Block entire folders in Windows Firewall

Martin Brinkmann
Jul 1, 2016
Updated • Jul 7, 2016
Software
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17

Folder Firewall Blocker is a free open source program for Windows devices that lets you block inbound and outgoing connections of every executable file in a specified folder.

One of the shortcomings of the Windows Firewall, and the majority of firewall programs for the matter for Windows, is that you cannot specify paths to block all executable files stored under that path from inbound or outbound Internet connections.

If you wanted to block all programs in the user folder or temporary folder for instance, you would have to specify them one by one in Windows Firewall.

If you don't want programs under a certain path to connect to the Internet, then you have only a couple of options to prevent that.

You can block all connections and whitelist those that you require, use a program like Windows Firewall Notifier that display notifications when programs try to connect to the Internet, or use Folder Firewall Blocker to block all executable files in a folder.

Folder Firewall Blocker

folder firewall blocker

Folder Firewall Blocker is a simple program. All you need to do to make use of it is to launch it, click on folder to select a local folder, and then on the block button to block all executable files in that folder.

A prompt is displayed when you hit the block button that acts as a confirmation. Hit yes to proceed or no to cancel the operation.

block all

Folder Firewall Blocker adds rules for every .exe program in the folder to Windows Firewall. It highlights that in the interface while it is adding the rules. You may verify this by checking the inbound or outbound rules in Windows Firewall as well.

The latest version of Folder Firewall Blocker supports .exe files and other executable file types: com, bat, cmd, vbs, vbe, js, jse, wsf, wsh, msc, scr, msi, cpl, ocx, dll, drv and sys.

folder firewall blocker file types

Shortcomings

As great as the option is to block connections of every executable file in a folder, its use is limited.

The program has several shortcomings that prevent it from reaching a wider audience:

  • It supports only .exe files and not other executable file types. Fixed in recent versions that support multiple executable file types.
  • It won't parse subfolders, only the root folder. Fixed in recent versions of the application. A new "scan subfolders" option is now available.
  • It won't block future additions to the folder.

While you may be able to work around the second and third issue, there is nothing that you can do about the first.

You may simply run the program on each folder separately. While that works to get all exe files blocked, it may take a long time depending on the folder structure. If you wanted to block all user profile executable files from connecting to the Internet, you'd spend a long time running Folder Firewall Blocker on all folders under the path.

You can run the program regularly to cover new executable files, but the protection won't be realtime.

Closing Words

Folder Firewall Blocker is a promising program, especially after recent updates that introduce support for more executable file types and subfolder scanning to the application.

We have adjusted the rating of the program based on the updates as it improved the program by a lot.

Now You: Which firewall do you use, and why?

Summary
software image
Author Rating
1star1star1star1stargray
3 based on 31 votes
Software Name
Folder Firewall Blocker
Operating System
Windows
Software Category
Security
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Comments

  1. Anonymous said on February 24, 2021 at 12:15 pm
    Reply

    Worked fine! Very usefull.

  2. Murderer Nitesh said on September 3, 2020 at 12:42 pm
    Reply

    It the project dead? There are no files on its SourceForge page. Too bad. I needed this to run Chinese programs.

    1. Tom Hawack said on September 3, 2020 at 8:54 pm
      Reply

      @Murderer Nitesh, latest ‘Folder Firewall Blocke’r version (as far as i know) which is 1.2.1 is still available at Softpedia [https://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Security-Related/Folder-Firewall-Blocker.shtml]

  3. concerned said on February 9, 2020 at 1:47 am
    Reply

    what happened to ffb links? please check.

  4. bazoka said on April 6, 2017 at 12:50 am
    Reply

    hi
    when add special type files like ini cfg pak bin etc nex time the list restore to default no custom type files i hope you fix it to save added files type next time they are there thankyou ^^

  5. Shiv Das said on September 15, 2016 at 7:50 pm
    Reply

    worked perfectly.. Thanks for the recommendation..

  6. OldNick said on August 4, 2016 at 4:20 pm
    Reply

    @yunggoose

    Ran Folder Firewall Blocker 1.2.1.0 multiple times on Windows 10.

    The program correctly finds the .exe, .dll, &c. files in the folder & subfolders and announces success.

    Yet no new firewall rules are ever generated, as a subsequent check shows.

    What can I try to make it work? Thanks.

  7. smaragdus said on July 3, 2016 at 7:44 am
    Reply

    Jar

  8. bantu said on July 2, 2016 at 8:50 pm
    Reply

    Hi Martin,
    You did mention
    “While you may be able to work around the second and third issue, there is nothing that you can do about the first”
    Although i had never used this program, but i think first point could also have workaround like ‘test.txt’ in windows can be changed to ‘test.exe’

  9. someone said on July 2, 2016 at 2:04 pm
    Reply

    thanks for the tip!
    together with this .bat file, they will ease the pain of using Windows Firewall…

    https://gist.github.com/awurts/9774751

  10. Jeff said on July 2, 2016 at 7:50 am
    Reply

    Already block all outgoing traffic by default using Sphinx Windows Firewall Control. It prompts and shows a notification for when some apps wants to connect. You just click Allow as required.

  11. yunggoose said on July 1, 2016 at 11:11 pm
    Reply

    I’m currently patching FFB to block:
    .COM;.EXE;.BAT;.CMD;.VBS;.VBE;.JS;.JSE;.WSF;.WSH;.MSC

    If there are any I am missing in this list, tell me and I will add them!

    1. Name said on November 4, 2020 at 8:23 pm
      Reply

      Missing .dat. I already see .dat using internet

    2. Tony said on July 2, 2016 at 7:44 am
      Reply

      .SCR, .MSI, .CPL, .OCX, perhaps even .DLL, .DRV, and .SYS

      1. yunggoose said on July 2, 2016 at 9:59 pm
        Reply

        Done 1.1.0 is live. :)

  12. Pete said on July 1, 2016 at 10:48 pm
    Reply

    TinyWall is the best.

    I don’t understand why you review “Folder Firewall Blocker” if it really has those shortcomings as you listed. It’s totally useless.. and even dangerous if the user doesn’t understand the shortcomings.

    1. Mr. Angry Face said on January 30, 2023 at 5:06 am
      Reply

      I have tiny wall and it WILL NOT allow me to block Adobe programs period. Also, the above program didn’t block the Adobe folder whatsoever. Each instance was shown hitting tinywall and swiftly establishing connections it shouldn’t have.

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