Click on in the left pane (Inbound rules handle traffic coming into your PC; Outbound rules handle traffic leaving your PC).
Press the , type cmd , and select Run as Administrator . Type the following command and press Enter: netstat -ab
| Claim | Reality | |-------|---------| | “All ports are closed by default” | – essential system ports are open | | “Windows Firewall blocks everything” | False – many services add inbound rules automatically | | “Stealth mode is secure” | Partially true – but open ports still respond | | “Only port 445 matters” | False – RPC, LLMNR, mDNS are attack vectors | windows 11 open ports
This command chains together the port information with the process details, showing you the application name behind the open port.
Never disable Windows Firewall, even temporarily. It's your first line of defense against unauthorized port access. Click on in the left pane (Inbound rules
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block port 445" ` -Direction Inbound ` -LocalPort 445 ` -Protocol TCP ` -Action Block
Think of your computer’s IP address as a building, and ports as the numbered doors into that building. Never disable Windows Firewall, even temporarily
When you install a fresh copy of Windows 11, the operating system automatically opens several ports for essential services. Most of these are perfectly normal, but understanding them helps you distinguish legitimate traffic from potential threats.
Part 1: How to Open a Port in Windows 11 Firewall (Inbound Rules)