How to Open or Set Custom Port on Windows Server 2022

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💡 What is a Port?

A Port is a virtual point where network connections start and end. It allows computers to distinguish between different kinds of traffic — for example, web browsing (port 80) or remote access (port 22). Sometimes, you need to manually open a port in your firewall to allow certain apps or services to communicate over your network.

Steps to Open a Port in Windows Firewall

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Open Firewall from Windows

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Search for “Windows Defender Firewall” in the Start menu and click to open it.

Open Windows Firewall Security Properties

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On the left panel, click on “Advanced settings” to open the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.

Check if It's Active/On

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Make sure that the Domain, Private, and Public Profiles are all showing “Windows Firewall is on”.

Inside Inbound Rules, Click on New Rule

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In the left sidebar, click on “Inbound Rules”, then on the right pane, click “New Rule…”.

Select Port

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In the New Inbound Rule Wizard, choose “Port” and click Next.

Enter/Specify Port Number

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Select either TCP or UDP, then enter the specific port number you want to allow, and click Next.

Click on Allow the Connection

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Choose “Allow the connection” to permit traffic through the specified port, then click Next.

Select All and Click Next

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Check all three options — Domain, Private, Public, and click Next.

Enter Name and Description for the Port

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Give your rule a Name and optional Description to identify it easily, then click Finish.

Open Command Prompt and Check if the Port is Open

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Open Command Prompt and use commands like netstat -an or telnet [IP] [port] to verify if the port is open.

✅ Conclusion

Opening a port in Windows Firewall allows applications or services to communicate with your device over the network. Always double-check that the port is open only when necessary and close it when it's no longer in use to maintain system security.