Windows Firewall Control (WFC) by BiniSoft.org

Thanks for pointing me to Secure Rules n' Secure Profile Keys.

I'm on 1703 + 5.3.0 and with Secure Rules n' Secure Profile checked > see Error Opening Key.

Curious, will I also see Error Opening Key with Secure Rules n' Secure Profile checked with 1709 + 5.3.0.
And will I also see Error Opening Key as a way to confirm status for Secure Rules n' Secure Profile Keys with 1803 + 5.3.0.

Thanks

 

This is how it is supposed to be. When these settings are checked in WFC, limited permissions are set to these keys, while, when they are unchecked, the default permissions will be restored. No matter what Windows version you use, it will work the same way.

 

Okay, so if I'm unsure of Secure Rules n' Secure Profile status (check'd/not) with 1803 + 5.3.0. I'll check reg keys.

 

That's really dumb, and unfortunate. So since they will always "appear" checked in WFC, what am I looking for in the registry that tells me what the true status is, I basically plan on leaving them unchecked for good and just won't touch them, but I'd like to have a way to make sure they are actually "unchecked" so that when I run store app updates or windows updates it won't cause problems.

EDIT: Okay I see now, when they are checked and active, you get the error message bjm_ pointed out, when unchecked you can access them. so with Windows 1803, you'll just have to check those keys and see if you have access.

 

Remove all firewall rules and use WFC default rules
What will happen?
This may seem simple, but will there be some hidden dangers?

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Let me answer it myself
According to Windows FireWall priority

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/pr...ows-server-2008-R2-and-2008/cc755191(v=ws.10)

The default rule is enforced when the connection does not meet any other rules,
Inbound can be set in the firewall properties (blocked by default) Outbound is manually modified to block

 

If you are unsure, you don't have to go to Windows Registry and check those keys. Just uncheck the check boxes. At this point they are for sure disabled. Check them again and they are for sure enabled.

There is no hidden danger other than having some functionality blocked because of the missing rules.

 

Yeah....when I get to 1803 + 5.3.0. I'll see.

 

v1803 + v5.3.0.0, is it possible to trust messages on hot keys WFC, are they correct?

 

Yes, they are correct. Only the status of them in Security tab is affected.

 

Thank you! Hence, v5.3.0.0 is fully functional on v1803. This worries many users.

 

Thank you! I decided to use it like this and think it is more concise
However, some of the settings in the control panel cannot be used directly due to the dependency on the firewall.
But can be set directly through the firewall

 

I recently started using Panda Dome by Panda Security as security suite which includes firewall. I accidentally deleted the long list of rules that were directing the firewall and I have no idea how to reconfigure it. I believe it essentially doing nothing at the moment. After waiting and waiting for a response from panda (I'm still waiting.)

I have decided just to use the built in Windows Defender Firewall, and am hoping that there will be no conflicts between it and Panda AV as long as Pandas firewall stays off? I quicky learned that navigating Windows firewall is not very user friendly so I'm looking into the WFC GUI to make it easier. I want to b sure what I'm plan will even work before downloading the GUI.

 

Windows Firewall Control v.5.3.1.0

I got the approval to make a quick fix in WFC to solve the problem with the status of Secure Rules and Secure Profile on Windows 10 version 1803. Here it is:

Change log:
- New: Added a confirmation dialog before enabling Secure Rules and Secure Profile, informing the users that they should consult the user manual to understand the effects and the side effects of enabling these features.
- Fixed: The status of Secure Rules and Secure Profile are incorrectly reported in the Security tab in Windows 10 version 1803.

New translation strings:
456 = Before enabling this feature, please consult the user manual to understand the effects and the side effects of doing this. Are you really sure you want to continue?

Download location: https://www.binisoft.org/download/wfc5setup.exe
SHA1: 503e06a1e263b5d89c26f4896c2c44851b21bc71
SHA256: 17e84c83e7a7f47d667a9208cbbca5abef7ca203f10700a3f2dc8074e266e1a5

Thank you all for keeping WFC alive,
Alexandru

P.S.: WFC is not abandoned. It will receive fixes for critical bugs but new features will not be implemented anymore in WFC. New features will be part of the new product on which I will start working from July.

 

Very cool that they gave you approval for a quick fix.

That "confirmation dialog" is that a one time thing, this will get annoying if you switch often, does it pop up with the hotkey?

 

I would like to thank YOU for keeping WFC alive. Good to know that your brilliant app will still receive fixes for critical bugs.

 

I've put the confirmation dialog to be displayed each time when you enable those features from Security tab. This is on purpose to remind the users that there are some side effects. When using the hotkey, the confirmation dialog does not appear, so, if you use the hotkey, it will not get annoying.

 

Alright, already tested it out myself, its not so bad, all though I do prefer the no popup.

 

I prefer the pop-up instead of countless emails a day asking why Windows Store apps can't install

 

Thanks!

 

But we all know it ultimately won't help because pop-ups are insta-clicks for most users anyway.

Error messages, UAC, it doesn't matter what it says, yes/no box, is always yes.

You should have had the message say refer to page ## in the user manual and input the "code" found there, make it different for every user. Like those old school PC games trying DRM using the code wheel.

 

Awesome! Thanks for fixing this issue.

 

Tried to install latest and Malwarebytes was having none of it. Blocked MachineLearning/Anomalous.100%. Anyone else? Probably FP but......

 

I saw that too. Turning off MalwareBytes Malware protection allows the update to proceed.

 

Please, open the secret, it will be Firewall, Security Suite etc?

Good idea!