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Windows Firewall is Blocking File Sharing: How to Allow it
Enable sharing or add an exception
2 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
File Sharing is an essential feature for users with multiple PCs in a Homegroup (Workgroup). Once it’s configured, the file exchange should work seamlessly. However, some users reported that Windows 10 Firewall is blocking File Sharing.
Ideally, after enablingFile Sharing, your Windows Defender Firewall should allow the feature to communicate freely. But when problems appear, you need to allow file sharing in Windows Firewall manually. Keep reading to find out how!
How do I stop my firewall from blocking?
1. Enable File and Printer Sharing
The quickest solution when Windows Defender Firewall is blocking file sharing is to enableNetwork DiscoveryandFile and printer sharing.
2. Allow File and Printer Sharing to communicate through Firewall
For those who want to enableFile and Printer sharing over SMBDirect, adding a Windows Firewall exception to allow file and printer sharing should do the trick.
We hope this guide has solved things when Windows Firewall is blocking file sharing.
Before you leave, find out all aboutNetwork Locations in Windowsand how these work.
If you want to share your experience with us or have any suggestions, feel free to contact us by using the comment section below this article.
More about the topics:file sharing,firewall,windows 10 fix
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
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