Windows 10: how to block programs from communicating with the internet

Windows 10 user here and firewall novice. I have some of programs I want to block from communicating with the internet:

• First is Wacom software, after reading this, which strongly suggests Wacom is collecting and selling your data. I assume my Logitech gaming hub (software for my mouse) is doing the same.
• Second, I have a handful of VSTs (synths for ableton) from the 00's that are a bit suspect, you install them through an exe, and I'm not sure who the publisher is for most of them, some have... russian lettering...

So what I do is in Windows, I go to the firewall, and set up a custom program block with inbound and outbound rules blocking all the exe files in the installed folders. I don't fully understand if that's enough though and what the difference is between inbound and outbound, I mean I assume inbound is blocking incoming data and outbound is blocking outgoing data from the programs.

Any advice appreciated. I also have Windows defender going, just fyi.

submitted by /u/ContentHog
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Internet Explorer 11 Programs Tab Disappears When Clicked

Hi,



Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

• 
  What exactly do you mean by program tab disappears after you click it?
  
• 
  Do you face this issue specific with program tab or all the tab?
  

I suggest you to open Internet Option from Command prompt and check if it helps.

Follow the steps to open Internet Options.

1. Press windows + R and type
inetcpl.cpl.

2. After opening the Internet options check if the issue still persist.




Keep us posted on this issue so that we can assist you better.

 

HP App DeviceSetup.exe is blocking my scan program on Internet Explorer

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

Please share the below information to help you better.

1) Is this issue is only with Internet explorer or different browser as well?

2) When you say "blocking my scan program on Internet Explorer", what exactly are you trying to scan?

As an initial troubleshooting step I suggest you to clear cookies & cache from the browser & check if the issue persists.

For more information follow the below article.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/internet-explorer/delete-manage-cookies#ie=ie-11

Reply us with the above information to help you better.

Thank you.

 

Window 10 update has blocked some programs access to the internet.

Hi,

Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community.

The programs may not able to access the Internet due to an issue with the Windows Sockets API which is a technical specification that defines how the Windows Network software should access the network services, especially TCP/IP.

Please follow the below steps to perform a Winsock reset:

1. Right click on the Windows icon at the bottom left corner of your screen.
   
2. Click on Command Prompt (Admin).
   
3. Type ‘netsh winsock reset’ and press enter.
   
4. Restart the system and check if the programs are able to access the internet.
   

You can also follow the steps in this
article to fix the network connection issues in Windows.

Hope it helps.

Aaron Summith

Microsoft Community - Moderator