In the Windows Firewalls Inbound Rules, I can set various rules to Block, which Im interested in doing for the Public profile. In the Windows Firewalls Allowed Programs, I can specify programs and features that will communicate through the Windows Firewall. When my PC initiates communication to outside, I want the replies to make it back in through the firewall. I just dont want communications initiated from outside to make it in through the firewall. Lets take File and Printer Sharing as an example. When I enable or disable File and Printer Sharing as a feature, it automatically enables or disables both the inbound and outbound rules for File and Printer Sharing. Conversely, if I enable or disable all of the inbound and outbound rules, it enables or disables the feature. However, if I disable just the inbound rules but not the outbound rules (which I would like to do), it leaves the feature enabled. Will this really block inbound traffic thats initiated from outside?

The best way to learn the firewall behaviour is by analyzing network traffic with the help of network monitor (from MS download page or Wireshark). Syn packets without response will signal the firewall closed. Here is example how it works for remote debugging. In this example the function is reached and port are settled: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb385831.aspx Regards Milos

Thank you. I installed it, and it looks good. I'll see what happens.