For the past few weeks (maybe since the last MSFS update, EVERYTIME I start MSFS I get a reminder that Windows Defender Firewall has blocked some features of flightsimulator.exe.

Private networks such as my home is always ticked (selected) and so I click on 'allow access'

This used to happen occasionally in the past but now it happens EVERYTIME I start MSFS.

I have checked Windows Firewall for somewhere to 'tell' it that MSFS is 'ok' ie trusted but cannot find how to.

Any ideas?

 

 

Edited February 18, 20233 yr by Jarnie
typo

@Jarnie I moved your topic from the Tips and Tricks section to the main MSFS forum where support topics go. The section you posted in is for people to post tips for the sim but not support questions. 

Try this:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/add-an-exclusion-to-windows-security-811816c0-4dfd-af4a-47e4-c301afe13b26

I have excluded the exe file and the folder, do exclude the process as well. An exclusion for the Community Folder could help too.

Good luck

Mick

I have Windows defender turned off, and I still see a pop up like this occasionally. I have Webroot Firewall, and don't need Defender mucking up things. 

12 hours ago, Jarnie said:

For the past few weeks (maybe since the last MSFS update, EVERYTIME I start MSFS I get a reminder that Windows Defender Firewall has blocked some features of flightsimulator.exe.

Private networks such as my home is always ticked (selected) and so I click on 'allow access'

This used to happen occasionally in the past but now it happens EVERYTIME I start MSFS.

I have checked Windows Firewall for somewhere to 'tell' it that MSFS is 'ok' ie trusted but cannot find how to.

Any ideas?

 

 

After some quick googling, I came across these two suggestions:

Quote

What I did was go to Control Panel > Internet Options > Security tab > Local internet zone. Unlike the other zones this one didn't have a slider to select security level, it just said something about resetting to default if I wanted to. So click the Default Level button and that brings back the security slider at the Medium-low setting.

This fixed my Windows firewall. No idea how it got in that state.

Quote

I just solved the issue. I was poking around group policy. I navigated to firewall configuration under network connections. I looked for o not allow firewall exceptions. Naturally it was set to "not configured" So firewall exceptions should have been allowed by default. I decided to toggle this on and off to see if there was a disconnect between this and reality. Surprisingly this worked. I do not know why. It doesn't make seance.

...jim

 

5 hours ago, Bobsk8 said:

I have Windows defender turned off, and I still see a pop up like this occasionally. I have Webroot Firewall, and don't need Defender mucking up things. 

As noted in some previous discussion, I also use Webroot and have found it to be remarkably trouble free. However, its firewall only monitors outgoing traffic. Windows Defender continues to provide inbound firewall protection. Its explained here:

https://answers.webroot.com/Webroot/ukp.aspx?pid=17&app=vw&vw=1&solutionid=1301&t=You-want-to-know-if-SecureAnywhere-is-compatible-with-another-firewall#:~:text=The Webroot firewall monitors data,traffic coming into your computer.

2 minutes ago, jrw4 said:

As noted in some previous discussion, I also use Webroot and have found it to be remarkably trouble free. However, its firewall only monitors outgoing traffic. Windows Defender continues to provide inbound firewall protection. Its explained here:

https://answers.webroot.com/Webroot/ukp.aspx?pid=17&app=vw&vw=1&solutionid=1301&t=You-want-to-know-if-SecureAnywhere-is-compatible-with-another-firewall#:~:text=The Webroot firewall monitors data,traffic coming into your computer.

Didn't know that, thanks. 

Thanks everyone.

Firstly sorry for mistaking that tips and tricks is for posting tips and tricks instead of wanting a tip.

I remember years ago with a firewall (maybe it was a third party firewall) that there was a section to enter 'trusted' web sites.

I will check out settings again as explained and see if I can fix Defender that way otherwise I will check out webroot and also search the internet for other firewalls and maybe  give Windows Defender the boot.

In the meantime (Mick) I followed the instructions at the web site and after getting to "Virus & threat protection settings" there was NO Manage settings to select so I could not go on to add an exclusion.

9 hours ago, Jarnie said:

Thanks everyone.

Firstly sorry for mistaking that tips and tricks is for posting tips and tricks instead of wanting a tip.

I remember years ago with a firewall (maybe it was a third party firewall) that there was a section to enter 'trusted' web sites.

I will check out settings again as explained and see if I can fix Defender that way otherwise I will check out webroot and also search the internet for other firewalls and maybe  give Windows Defender the boot.

In the meantime (Mick) I followed the instructions at the web site and after getting to "Virus & threat protection settings" there was NO Manage settings to select so I could not go on to add an exclusion.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=exclude a folder from windows defender scan windows 10 site:microsoft.com&form=B00032&ocid=SettingsHAQ-BingIA&mkt=en-US