Minimal Firewall is a portable Windows firewall interface that alerts users about internet connections without requiring special kernel modifications or disabling kernel isolation, providing a balance between the security of Window Defender and the functionality of Simplewall.
Main characteristics:
- Blocking mode: the core of the minimal firewall. When enabled, it configures Windows Firewall to block all outgoing connections that don’t have an explicit “Allow” rule. No program will connect without your permission.
- Real-time connection alerts: Receive instant notifications when a blocked program attempts to access the network. Choose between interactive pop-ups for immediate action or silent in-app notifications in the dashboard for later viewing.
- Create simple and advanced rules:
– Program rules: allow or block applications with one click.
– Advanced rules: create detailed rules based on protocol (TCP/UDP/ICMP), local/remote ports, IP addresses, services, and network profiles (domain, private, public network). - Firewall Audit: The Audit tab displays a log of firewall rules that have been created, modified, or deleted by other applications, allowing you to monitor background changes.
- Real-time traffic monitoring: The Active Connections tab displays all active TCP connections on your system in real time, showing which process is connected to which remote address.
- Universal Rules: Easily manage applications that are frequently updated (such as web browsers) by creating rules that apply to any executable file in a specific folder.
- Trust publishers/digital certificates: This works similarly to wildcard rules. You can automatically trust applications with digital certificates that Windows trusts. Or you can manually whitelist publishers.
- UWP and service support: Manage rules for modern Windows Store (UWP) apps and background system services, not just traditional desktop apps.
- Light and dark themes: a clean, modern user interface that’s easy on the eyes both day and night.
- 100% local and private: The minimal firewall does not contain telemetry, does not connect to the Internet, and stores all rules and logs locally on your computer.
- Portability: Minimal Firewall is a single executable file that requires no installation. All rules are built into the Windows Firewall, so there’s no need to install additional drivers or services.
