How to Add a Port in Windows Firewall

Adding a port in your Windows XP Firewall allows an application or service to communicate with your computer. With a port, the connection between the application or service and your computer remains open and safe during use.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Windows XP

1. Press the "Start" button from the bottom left hand corner of your screen to display the Start menu. Choose "Control Panel" from the right side of the Start menu to open the Control Panel window.
2. Double-click the "Windows Firewall" icon from the Control Panel window to open the Windows Firewall dialog box.
3. Click the "Exceptions" tab at the top of the Windows Firewall dialog box.
4. Select the "Add Port" button from the Windows Firewall dialog box to open the Add a Port dialog box.
5. Type a name for the new port in the "Name" text box and the port number in the "Port number" box. You can find the port number for the service or program you want to use in the documentation for that service or program. This port number must be entered exactly as you see it in the documentation.
6. Choose "TCP" or "UDP" for the type of port you want to open.
7. Close both the Add a Port and Windows Firewall dialog boxes. You can now close the Control Panel window as well.

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