--- title: Open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security description: Learn how to open the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security console. You must be a member of the Administrators group. ms.prod: windows-client ms.topic: conceptual ms.date: 09/08/2021 --- # Open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security This procedure shows you how to open the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security console. **Administrative credentials** To complete this procedure, you must be a member of the Administrators group. For more information, see Additional considerations. ## To open Windows Defender Firewall using the UI Click Start, type **Windows Defender Firewall**, and then press ENTER. ## To open Windows Defender Firewall from a command prompt 1. Open a command prompt window. 2. At the command prompt, type: ``` syntax wf.msc ``` **Additional considerations** Although standard users can start the Windows Defender Firewall MMC snap-in, to change most settings the user must be a member of a group with the permissions to modify those settings, such as Administrators.