Is built-in Firewall included in Defender or vice versa or independent

clsven · 27 Jan 2022

Is the Windows 10 built-in Firewall included in MS Defender
or conversely MS Defender a part of Win10 Firewall?

Or are both independent?

That would mean if I disable Defender then the Firewall would continue to run.

Is there a way to disable FROM COMMAND LINE (command prompt or Powershell)
to disable (only) Firewall?
All current rules should be kept and activated again when I later re-enable Firewall.

MaloK · 27 Jan 2022

Hi,

In admin cmd prompt
To Turn Off:

Code:

NetSh Advfirewall set allprofiles state off

To Turn On:

Code:

NetSh Advfirewall set allprofiles state on

To check the status of Windows Firewall:

Code:

Netsh Advfirewall show allprofiles

TairikuOkami · 27 Jan 2022

clsven said:

Or are both independent?

Yes. MS had just added Defender name to the firewall to brand it as one security and to compete with others.
Avira includes a firewall now too, it is also Windows Firewall. It makes the security software looks complete.

clsven said:

That would mean if I disable Defender then the Firewall would continue to run.

Yes.

zebal · 28 Jan 2022

@clsven
Windows firewall is a separate compoent and has nothing to do with Defender anti virus.

What is confusing is Windows security app, which is neither windows defender anti virus nor windows firewall, instead it's an app that only manages then both and reports on both.

disabling\enabling windows defender does not affect windows firewall and conversely.

Compumind · 28 Jan 2022

Just one thing to add -

If you install another AV/FW like Norton, Windows Defender and Firewall will be disabled.

FWIW