The Windows Firewall does a job that is relatively adequate and transparent for the end user, but if you want more precise control, Microsoft doesn't take long to disappoint. That's why we're looking at Fort Firewall, a free and open source firewall that unlocks a series of advanced parameters, from group filters to scheduled blocks and bandwidth limits to reduce speed.
Redmond believes that most features in its operating systems should be transparent so as not to get in the user's way, but sometimes they become too transparent, or go to the other extreme with an advanced section that is chaotic to the core. The Windows Firewall is a perfect example: the space dedicated in the "new" settings menu is a mess, while the advanced mode throws you into the MMC (Microsoft Management Console), which can cause several headaches. So why not look for something friendlier? Say, Fort Firewall.
Fort Firewall, a more complete and precise firewall for Windows
The fastest and most effective way to block applications in Fort Firewall is to visit the Programs section. There you'll see the list of everything the firewall has detected, assigning a temporary Alert status. Click Allow or press the A key to allow an application permanently, and a click on Block or the B key will prevent it from accessing the network. However, you can also schedule a condition change by double-clicking on the entry, for example, blocking the application in a couple of hours, or on a future date.
The Options section contains all the basic firewall parameters, including hard blocks for Internet or local traffic, and an option that overrides connectivity if the service stops for any reason. The available documentation indicates that the IP Addresses tab works as a sort of whitelist/blacklist for IP addresses and domains, but I wish it were a bit more intuitive. Finally, Application Groups allows you to configure applications by groups, set time "and" bandwidth limits for individual processes.
Fort Firewall is compatible with Windows from version 7, both 32 and 64 bit. All its general blocking functions in the Programs menu work perfectly, but I've had some issues with Application Groups rules under Windows 11, which for the moment seem to be ignored. Fortunately, its developer publishes updates very frequently, and I recommend keeping an eye on their GitHub profile. Link below.
Official site and download: Click here
