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Windows Defender Firewall

Windows ServiceMicrosoft Corporation

Dem still dey call am mpssvc, windows firewall, windows defender firewall, mpsdrv

WindowsMicrosoft

Di Windows Filtering Platform service wey dey enforce Windows Defender Firewall rules. E no be di Defender file scanner.

Wetin you need know

Dis na di firewall service. MsMpEng.exe na di antivirus engine.

mpssvc dey enforce Windows Defender Firewall through Windows Filtering Platform. To off am without anoda firewall dey open di PC. E no dey scan documents.

Important?
Yes, unless anoda firewall own di PC
Same as MsMpEng?
No. Dat na di AV engine
E safe to disable?
Only if anoda firewall dey active
Feex tok say
If game want make firewall off, I go add rule. I no go set mpssvc to Disabled come call am performance tweak.

Wetin dis service dey do?

Display name: Windows Defender Firewall. Service name: mpssvc.

E dey load firewall profiles, dey apply rules, and dey talk to di WFP engine. Third-party firewalls suppose register as di owner instead of to run beside disabled mpssvc without plan.

History on Windows

Still present

Internet Connection Firewall show for Windows XP. Windows Vista introduce Windows Filtering Platform and di Windows Firewall service wey come turn Windows Defender Firewall. Di service name mpssvc (and di older MpsSvc spelling for some UIs) na di current contract on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Windows Defender Firewall service history
Earlier form Internet Connection Firewall on Windows XP
WFP firewall service Windows Vista (2007)
Current name Windows Defender Firewall on Windows 10 and Windows 11
Discontinued No

Why Windows need am?

Inbound filtering na di default on client Windows. Without mpssvc, na only third-party filter or disconnected NIC dey remain.

When e dey run?

E suppose dey run anytime PC dey network. Profile changes dey happen when you switch public and private.

E suppose dey run always?

Automatic na di default. Disabled na hole unless anoda product own WFP.

I fit disable am?

Only if anoda firewall own WFP

To disable mpssvc without replacement dey turn off Windows Defender Firewall. Add app rule for game instead. If anoda suite own di firewall, make dat product disable dis service.

Wetin go happen if I disable am?

Windows Defender Firewall go show as off. Inbound rules go stop. Third-party product fit take di slot.

Process host

mpssvc commonly dey run inside svchost.exe. To end dat host fit drop oda security services for di group. See svchost.exe.

Dependencies

Windows Defender Firewall dependencies
Depend on Windows Filtering Platform and RPC
Used by Windows Security network firewall page

Resource behavior

CPU
Low except while compiling huge rule set
Memory
Small
Network
Dis na filter, no be download client
Disk
Low

Common wahala dem

Game no fit host listen port

Add inbound rule for dat exe. No disable di service for just one title.

Two firewalls

Windows plus suite fit dey fight. Pick one owner for Windows Security.

How to troubleshoot

Safe steps first.

wf.msc or Windows Security firewall page

See which profile dey active. Di service name na mpssvc.

No "open all ports" as first step

Dat one na di same tin as off, with extra lie-lie.

Technical details

Technical details
mpssvc technical details
Display name Windows Defender Firewall
Service name mpssvc

Sources and verification

Recorded source label: August 2026. Dis label no establish independent verification. How we dey do research.

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