Windows Firewall is the firewall service included with desktop and server releases of Microsoft Windows from Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 onwards. A firewall is essential for keeping your PC secure from variour online threats. However, many people use a third party firewall such as those those embedded in many of today's routers or antivirus software. Usually those products do a better job than the default Windows Firewall. If you have chosen to use a third-party firewall software you should turn off Windows firewall to avoid conflicts and improve performance.