Can Anyone Recommend A Free Reliable Firewall Download?

[peachybabe]

Laptop has Windows 8.1, x64 based processor.
I have the Windows free antivirus software, but a works programme won't run, and it's telling me that I need firewall protection.

[Lie-in King]

Windows Defender has a firewall installed - if you're not running any other antivirus software (McAfee, Norton, Avast etc) with a firewall of its own, open "Control Panel" then in the search box (top right) enter "Action Center" then open that.

Click "Security" & you should see something like "View installed firewall applications". Click that phrase & from the window that appears, select "Windows Firewall" to "On".

I reiterate, another firewall already running will disable the Windows one, so if that is the case & the works program won't work with it, you'll need more expert help than I can offer, sorry.

HTH

[Buenchico]

Windows Firewall offers less comprehensive protection that third-party software (because it only works in one direction). Comodo Free Firewall is well-rated and extremely popular:
https://personalfirewall.comodo.com/

[Lie-in King]

Glad you're here, bc :-)

[Old_Geezer]

Worth noting that a firewall and an anti virus programme are different things.

One spots infections, hopefully before they can install, but afterwards if necessary and again hopefully removes them. A firewall is doing it's best to prevent malicious attacks across the net trying to infect or take control of your PC.

You need both if on the Net. Although security suites as popular these days, that have both and maybe more besides.

[peachybabe]

Many thanks all!

Have removed mcAfee, and it seems to have worked.

Have also lost all those annoying pop ups from the same!

[peachybabe]

The pop ups as I call them, were constantly telling me that my cover had expired! I was well aware of that!