.. include:: <isonum.txt>

# Windows Firewall Configuration

Many of the programming tools used in FRC\ |reg| need network access for various reasons. Depending on the exact configuration, the Windows Firewall may potentially interfere with this access for one or more of these programs.

## Disabling Windows Firewall

.. important:: Disabling your firewall requires administrator privileges to the PC. Additionally note that disabling the firewall is not recommended for computers that connect to the internet.

The easiest solution is to disable the Windows Firewall. Teams should beware that this does make the PC potentially more vulnerable to malware attacks if connecting to the internet.

Click :guilabel:`Start` -> :guilabel:`Settings`

.. image:: images/windows-firewall/select-settings.png
   :alt: Setting gear icon under the start menu.

Click :guilabel:`Update & Security`

.. image:: images/windows-firewall/select-update-security.png
   :alt: Click the "Update & Security" category.

In the right pane, select :guilabel:`Open Windows Security`

.. image:: images/windows-firewall/open-windows-security.png
   :alt: Click the "Open Windows Security" button at the top of the right pane.

In the left pane, select :guilabel:`Firewall and network protection`

.. image:: images/windows-firewall/select-firewall.png
   :alt: Left pane option on the Security at a glance page.

Click on **each** of the highlighted options

.. image:: images/windows-firewall/select-network.png
   :alt: Click on the three highlighted options: Domain network, Private network, and Public Network.

Then click on the **On** toggle to turn it off.

.. image:: images/windows-firewall/disable-firewall-toggle.png
   :alt: The toggle button in the center for each option.

## Whitelisting Apps

Alternatively, you can add exceptions to the Firewall for any FRC programs you are having issues with.

Click :guilabel:`Start` -> :guilabel:`Settings`

.. image:: images/windows-firewall/select-settings.png
   :alt: The settings gear icon in the start menu.

Click :guilabel:`Update & Security`

.. image:: images/windows-firewall/select-update-security.png
   :alt: Update & Security category.

In the right pane, select :guilabel:`Open Windows Security`

.. image:: images/windows-firewall/open-windows-security.png
   :alt: Choose "Open Windows Security"

In the left pane, select :guilabel:`Firewall and network protection`

.. image:: images/windows-firewall/select-firewall.png
   :alt: Choose "Firewall & Network protection" in the left pane.

At the bottom of the window, select :guilabel:`Allow an app through firewall`

.. image:: images/windows-firewall/add-to-firewall.png
   :alt: Choose "Allow an app through firewall" in the center of the screen.

For each FRC program you are having an issue with, make sure that it appears in the list and that it has a check in each of the 3 columns. If you need to change a setting, you made need to click the :guilabel:`Change settings` button in the top right before changing the settings. If the program is not in the list at all, click the :guilabel:`Allow another program...` button and browse to the location of the program to add it.

.. image:: images/windows-firewall/allow-through-firewall.png
   :alt: Modify the list presented using the checkboxes to the right of each item.

