Minimal Firewall

Minimal Firewall is a security tool that manages the built-in Windows Firewall with greater precision and control than the native options. It works through granular filtering rules and requires no low-level system modifications.

★★★★★

5.0(4 ratings)

• Lockdown Mode. Enables the maximum security state, where all outbound connections are blocked by default. Each application requires manual approval to establish network connections, preventing data leaks.
• Connection Alerts. Configurable notifications that appear when unauthorized applications try to access the network. Supports interactive mode (popups) or silent logging in the main interface.
• One-Click Rules. A permanent or temporary allow/deny system using direct actions from the alerts. Temporary rules are automatically removed when the application is closed.
• Wildcard Rules. Lets you create filters that cover multiple versions of executables in a specified path. Ideal for browsers and software with frequent updates that change their binaries.
• UWP/Services Support. Manages traffic from Microsoft Store apps and background processes using package SID identifiers, not just traditional executable paths.
• Visual Themes. Adaptive interface with light and dark themes that follow the system settings. Functional design without redundant graphic elements.
• Local Operation. Includes no telemetry components and does not require a connection to external servers. All settings and logs are stored exclusively on the user's computer.
• Portable Version. Standalone executable that requires no installation. Includes a full cleanup function that removes all generated rules when the tool is deactivated.
• Native Integration. Uses only the Windows Firewall infrastructure (WFAS) through public APIs, avoiding WFP filters or kernel modifications that could compromise stability.
• Port Rules. Granular control over specific ports, with the ability to block or schedule access by protocol (TCP/UDP) and direction (inbound/outbound).
• Profile-Based Rules. Separate policy assignment for public, private, or domain networks. Allows adaptive configurations depending on the active connection type.
• Detailed Logging. Chronological event history with timestamps, including blocked connection attempts and changes to rule settings.

Minimal Firewall's development began in 2020 as an alternative to solutions that required disabling the system's security features. Written in C# with .NET 5+, it uses only documented Windows Firewall interfaces and does not rely on drivers or unsigned components. Its source code is available under the MIT license on GitHub.

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