How do I prevent a program from accessing the Internet?

While you may want most programs on your laptop to be connected, there are occasions when you’ll need to know how to stop Windows 10 apps from connecting to the internet — for example, if you want to prevent automatic updates of a particular app, or block ads on an app that works perfectly fine offline. Whatever your intention, here’s the best way to block programs from connecting to the internet in Windows 10.

How to Block a Program From Connecting to the Internet in Windows 10

1. Type "Windows Defender Firewall" into the Windows 10 search bar and click on the first result.

How do I prevent a program from accessing the Internet?

2. Look toward the left hand-side of the app and click on Advanced Settings.

3. Once the Advanced Security app is open, click on Outbound Rules, located on the left side.

4. Now click on New Rule, which will appear on the right-hand side.

5. The New Outbound Rule Wizard will open; select Program and continue.

6. You’ll have to click This Program Path and hit Browse to select the program you want to block.

7. In the next screen, simply select Block The Connection.

8. You'll be asked when you want this rule to apply. If they’re not all selected already, click Domain, Private and Public.

9. All you have to do now is name the rule, add a description if you want, and hit Finish.

Now you know how to block programs from connecting to the internet in Windows 10. If you’re looking for other helpful tips, take a tour through our

If you want to block an application from accessing the internet on Windows 11 and Windows 10 computers, here is how you can do that. There are mainly two methods to prevent an app from using the internet connection on your computer – using Windows Defender Firewall and using third-party software.

How do I prevent a program from accessing the Internet?

Let’s assume that you want to hand over your computer to your kid for educational purposes, and your kid needs to read some offline books. On the other hand, your computer is always connected to the internet due to some reason. At such a moment, if you want to prevent your kid from accessing the internet via a browser like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge, this tutorial will be handy for you. Whether it is a browser, game, or anything else, you can block that program from using the internet on your computer.

How to block an application from accessing the internet

To block an application from accessing the internet using Windows Defender Firewall, follow these steps:

  1. Open Windows Defender Firewall on your PC.
  2. Click on the Advanced settings option.
  3. Select the Outbound Rules on the left side.
  4. Click on the New Rule option on the right side.
  5. Select Program and click the Next button.
  6. Select This program path > click the Browse button.
  7. Choose the program you want to block from accessing the internet.
  8. Click the Next button.
  9. Select Block the connection option and click on Next.
  10. Select Domain, Private, and Public options > click the Next button.
  11. Enter the name of the Firewall rule and click the Finish button.

To learn more about these steps, continue reading.

At first, you need to search for the firewall in the Taskbar search box and click on the individual search result to open the Windows Defender Firewall on your computer. Following that, click on the Advanced settings option on the left side and click the Outbound Rules.

On the right-hand side, you can find an option called New Rule. Click on it to create a new firewall rule to block the program from using the internet connection on your PC.

How do I block a program from accessing the internet Windows 10?

How to Block a Program From Connecting to the Internet in Windows 10.
Look toward the left hand-side of the app and click on Advanced Settings..
Once the Advanced Security app is open, click on Outbound Rules, located on the left side..
Now click on New Rule, which will appear on the right-hand side..

How do I change Internet permissions for a program?

Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security. Select an App permission (for example, Location) then choose which apps can access it. The Privacy page won't list apps with permission to use all system resources.

How do I block a program from accessing the internet except one?

How can you block all Windows 10 processes except one, at once?.
Press Windows + R..
Type in control.exe, which will open the Control Panel..
Select View by (Top-right corner) to Category..
Click on System and Security..
Under the Windows Defender Firewall, select Allow an app through Windows Firewall..

How do I restrict a program?

Option two: block access to programs via Group Policy Editor.
Open Run, type in “gpedit. ... .
Go to User Configuration>Administrative Templates>Templates..
Double-click Run only specified Windows applications..
In the Run only specified Windows applications window, choose the Enabled option..