Both applications are good, it depends on what you use them for and what you need. If you want it to block everything and anything that has access to the internet and doesn't send me any notifications, go with TinyWall. Now if you want to control all the apps that connect to the Internet and send you a notification whether you want to allow or block Internet access, the best choice would be WFC (Windows Firewall Control).
I've used WFC several times before, that's how I remember that I had to accept a notification to allow the Windows Antimalware service, the version of the service was included in the name of the executable, so from time to time when the service updated to a new version I had to accept it again and it would create a new firewall rule. It's the kind of crap that made me uninstall it.Both applications are good, it depends on what you use them for and what you need. If you want it to block everything and anything that has access to the internet and doesn't send me any notifications, go with TinyWall. Now if you want to control all the apps that connect to the Internet and send you a notification whether you want to allow or block Internet access, the best choice would be WFC (Windows Firewall Control).
There is a 'Special exceptions' (IIRC) section in the GUI where you can allow Defender updates. It isn't enabled automatically, but must be enabled by users after installation. After enabling it, Defender updates without any further interaction.
TinyWall is no longer developed. It has been in maintenance status for years. It might work. It might not work.
It says "Version 3.4.1 (2025.04.06)". Is it just maintenance?
Indeed, someone is spreading FUD. All one needs to do is look at the GitHub issues page and see all the back and forth with the developer about issues.
Yes, Windows services and TinyWall itself are whitelisted so it will notify you when a new version is released. Other browsers and other programs, you need to give permission manually in the settings in TinyWall by the executable file or by the service, I don't know if you know TinyWall doesn't notify you when it blocks an application from accessing the web. By default, TinyWall blocks literally everything, of course. You decide which application or service you want to give access to the Internet, understand? Unlike WFC, which shows you a notification when an application is going to connect to the web, and you decide whether to allow or block it, TinyWall doesn't warn you - that's what sets it apart. When I used it, I liked that it was what I wanted, but for users with little knowledge, they'll have trouble understanding the logic behind what to allow and what to block.
Smart Firewall isn't a firewall. It merely adds rules to WFW like @Andy Ful's FW Hardening Tool.
Let me see if I understand the rules for blocking LOLBins?
Nope. Not FUD. Issue reports and bug fixes are not development. They are maintenance. There is a distinction between the two within software development.
