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Configure Windows Firewall to allow Waterfox access to the Internet

Windows provides a built-in firewall, which controls how programs access the Internet. If Windows Firewall doesn’t permit Waterfox to make connections, Waterfox generates a “Server not found” error when you try to browse to websites.

Checking for Windows 10 Firewall

To see if you’re running Windows Firewall:

  1. Right-click the Windows icon. A menu will appear.
  2. Select Control Panel from the menu. The Control Panel will appear.
  3. In the Control Panel, select System and Security.
  4. In System and Security, select Windows Firewall.

Configuring Windows 10 Firewall

If you’re running Windows Firewall and having connection problems in Waterfox:

  1. On the left side of the Windows Firewall panel, click Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall. The Allowed apps panel will appear.
  2. Click the Change Settings button.
  3. Find Waterfox in the list of programs. If it is there, click to select it. If not, skip the next step.
  4. With Waterfox (or waterfox.exe) selected, click the Remove button. Confirm that you want to remove the entry.
  5. Click the Allow another app button. The Add a Program window will appear.
  6. In the Add an app window, click the Browse button.
  7. Navigate to the Waterfox program directory (e.g. C:\Program Files\Waterfox) and double-click on waterfox.exe.
  8. Click the Add button.
  9. Click the OK button to close the Allowed apps panel.

Checking for Windows 8 Firewall

To see if you’re running Windows Firewall:

  1. From the Start Screen, click the Desktop tile. The Desktop view will open.

  2. From the Desktop, hover in the lower right-hand corner to access the Charms.

  3. Select Control Panel from the Settings charm. The Control Panel window will open.

  4. Click on System and Security. The System and Security Panel will appear.

  5. Click on Windows Firewall. The Windows Firewall panel will appear.

  6. If you see a green check mark, you are running Windows Firewall.

Configuring Windows 8 Firewall

If you’re running Windows Firewall and having connection problems in Waterfox:

  1. On the left side of the Windows Firewall panel, click Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall. The Allowed Programs panel will appear.
  2. Click the Change Settings button.
  3. Find Waterfox in the list of programs. If it is there, click to select it. If not, skip the next step.
  4. With Waterfox (or waterfox.exe) selected, click the Remove button. Confirm that you want to remove the entry.
  5. Click the Allow another program… button. The Add a Program window will appear.
  6. In the Add a Program window, click the Browse… button.
  7. Navigate to the Waterfox program directory (e.g. C:\Program Files\Waterfox) and double-click on waterfox.exe.
  8. Click the Add button.
  9. Click the OK button to close the Allowed Programs panel.

Windows 7

Checking for Windows 7 Firewall

To see if you’re running Windows Firewall:

  1. Click the Windows icon, and select Control Panel. The Control Panel window will appear.

  2. Click on System and Security. The System and Security Panel will appear.

  3. Click on Windows Firewall. The Windows Firewall panel will appear.

  4. If you see a green check mark, you are running Windows Firewall.

Configuring Windows 7 Firewall

If you’re running Windows Firewall and having connection problems in Waterfox:

  1. On the left side of the Windows Firewall panel, click Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall. The Allowed Programs panel will appear.
  2. Click the Change Settings button.
  3. Find Waterfox in the list of programs. If it is there, click to select it. If not, skip the next step.
  4. With Waterfox (or waterfox.exe) selected, click the Remove button. Confirm that you want to remove the entry.
  5. Click the Allow another program… button. The Add a Program window will appear.
  6. In the Add a Program window, click the Browse… button.
  7. Navigate to the Waterfox program directory (e.g. C:\Program Files\Waterfox) and double-click on waterfox.exe.
  8. Click the Add button.
  9. Click the OK button to close the Allowed Programs panel.

Windows Vista

Checking for Windows Vista Firewall

To see if you’re running Windows Firewall:

  1. Click the Windows icon, and select Control Panel. The Control Panel window will appear.
  2. Click on the System header. The Security Panel will appear.
  3. Click on the Windows Firewall header. The Windows Firewall panel will appear.
  4. If you see a green check mark and the message Windows Firewall is helping to protect your computer, you are running Windows Firewall.

Configuring Windows Vista Firewall

If you’re running Windows Firewall and having connection problems in Waterfox:

  1. On the left side of the Windows Firewall panel, click Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall. The Windows Firewall Settings window will appear.
  2. Find Waterfox (or waterfox.exe) in the list of programs. If it is there, click to select it. If not, skip the next step.
  3. With Waterfox selected, click the Delete button. Confirm that you want to delete the entry.
  4. Click the Add program… button. The Add a Program window will appear.
  5. In the Add a Program window, click the Browse… button.
  6. Navigate to the Waterfox program directory (e.g. C:\Program Files\Waterfox) and double-click on waterfox.exe.
  7. Click the OK button to close the Add a Program window.
  8. In the Windows Firewall Settings window, click to select the General tab.
  9. Ensure that Block all incoming connections is not selected.
  10. Click the OK button to close the Windows Firewall Settings window.

Checking for Windows XP Firewall

To see if you’re running Windows Firewall:

  1. Click on the Windows Start button, and select Control Panel. The Control panel window will appear.

  2. Click on the Security Center link. The Security Center will appear.

  3. If the Firewall header says ON, you are running Windows Firewall.

Configuring Windows XP Firewall

If you’re running Windows Firewall and having connection problems in Waterfox:

  1. Check Windows Firewall is ON.
  2. In the Security Center, click Windows Firewall. The Windows Firewall window will open.
  3. Select the Exceptions tab.
  4. Find Waterfox (or waterfox.exe) in the list of programs. If it is there, click to select it. If not, skip the next step.
  5. With Waterfox selected, click the Delete button. Confirm that you want to delete the entry.
  6. Click the Add Program… button.
  7. In the Add a Program window, click the Browse… button.
  8. Navigate to the Waterfox program directory (e.g. C:\Program Files\Waterfox) and double-click on waterfox.exe.
  9. Click the OK button to close the Add a Program window. 10. Click the OK button to close the Windows Firewall Settings window.

Based on information from Firewalls (mozillaZine KB)