Defender (Firewall) Blocking Chrome

Once I open system information, what tab am i looking for to find the information you showed?

 

Once I created the firewall log folder and pfile, I tried to open it but my system states that I don't have access to that file/folder.

 

Did you try the Event Viewer?

It looks like there's a tab labeled "Firewall" in System informer.

 

Looked a couple of times and can't find the firewall tab. I can do a search for firewall, but I don't see the page that they show.

 

its now in "system information", please have another look to his image (or mine), its a TAB.
this tab is present since process hacker.

 

You are referring to a software that I need to download called "System Informer" (System Informer); NOT "System Information" which is a standard part of Windows. Until now, I did not have this software on my computer. I have been looking at "System Information" that is a part of Windows. I do not use process hacker.

 

too bad for you. we cant help if not SI oder WFC.

 

That's a pretty caulous response Brummel. People need to be clear what they mean as System Information and System Informer sound very similar and I assumed that you all meant the program built into Windows.

 

Just curious if you have attempted this:
1). Turn off Windows Firewall-
2). Open chrome. Is it still blocked? (if yes, then issue is something else- if no, then go to 3):
3). Type Windows Security in Search Box
4). Click on Firewall and Network Protection
5). Click on Allow an App through Firewall
From the box that pops up, do you see Chrome? If yes, make sure boxes are checked. If Yes, then try Chrome again. if still Blocked, delete that rule, then:
6). Since Chrome is not on the list, Click on Change Settings (if you haven’t done that already) and click Allow Another App
7). Do a search for chrome.exe (C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application) and click on it to add, then check the boxes to allow it-- then Close the Firewall windows and no attempt Chrome connection.

Did this assist?

 

Thank you very much Cruelsister. Chrome is now accessing the web and I can "surf" with it. It is no longer blocked. Now, the issue I have is that I cannot update/upgrade Chrome. When going to "About Chrome" I receive the following message:

 

I believe that you could solve the Update block in the same fashion as you did for chrome.exe. But this time you will need to allow GoogleUpdate.exe which is found here:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\

Glad the previous post helped you!!!

(ps- it's actually odd that you are having these issues> Have you had ever installed some security app that modifies Firewall settings?)

 

Thank you for your response. I found 3 different GoogleUpdate.exe files and allowed them all in Windows Security/Firewall. I still can browse with Chrome, but am unable to update Chrome and receive the message I posted above. I'll continue to explore options to remedy this issue. However, the laptop that I'm using for this purpose is my secondary laptop that I don't use all that much. So, it's not a big deal. When it's time to update Chrome, I may just need to uninstall and reinstall the newer version; or I can switch to Edge on that laptop.

BTW--the only software that I use on that laptop is Bitdefender Antivirus (not total or anything else added) and Kerish Doctor. I don't use Cyberlock on that laptop. The only thing that I can think of that I also did on that laptop is used GRC's InControl (https://www.grc.com/incontrol.htm) to control OS upgrades. Lastly, I do have an MR image backup from a couple of months ago that I could restore; however, it may have been before I upgraded this laptop to Windows 11.

 

Earlier @Brummelchen suggested this. Did you try it? It might be your best bet now. Here's a link on how:

https://www.majorgeeks.com/content/page/how_to_restore_or_reset_default_windows_defender_firewall_settings.html

 

Good idea!

But do Chrome updates fail even with WF disabled?

 

Google updates fine when WF is disabled. I have not yet reset the firewall. (I've been out of town for several days.)

 

Excellent! A reset should help, and at worst ditch WF entirely as it leaves a great deal (like everything) to be desired anyway.

 

I currently use Bitdefender AV so I obviously do not use a AV suite. What would you recommend replacing WF with? Windows Firewall Control? Many, many moons ago, I used Outpost.

 

For a stand-alone Firewall, WFC can be used (as you note) as well as Tiny or Simplewall. All are a bit too aggressive with deciding what should be blocked for my taste. Also useful alerts are sometimes problematic (either too many or not enough).

(but please note that I use the superb CF, so am totally biased)

 

Thank you. I think I'll look into Tiny Wall or Simplewall. I'll do a search here for comparisons.