PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition for Windows

By PC Tools
Free
User Rating

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Key Details of PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition

Protect your computer from intruders and malicious network traffic.
Last updated on February 29, 2024
There have been 8 updates
Also available on
Virus scan status:
Clean (it's extremely likely that this software program is clean)

The product has been discontinued by PC Tools and is no longer available for download or use. Download.com offers no downloadable file for this product and presents data on the last available version for informational purposes only.

Developer's Description

Protect your computer from intruders and malicious network traffic.

PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition is a powerful personal free firewall for Microsoft Windows that protects your computer from hackers and intruders. Firewalls control the network traffic in and out of your PC by monitoring applications that connect to the network. Firewall Plus can stop Trojans, backdoors, and keyloggers from damaging your computer and stealing your private information. PC Tools Firewall Plus is advanced technology designed specially for people, not experts. Powerful prevention against attacks and known exploits is activated by default and advanced users can also easily create their own packet filtering rules to customize the network defenses. The program is recommended for use alongside of AntiSpyware and Antivirus software like AVG or Spyware Doctor to protect PC against Spyware, hackers, worms, and viruses.

PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition for Windows

By PC Tools
Free
User Rating

Download.com has chosen not to provide a direct-download link for this product and offers this page for informational purposes only.

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: September 29, 2009

Latest update: February 29, 2024

Version: 6.0.0.74

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows Vista
Windows XP
Windows 10

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 1,299,170

Downloads Last Week: 0

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User Reviews

3.2/5

444 User Votes

Does not work on Win 8.1
steveos001!October 17, 2015
Pros
Works fine on Win7 i use it on 2 machines
Cons
Compatibility problems Win 8.1, will not uninstall properly and disables Wireless Internet. To re-enable go to adapter settings and uncheck PC Tools Firewall Driver
Summary
Get a newer product
VERY EFFICIENT
jnupinJanuary 26, 2015
Pros
- easy to use; - automatic settings; - efficient - compatible with many antivirus
Cons
- no objection.
Summary
- simple, light and efficient.
The best free firewall I've ever had
heeed11uknwMarch 15, 2013
Pros
Good, good, good,...... Easy to use, install, operate. Dependable
Cons
None what so ever in my best knowledge
Summary
I really don't get all these dissatisfaction and problems people are conveying here. Really like to get it! I've had Pc tools along with avast for years. Both on my Pc and laptop till few months back. They were compatible and not even once had problem or infection. Now that I've bought my new Vaio(love this Sony btw!) that comes with Kasperski per-installed, thought of uninstalling it for I'm fed up with it's pup ups! and install Avast along with PC tools BUT to be honest all these negative comments got to me and since I'm not a Pc savvy ..........!!! wish i knew what best to do.
DOING THE JOB ON TWO Win7 64-bit Notebooks
ThomasinaPaineFebruary 22, 2013
Pros
I had no problem with installing this firewall on a Compaq and Toshiba Win7 64-bit dual cone laptops. Have been using it for around 6 months and have fiddles around with the settings a bit. Application blocking particularly to see what is crucial. It has been an education, and I've learned a lot :) I tried ZA and Comodo and MS Essentials. The first two were ARGHH! maddening! Hard to understand and adjust settings onunless you're an accomplished geek. (I'm not, but I hand in there...heh) MS Essentials didn't seem to do much of anything. PCTools FW actually obeys ms when I block something from connecting to the internet <g> I've been well pleased, felt a little more "in control" with the newest version. I also run Kingsoft AV (along with its partner Kingsoft PCDoctor) along with SAS and Malwarebytes, CacheCleaner and Glary's and never seem to get invaded by anything. SO...I'm pretty pleased...or pretty deluded one!
Cons
I deducted one star because I think ANY security software should tell you what all those dang "svchost.exe files that you see in TaskManager running processes actually are LINKED to...! I mean,why not tell us, you know? LOL.
Summary
I tried MANY more than I mentioned above and decided for free (Since F-Secure costs now) I don't think you can beat PCTOOLS Firewall :)
love the firewall and its services.
Lonnie6aaFebruary 8, 2013
Pros
for free ware it has all the bells and whistle that should come with paid subscriptions. Gives me the peace of mind that I had even with a full paid subscription to kaspersky.
Cons
none that i have found
Summary
I love this firewall and have recommended it to numerous of my family members and friends.
Now retired by PC Tools, but good while it lasted...
johntdrumsNovember 2, 2012
Pros
This WAS a very dependable and capable free Firewall. PC Tools have retired it now and have instead incorporated it into their Internet Security Suite (thanks to their merger with Symantec). HOWEVER, after uninstalling it (since it's no longer 'updateable') you might be faced with some problems.... See "Cons"
Cons
After uninstalling this great program (using Revo Uninstaller and doing a 'forced uninstall' to find extra little bits), I was still left with some "PC Tools Drivers" in my Device Manager. I had been trying for months to uninstall or delete these annoying network devices which didn't serve any purpose other than to sit there in my Device Manager with a little yellow exclamation mark saying they didn't work... but to no avail! Finally, after heaps of internet searching, I found the solution - yay!!! Ironically, it was from a PC Tools Moderator, but you can't find it on their website! See my summary below for the fix...
Summary
The problem many people have with PC Tools Firewall Plus is that since the program was retired many users have decided to uninstall it from their computers. The trouble is that it leaves the PC Tools Drivers in your PC's Device Manager with no possible way to uninstall them. BUT, I managed to find a solution... Here is the best way to uninstall these drivers: 1. Click on "Start" (or the Windows logo at the bottom left of your computer screen). 2. Click on Run (or type "Run" into 'All Programs',) then type in 'regedit', then press OK. You may have to sign in as an administrator. 3. Go to registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root\S4_PCTDRIVERMP\... You will find some sub-keys: 0000, 0001, etc. 4. Open a sub-key and look for a value with the name "Driver". It should contain something like {4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002bE10318}\00xx, where xx = a digit. It may also state the name of the PC Tools driver involved. If it does, this is your culprit. 5. Now, go back up and open the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002bE10318} and click on this to find the sub-key 00xx, where xx = the same as above. 6. Find the value called "Characteristics". Click on this and change the value from 29 to 1. Please note: If a key does not contain the name "Characteristics", you can create a "REG_DWORD" value by going to 'Edit' - 'New' - 'DWORD (32-bit) Value', then rename it "Characteristics". Make the value "1" for each relevant key. 7. Repeat stages 4 to 6 for each appropriate PC Tools sub-key found in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\ENUM\Root\S4_PCTDRIVERMP\... 8. Restart your computer and then uninstall the PCTools Drivers using Device Manager. This method was originally posted by "Alexey", a moderator from PC Tools. There were many posts back and forth because of discrepancies and misunderstandings. However, I edited the whole thing to make it easier to understand. After months of trying to find a solution, even with Alexey's original "hard-to-follow" description that I had to deal with, I tried this method and it actually worked. I hope it works for you too! Cheers...
Almost had to reinstall XP
ChrisGDMAJuly 4, 2012
Pros
Pros? Are you f-ing kiddin'?
Cons
The firewall didn't even install properly. When reaching the last step of installation, pressing "next" made my PC go a fraction of a second into the blue screen of death and restart itself. Loaded the fail-safe defaults from Bios, booted into XP in safe mode, logged into my administrator account, tried to uninstall this firewall and BAM: blue screen of death and another self-restart. Tried to uninstall it with CCleaner in safe mode (awesome software I really love for keeping my PC clean), but again the uninstaller starts, I agree to uninstall this firewall and BAM-BAM: blue screen of death and self-restart. I had to go to Program Files and delete the installation folder and my PC seems to work alright once again.
Summary
This is an XP crasher! I hate it, it's an abomination and I can't believe crap like this invaded CNET lately. Download and use at your own risk, folks. I'm going to look for a good firewall that won't destroy my PC.
does the job reqd
sakshambhatlaJune 10, 2012
Pros
easy to use. set it up in mnutes. windows firewall is such a pain
Cons
no complains yet
Summary
Numero UNO!
LiliaMSUApril 12, 2012
Pros
The best! Your search for the best Firewall stops here!
Cons
The best! The best! The best!
Summary
The best firewall! Not long ago someone won a security suite (antivirus and firewall) and asked me if I wanted it. I said no thank you - I am very happy with PC Tools!
Do not install on Windows 7 64 bit, reinstalled Windows
April 9, 2012
Pros
Old versions used to be good on Windows XP.
Cons
Old versions used to be good on Windows XP.
Summary