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Windows Firewall

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Recommendation

Keep enabled

Keep Windows Firewall enabled for the Domain, Private and Public profiles.

If an application cannot connect, fix its rule. Disabling all profiles widens the network attack surface and provides no confirmed benefit in games.

All profiles
Enabled
Application problem
Targeted rule
Gaming benefit of disabling
Not confirmed

What Firewall does

Section titled “What Firewall does”

Windows Firewall filters network traffic by network profile and a set of rules. It restricts unwanted inbound connections and can apply outbound rules. Disabling a profile removes this boundary for all programs and services at once, not just for a game.

Registry changes

Section titled “Registry changes”

This free tweak uses the following registry states.

Path Name Enabled Disabled
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\PublicProfile EnableFirewall REG_DWORD 1 REG_DWORD 0
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\DomainProfile EnableFirewall REG_DWORD 1 REG_DWORD 0
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile EnableFirewall REG_DWORD 1 REG_DWORD 0

The actual state is also affected by group policies, MDM or third-party security software. Check it in the Windows Security window: a copy of the registry settings alone is not enough.

How to solve the problem without disabling

Section titled “How to solve the problem without disabling”

If a game, voice chat or launcher is blocked, allow the specific application, port or direction for the required profile. This preserves protection for the remaining services. On a Public network, rules should be stricter than on a trusted home network.

How to change and revert

Section titled “How to change and revert”

In BoosterX, open “Optimization” → “Security” → “Basic Windows protection” → “Windows Firewall” and set the toggle to “Off”: BoosterX will apply the standard Windows state with the firewall enabled. Click “Apply” at the bottom of the page. If “Instant apply” is enabled, the change is applied immediately. To disable the firewall, use the “On” position: BoosterX will apply its recommended disabling of the firewall across all profiles; the standard Windows protection is restored with the “Off” position. Then check all profiles in the “Windows Security” → “Firewall & network protection” window.

Sources and scope of verification

Section titled “Sources and scope of verification”

Individual games were not tested here. The recommendation is based on the fact that disabling removes confirmed network protection. No mechanism for improving FPS or latency has been established.

Last verified: 2026-09-20.