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Why You Should Prevent Apps from Accessing the Internet
There are many reasons why you would want to prevent certain apps from accessing the Internet, including:
Staying safe by blocking apps that you don’t trust from going online. Giving this access means that such apps will send and receive data to and from their servers.Enjoying a clean experience by blocking annoying ads on apps and games that don’t need an Internet connection to work. Preventing kids from using certain apps, such as social media apps.Disabling Internet access for apps that you don’t frequently use, so they can’t connect to it secretly, as a precaution.
1. Create Custom Firewall Rules
Windows has its own built-in firewall. This utility allows users to block Internet access for some apps, among other things. Note: if you’re struggling to find where an application is installed, you can easily right-click its shortcut, choose “Properties,” then click “Show File Location.” This applies to both desktop shortcuts and the Start menu shortcuts. Is an antivirus still a must if you’re running Windows 11? Find out if Windows Defender provides enough protection for your system.
Deleting and Disabling the Rules
If you’ve changed your mind and wish to allow the app(s) back online, you’ll need to disable or delete the rules you’ve previously created.
2. Manage the Default Rules
Various default rules are automatically assigned to installed apps by Windows, and you can view them via the Windows Defender Firewall app. As a result, you can tweak these rules for any app and prevent it from connecting to the Internet. However, this method isn’t exactly foolproof, as you may not find a rule for the exact app you want to block, or an app might have many rules associated with it. On the other hand, this method can be useful if you want to stop Microsoft Store apps from accessing the Internet, as these apps don’t have a public .EXE file, and it’s a bit tricky to tackle them via the WindowsApps folder. Keep your accounts secure with two-factor authentication, even if you don’t have a smartphone at hand. Learn how to use Google Authenticator on PC instead.
3. Use a Dedicated App
Many users prefer to use a specialized app for every task, including cutting off Internet access to some apps. One of the best tools for the job is TinyWall, a free-to-use app with a minimal interface. Additionally, TinyWall has no ads and sports extra features. Note: the “Disable firewall” option disables TinyWall’s firewall, not Windows’s. What’s more, the settings you’ve applied will still affect your device even if you’ve exited the TinyWall app. Note: you can click the “Detect” button to let TinyWall find the programs installed on your device instead of manually selecting them. However, this method sometimes fails to find all the apps and takes considerable time. A friend wants to connect to your Wi-Fi, but you can’t remember the password? Here’s how to view saved Wi-Fi passwords in Windows. Image credit: 123rf. All screenshots by Mustafa Ashour.
