How to Backup and Restore Windows Defender Firewall Settings and Rules in Windows 10

information   Information
Starting with Windows 10 build 16193, Windows Firewall has been renamed to Windows Defender Firewall.

Windows Firewall can help prevent hackers or malicious software from gaining access to your PC through the Internet or a network.

You can export (backup) and import (restore) your Windows Firewall settings. These settings will include Windows Firewall on or off for all network locations, notification settings, allowed apps, and Windows Firewall with Advanced Security settings and rules.

Importing (restoring) Windows Firewall settings from a backup will override and replace the current settings on the PC.

This tutorial will show you how to backup and restore Windows Defender Firewall settings and rules in Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to backup and restore Windows Firewall settings.


CONTENTS:
  • Option One: To Backup (export) Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
  • Option Two: To Restore (import) Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
  • Option Three: To Backup (export) Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Command Prompt
  • Option Four: To Restore (import) Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Command Prompt

EXAMPLE: Windows Firewall settings
Backup and Restore Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Windows 10-windows_firewall_customize_settings.jpg
Backup and Restore Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Windows 10-windows_firewall_alllowed_apps.jpg
Backup and Restore Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Windows 10-windows_firewall_with_advanced_security.jpg





OPTION ONE

To Backup (export) Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Windows Firewall with Advanced Security


1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Windows Firewall icon.

2. Click/tap on the Advanced settings link on the left side. (see screenshot below)

Backup and Restore Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Windows 10-backup-restore_windows_firewall_settings-1.png

3. Click/tap on Action (menu bar), and click/tap on Export Policy. (see screenshot below)

Backup and Restore Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Windows 10-backup-restore_windows_firewall_settings-2.jpg

4. Navigate to where you want to export the .wfw file to, type in a name (ex: "WindowsFirewallSettingsBackup") you want for the .wfw file, and click/tap on Save. (see screenshot below)

Backup and Restore Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Windows 10-backup_windows_firewall_settings-3.png

5. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Backup and Restore Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Windows 10-backup_windows_firewall_settings-4.png

6. When finished, you can close the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security window if you like.





OPTION TWO

To Restore (import) Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Windows Firewall with Advanced Security


1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Windows Firewall icon.

2. Click/tap on the Advanced settings link on the left side. (see screenshot below)

Backup and Restore Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Windows 10-backup-restore_windows_firewall_settings-1.png

3. Click/tap on Action (menu bar), and click/tap on Import Policy. (see screenshot below)

Backup and Restore Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Windows 10-backup-restore_windows_firewall_settings-2.jpg

4. Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)

Backup and Restore Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Windows 10-restore_windows_firewall_settings-3.png

5. Navigate to where you saved the exported .wfw file to, select the .wfw file (ex: "WindowsFirewallSettingsBackup"), and click/tap on Open. (see screenshot below)

Backup and Restore Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Windows 10-restore_windows_firewall_settings-4.png

6. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Backup and Restore Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Windows 10-restore_windows_firewall_settings-5.png

7. When finished, you can close the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security window if you like.





OPTION THREE

To Backup (export) Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Command Prompt


Note   Note
To see more usage options for the Netsh AdvFirewall Firewall command, see: Netsh AdvFirewall Firewall Commands - TechNet


1. Open an elevated command prompt.

2. Enter the command below into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshots below)

netsh advfirewall export "%userprofile%\Desktop\WindowsFirewallSettingsBackup.wfw"

Backup and Restore Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Windows 10-export_windows_firewall_settings-command.png

3. You will now have a WindowsFirewallSettingsBackup.wfw file saved to your desktop that is the backup of your Windows Firewall settings. You can move this file to where you like to keep it saved at.

4. When finished, you can close the elevated command prompt if you like.





OPTION FOUR

To Restore (import) Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Command Prompt


Note   Note
To see more usage options for the Netsh AdvFirewall Firewall command, see: Netsh AdvFirewall Firewall Commands - TechNet


1. Open an elevated command prompt.

2. Enter the command below into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshots below)

netsh advfirewall import "Full path of .wfw file"

Note   Note
Substitute Full path of .wfw file in the command above with the actual full path of the exported .wfw file (ex: "WindowsFirewallSettingsBackup").

For example: netsh advfirewall import "C:\Users\Brink\Desktop\WindowsFirewallSettingsBackup.wfw"


Backup and Restore Windows Defender Firewall Settings in Windows 10-import_windows_firewall_settings-command.png

3. When finished, you can close the elevated command prompt if you like.


That's it,
Shawn