Q: How can I disable or enable the Windows Firewall for a specific network connection?

A: To disable or enable specific network connections in the Windows Firewall, you must first start the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) Windows Firewall with Advanced Security snap-in (wf.msc), then click Windows Firewall Properties in the center pane to open the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security on Local Computer Properties dialog box. On each Profile tab (Domain, Private, Public), click Customize for the Protected network connections setting.

In the Protected Network Connection for dialog box, you can disable the Windows Firewall for a given network connection by clearing the check box next to the network connection that you don't want to be protected by the Windows Firewall, or select the check box for connections you want to be protected, as Figure 1 illustrates.

Figure 1: Choosing network connections to protect with Windows Firewall in the Protected Network Connection for the Private Profile dialog box (Click image for larger view)