Windows 10 Problem when enabling Firewall (with Firewall exceptions) and Unified Write Filter (with UWF exclusions)

[JRN82]

Hello,


I have a problem when enabling Firewall (with Firewall exceptions) and Unified Write Filter (with UWF exclusions). I have observed this problem in the following Windows 10 versions:
- Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB 1607
- Windows 10 Enterprise 2019 LTSC 1809


The Windows 10 machine is configured as follows:
- There is an application 'X' installed in "C:\folderX" directory.
- Firewall is enabled. Application 'X' is added as an exception to Firewall.
- UWF is enabled, C:\ drive is protected by UWF and "C:\folderX" directory is added as an UWF exclusion.
- Application 'X' needs to communicate with other external machines/applications via Ethernet Network interface.


The following two scenarios are observed:
a) If both Firewall and UWF are enabled, Application 'X' does NOT communicate with external machines/applications.
b) If Firewall is disabled or UWF is disabled or both are disabled, Application 'X' does successfully communicate with external machines/applications.


How can I solve the issue in scenario a)? This is, how can I have Firewall and UWF both enabled at the same time and Application 'X' communicating to external machines/applications?


Is this a known bug to Microsoft? If yes, is there any fix?


Thanks.

Continue reading...