Download simplewall — Windows Firewall Tool

Yes, simplewall is completely free. It is released under the GPL-3.0 open-source license, which means you can download, use, and even modify the source code at no cost. There are no premium tiers, no trial limits, and no hidden fees. The project is maintained by Henry++ and funded by community contributions.

Yes, simplewall is safe. The entire source code is publicly available on GitHub with over 8,000 stars and active community review. It does not inject drivers or modify system files – it uses the official Windows Filtering Platform API, the same interface Microsoft provides for third-party network filtering. Builds are GPG-signed for verification.

Yes, simplewall fully supports Windows 11 on both x64 and ARM64 processors. It is tested and compatible with all current Windows 11 releases. The program also supports Windows 10, 8.1, 8, and 7 SP1 (with KB3063858 installed on Windows 7).

Yes, simplewall and Windows Firewall can run simultaneously without conflicts. simplewall operates through the Windows Filtering Platform independently from Windows Firewall, so both can be active at the same time. Some users prefer to disable Windows Firewall to avoid managing rules in two places, but it is not required.

simplewall blocks Windows telemetry automatically. It ships with a built-in blocklist containing 540+ Microsoft telemetry IP addresses (expandable to 1,496). Just enable filtering and the blocklist will be active by default. You can review and customize blocked addresses in the Blocklist tab. No manual configuration is needed to start blocking telemetry.

To allow Windows Update, you need to permit the svchost.exe service for Windows Update (wuauserv) and Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS). When simplewall shows a connection prompt for these services, click “Allow” and set the rule to permanent. You can also pre-allow them from the main application list by checking the box next to each service.

Before uninstalling, always click “Disable Filters” within simplewall first. This removes all WFP rules from the system. If you uninstall without disabling filters, the WFP rules persist and can block all network access. If you accidentally uninstall without disabling, reinstall simplewall, disable filters, and then uninstall again.

Both are solid lightweight firewalls, but they take different approaches. simplewall uses WFP directly and operates independently from Windows Firewall, while TinyWall is a wrapper around the built-in Windows Firewall. simplewall is open-source with a built-in telemetry blocklist; TinyWall is closed-source but offers a “learning mode” for automatic rule creation. Choose simplewall for more transparency and telemetry blocking; choose TinyWall if you prefer automated rule management.

Windows Firewall Control (by Malwarebytes) is a UI wrapper around the built-in Windows Firewall, offering a friendlier interface for managing its rules. simplewall bypasses Windows Firewall entirely and uses WFP directly, providing deeper system-level filtering. simplewall is free and open-source; Windows Firewall Control has a freemium model. For maximum control and telemetry blocking, simplewall is the stronger choice.

svchost.exe is a Windows system process that hosts multiple services (DNS, DHCP, Windows Update, etc.). simplewall can filter at the individual service level, so you do not have to allow all svchost traffic. Allow specific services you need (like DNS Client for name resolution and DHCP Client for IP addressing) and block the rest. This gives you fine-grained control over which Windows services can connect.

For gaming, allow your game launcher (Steam, Epic, Battle.net) and the game executables themselves with permanent rules. Also allow the relevant anti-cheat services if present (like EasyAntiCheat or BattlEye). If you experience lag, check whether simplewall is blocking any game-related connections in the log. Most games only need outbound TCP/UDP access on ports 443, 80, and their specific game server ports.

Yes, simplewall is actively maintained. The latest release (v3.8.7) was published in August 2025. The GitHub repository shows over 3,740 commits across 38 contributors, with regular updates and bug fixes. The project has been in continuous development for years and shows no signs of slowing down.

To export rules, go to File > Export in the simplewall menu. This saves your current configuration to an XML file. To import, use File > Import and select your saved configuration. This is useful for backing up your setup before a reinstall or sharing rules across multiple machines. The portable version stores rules in simplewall.xml in the application folder.

Windows updates often change or add system executables, which simplewall treats as new applications. When a file changes, its hash no longer matches the original rule, triggering a new prompt. This is actually a security feature – it ensures you review any changes to executables. After a major update, expect a few new prompts as you re-allow updated system components.