Share via

How does one add Network Discovery to the Windows Defender Allowed apps list?

D 0 Reputation points
2025-06-20T20:23:53.8666667+00:00

In Window 10, I do not see Network Discovery as an option to pass through the Windows Defender firewall.

I see there is a button called Allow another app, located on the Windows Defender Allowed apps screen. However, I do not know what file to navigate to in order to add Network Discovery to this list.

I'm hoping someone can point me to the right file or a method of adding Network Discovery to the list.

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | Networking | Network connectivity and file sharing
0 comments

2 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. MotoX80 37,686 Reputation points
    2025-06-23T14:21:46.61+00:00

    See my comment dated Jun 18, 2025, 5:51 PM in this post.

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2283783/one-pc-sees-the-other-on-network-but-not-vice-vers

    I shared 2 Powershell scripts that I put together to test (CheckNetworkDiscovery.ps1) and set (FixNetworkDiscovery.ps1) Network Discovery.

    Was this answer helpful?

  2. Joseph Tran 4,080 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-06-23T10:14:32.0733333+00:00

    Based on what I have known Windows 10, Network Discovery is not a standalone app with an .exe file you can manually add through the "Allow another app" button. Instead, it is a set of services and rules controlled by Windows Firewall and Advanced Sharing Settings.

    So you can ensure Network Discovery is enabled and properly allowed through the firewall:

    - Turn On Network Discovery

    • Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center.
    • Click Change advanced sharing settings.
    • Under Private network, ensure the following options are enabled:
      • Turn on network discovery
      • Turn on file and printer sharing

    -> Do the same under Guest or Public if you are on a public network, though this is not recommended unless needed.

    - Allow Network Discovery Through Firewall

    • Search for and open Windows Defender Firewall.
    • Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
    • Click the Change settings button (you may need admin rights).
    • Scroll down and make sure these two items are checked for both Private and Public:
      • Network Discovery
      • File and Printer Sharing

    -> If "Network Discovery" is not listed, continue to next one.

    - Enable Firewall Rules Manually

    • Open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security:
      • Press Win + R, type wf.msc, press Enter.
    • In the left pane, click Inbound Rules.
    • Look for the following rule groups and ensure they are enabled (green check icon):
      • Network Discovery (NB-Name-In)
      • Network Discovery (NB-Session-In)
      • Network Discovery (NB-Datagram-In)
      • Network Discovery (LLMNR-UDP-In)
      • Network Discovery (UPnP-In)
      • Network Discovery (WSD-In)

    -> If they are disabled, right-click → Enable Rule.

    Then do the same under Outbound Rules if needed, based on your own risk.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.