How To Block a Software From Accessing Internet in Windows

Blocking a program or software from accessing the internet is simply a way to

make or stop that particular program from being able to use the internet

whenever the PC is connected to a data network. This doesn't mean that the

PC will no longer be able to access the internet rather, that program, in

particular, won't have internet access because of certain firewall blocking

rules that have been set.

Why Should I Stop a Program From Accessing the Internet

I know, the primary function of most people on PC is to access the internet

with it, so telling them to block or suspend a particular program from

accessing the internet might sound odd. So let me quickly give you few

reasons why you might want to block a particular program from accessing the

internet

1. You might not want it to continuously check for updates.

2. You might not want the program to automatically update to a newer

version

3. The program might be displaying some annoying ads content which can also be distracting

4. You might be worried about sensitive data might get leaked and so on.

So if the essential features and tasks of that particular software don't rely on

the internet, go right ahead and cut it off from internet access, it is perfectly

safe and here is how to do it.

How can I block A Particular Program's Access to the Internet?

Windows firewall not only comes very much in handy in protecting your

computer from malware and other security threats but can also be

configured to block any program from accessing the internet if you follow

these simple steps

1. Open Control Panel on your PC

2. Click on Windows Firewall

3. On the Windows Firewall window, click on Advanced settings (it is

usually on the left side)

4. Click on outbound rules to restrict internet access for a particular app.

5. Under the Actions panel on the right side of the window, click on New

Rule.

6. Click on Program and press Next to continue

7. Now locate the path where that program you want to block from

accessing the internet has been installed. By default, programs in Windows

PC are installed at C:\Program Files\... You can either locate the program

using the Browse option in the find window, or you type in the program path

by yourself.

8. In the Action window, select Block the connection and click Next

9. Highlight when your blocking rules should apply to the program. (For best

performance, Select all the three options which are Domain, Private and

Public, so as to completely cut off internet access.

10. Give a name to the new rule you just created. For easy remembrance,

save the blocking rule name with the name that software you wish to block

from accessing the internet.

Eg, After creating a blocking rule for Zuma Revenge, name it "Block Zuma Revenge. Then when you are through, click Finish and your blocking rules will be activated.

Two types of blocking that can be done in Windows Firewall are inbound

traffic and outbound traffic.

Inbound traffic refers to all the data coming to your program from a server elsewhere. Outbound traffic is due to a connection initiated by your program. This tutorial is focused on the outbound traffic which is a connection that was initiated by your program.

Now to enable inbound traffic which is a connection that your program receives from an outside network, select “Inbound rules” in step 4 above complete the rest of the steps.

Finally, this guide on how to block a program from accessing the internet in Windows laptop was done with a Windows 10 PC, and can still be done on Windows 10S PC, Windows 7, 8 and 8.1.