the site gets a cut of the proceeds from whatever you buy. This site also uses Skimlinks for smart monetization of other affiliate links.
Use of this site requires displaying and viewing ads as they are presented.

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in