Hello! The Firewall performs an essential security task on any version of Windows Server. In fact, it has the mission of preventing connections that could be attackers from accessing the server. In this way it avoids damage or loss of information. Additionally, the firewall allows you to manage the security of your computer by applying access and exit filters. Similarly, the use of rules allows or denies the traffic of information on the computer. However, for some administrative or support tasks it is necessary to deactivate it. Well, in this post we will see how to disable the firewall in Windows Server 2019/2016.
How to disable Windows Server 2019/ 2016 Firewall using PowerShell
A quick and safe way to disable the Windows Server Firewall. To do this from the Start menu, go to PowerShell.
Then run the following command to enable the firewall:
Get-NetFirewallProfile │select name, enabled
Then to disable the Firewall in Windows 10 we will run the following:
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain,Public,Private -Enabled false
The false parameter indicates that the firewall is disabled in private, public and domain environments. Now, to re-enable the firewall on Windows Server, simply run the following command:
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain,Public,Private -Enabled true
How to disable Windows Server 2019/2016 Firewall using GPO
It is also possible to disable the Firewall via GPO. If you want to know more about Group Policy Object, check out our post. With this in mind, from the Server Dashboard tools, enter the group management.
Once the editor is open, expand the domain and right click on Default Domain Policy and then on Edit.
Then follow the next path: Windows Settings>Administrative Templates>Network>Network Connections>Windows Defender Firewall. Next, select Domain Profile and then double-click on: Windows Defender Firewall: Protect all network connections.
A window with the rule values is immediately displayed. Please select the Disabled value to configure the Firewall in this way. Then press OK to set the changes.
Now, please follow this path. Computer Settings>Windows Settings>Security Settings>Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security. On this last value, right click on the mouse and enter the Properties.
Consequently, a window will be displayed with the behavior of the Firewall in the different environments. Please click on the tabs corresponding to the domain profile, public profile and private profile. In each of them you must set the Firewall status to Off. Press OK and restart the system to set the changes.
We will now validate that the Firewall is indeed disabled. To do this, follow the next path. Control Panel>System and Security>Windows Defender Firewall. On the next screen you can see that the firewall is disabled in all environments.
Conclusion
At the end of the day we have seen how to disable the Firewall in Windows Server 2019/2016. Also, we saw two ways to do it. That is, using PowerShell and also GPO. As you can see, it’s a simple and safe process to do. Bye!
