Windows Firewall Configuration#

Many of the programming tools used in FRC® 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#

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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 Start -> Settings

Setting gear icon under the start menu.

Click Update & Security

Click the "Update & Security" category.

In the right pane, select Open Windows Security

Click the "Open Windows Security" button at the top of the right pane.

In the left pane, select Firewall and network protection

Left pane option on the Security at a glance page.

Click on each of the highlighted options

Click on the three highlighted options: Domain network, Private network, and Public Network.

Then click on the On toggle to turn it off.

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 Start -> Settings

The settings gear icon in the start menu.

Click Update & Security

Update & Security category.

In the right pane, select Open Windows Security

Choose "Open Windows Security"

In the left pane, select Firewall and network protection

Choose "Firewall & Network protection" in the left pane.

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

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 Change settings button in the top right before changing the settings. If the program is not in the list at all, click the Allow another program… button and browse to the location of the program to add it.

Modify the list presented using the checkboxes to the right of each item.