In Windows 8.1, Windows 10 and partly also in Windows 7, Microsoft has implemented a double protection system against malware, programs and executable files that attempt to execute malicious code on the system and that try to communicate and send information via the internet. The first is the filter that prevents the execution of exe files downloaded from the internet (Windows 10 and 8 only), the second is the Windows Firewall (also in Windows 7), which prevents unauthorized programs from sending information and data to the external network.
As for the first protection system, we have seen how to change the settings of the smartscreen filter and disable it if you prefer.
In this article, however, we see what to do when the Windows Firewall shows a warning message that says " Windows Firewall has blocked some features of this app ".
When this warning appears, there are two buttons, Allow access or Cancel .
If the blocked program is recognized and trusted, then you can allow access to the network, otherwise you have to cancel and remove that program that was not expected to allow permission to open a communication port to our computer, on the internet.
For example, if the warning appears after running a bittorrent client, you must always grant it, because the program needs to send computer data externally, while if the warning appeared suddenly for an unrecognized program or for a writing software, then there is something strange and it is better to cancel.
What happens when you receive this message is the activation of a Windows Firewall security block that blocks any unauthorized network traffic leaving your computer.
Although these security measures are very important to avoid the theft of personal information on insecure connections, they could become very annoying if the message " Windows Firewall has blocked some features of this app " should appear too many times .
Usually this notification requires the user to allow access to a process or program only on the first run.
If the notifications for that program appear repeatedly, something is wrong and can be caused by a malicious plugin of the program itself or by applications that try to access the network, in the background, without the user's authorization.
If you often get this message then the first thing to do is an antivirus scan, ideally with a powerful and in-depth program like Malwarebytes antimalware which is free.
If there is no malware to worry about and if the message still keeps showing up, you should do a reset of the Windows firewall .
To do this, search for Windows Firewall in the search field of the Start menu and open the control interface.
In Windows 7 you should immediately find, on the left side, the key to restore the Firewall.
In Windows 10, however, on the left side select the first line, the one with Windows Firewall written and then, on the right side, press on the line where it is written Restore default policy .
The same thing, firewall reset, can also be done by opening a dos command prompt (look for cmd in the Start menu) by running the netsh advfirewall reset command.
If you want to have full control of all authorized and blocked connections on your computer, see here how to manage the Windows Firewall easier .
If you want to check which programs and processes are listening on the network and, therefore, have been authorized on the firewall, then you can use the Currports program to see TCP ports connections and internet usage on PC .
