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How to Block Apps from Accessing the Internet
Windows

How to Block Apps from Accessing the Internet?

Often it happens that you want your applications online which are connected to the local network and also some greater internet. Therefore there are also times when we want to prevent it from connecting to the internet.

Yet before jumping into the procedure of how to block some of the apps from accessing the internet via the Windows Firewall, let us have a look at why we choose to block it.

Reasons Behind Blocking

From the heading, you might be looking for the process to block some apps in order to cut internet access. There may be some others too who would want to know why people choose to do so.

Here you will get to know the reason behind it. Most of the time you want to have access to your applications but there are times when you do not want it. This is because you encounter certain situations that call for blocking.

Here are some applications that will help you to understand it. You might be comfortable with your child playing a video game online. Yet you might not have that comfort zone with the online multiplayer elements.

Now, this might show up some of the obnoxious ads which you do not want your child to see. Therefore blocking the particular application will help you in cutting off such ads.

Regardless of why you want to block the access of certain apps, Windows Firewall provides you an easy way out in order to do so. Here are the ways to do it.

Procedure: Block Apps from Accessing the Internet via Windows Firewall 

The procedure to block the apps from accessing the internet via windows firewall one has to create a windows firewall rule and proceed further.

Though there will be a demonstration regarding the trick n Windows 10, the premise and basic layout remain unchanged for years. You can therefore easily adapt the tutorial in the earlier versions.

Create a Windows Firewall Rule

In order to create a Windows Firewall Rule, the first step is that you need to open the Windows Firewall along with Advanced Security. For doing so navigate the Control Panel, select Windows Firewall. There, in that window click to the link of Advanced Settings that is there on the left.

In the left navigation lane, click the link Outbound Rules. By doing this you will get to see all the existing Firewall rules that are there in the middle pane.  Do not get surprised as it is overpopulated with dozens of windows generated entries.

Now, in the far right pane, you have to click on New Rule in order to create a new rule. It is for the purpose of outbound traffic.

Next, confirm that the option of the program is selected from the New Outbound Rule Wizard. Then click the button Next.

Select This Program Path option from the Program screen. Now type for the path you want to block. Once you have chosen the path you can choose the Next button. Now, on the screen of the Wizard Action select the option Block the Connection and click Next.

Now, on the profile screen, you are given options to select the applied rules. You get three options here.

  • Domain: when a computer is connected to a domain then this rule is applied.
  • Private: this rule is applied when the computer is connected to some private network like home or workplace’s network.
  • Public: while a computer is connected to a public network like some networks in the coffee shop or something like that then this rule gets applied.

Now accordingly, you can choose and proceed further with your selection by pressing Next.

The final step is that you have to name your rule. Make use of a proper clear name that you can recognize later on. It is your wish whether you can add a full description or not. Click on the button Finish as and when you are done with appropriate information.

Next, you will find a new entry at the top of the list of Outbound Rules. If your aim was to blanket blocking then you are done. However, if you want to adjust or tweak the rule you can double click on it.

Now following these step by step you will be able to block the apps you do not want. If you still want to tighten your grip on the application then you have to select the Inbound Rules Options that are there on the right-hand panel to navigate Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.

Then repeat the process by following the same steps. This will actually recreate almost an identical firewall rule governing the inbound traffic even for that particular application which you have chosen.

In Conclusion

Thus, to conclude, here you got to see how you can block the access of some of the apps that you do not want. Let us know in the comment section below whether these steps were a help to you or not. Also, share how you faced these problems and how far were you successful in dealing with them.