Question Firewall in Windows 10

[Kastner]

I have Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security app stating that I have the firewall on but I have Windows Defender Security Center stating that the firewall is off and I need to take action in Norton Security. 2 different apps with opposing advice. Can anyone advise here?

 

[Colif]

Have you tried turning defender on & Off? it might fix the contradiction

https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/help/4028544/windows-10-turn-windows-defender-firewall-on-or-off

Doesn't Norton Security have its own Firewall?

 

[Kastner]

Yes I've tried turning on and off with no difference. I don't understand why there are 2 applications both for Windows Defender. Norton has it's own firewall but I don't see the point in paying for it when Windows firewall should work

 

[Colif]

2 does seem redundant.

I guess Security Centre is there as a Overview of security on PC, its not just AV & FIrewall, it also shows Smartscreen settings, whether you have secure boot on, and general health of PC + family settings. You can refresh PC from this menu (similar to a reset)

Defender just has the settings for AV & firewall

It makes sense to have them as separate apps as you can have Defender act as Firewall while you use another AV
or disable defender completely and still use Security Centre for its other functions

also means Defender can be updated without updating the security centre as well. Probably less complicated for Microsoft.

 

[Colif]

Have you tried a restart of Windows?

You could try disabling the security centre and then re enabling it again and see if that changes anything - https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/110230-enable-disable-windows-security-windows-10-a.html

 

[Kastner]

I haven't tried a restart but will give the disable/re enable a go. Thanks!

 

[mdd1963]

WIndows Defender will be turned off in the event of another active software firewall...

(Alternatively, Glasswire will not deactivate Defender, but works with it, being more of a nice GUI to accompany WiNdows Firewall instead.......)