Adobe Photoshop is one of the most powerful design tools, but sometimes you may want to restrict its internet access. The reasons vary—some users prefer to block Photoshop from checking for updates automatically, while others want to stop it from sending data online.
The good news is that Windows provides a built-in tool called Windows Defender Firewall that can block any program, including Photoshop, from connecting to the internet.
In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you step by step on how to block Photoshop’s internet access using both Inbound and Outbound rules in the firewall. We’ll also cover why this works, precautions you should take, and common troubleshooting scenarios.
1. Why Would You Want to Block Photoshop’s Internet Access?
Before diving into the steps, let’s pause and understand why someone might want to do this.
- Prevent auto-updates: Some designers prefer to work with a specific version of Photoshop for compatibility. Updates may disrupt their workflow.
- Save bandwidth: On limited connections, background network activity can be a problem.
- Security/privacy: Advanced users may prefer limiting what data Photoshop sends back to Adobe servers.
- Offline workflow: If Photoshop is only being used locally, internet access isn’t required.
⚠️ Important: Blocking internet access may prevent certain features like Adobe Cloud sync, Adobe Fonts, or licensing verification. Make sure you understand the impact before applying the block.
2. What Is Windows Firewall and How Does It Work?
Windows Defender Firewall is a built-in security feature that controls how apps and programs communicate over the internet. It allows you to:
- Inbound rules: Control traffic coming into your computer.
- Outbound rules: Control traffic going out of your computer.
By creating custom rules, you can block Photoshop from sending or receiving any data online.
3. Step 1 – Open Windows Defender Firewall
Let’s begin.
- Click on the Start menu and type:
Windows Defender Firewall - Click on the result to open it.
- You’ll now see the Firewall dashboard with options on the left-hand panel.
4. Step 2 – Go to Advanced Settings
The basic firewall view doesn’t give enough control. We need Advanced Settings.
- On the left-hand panel, click Advanced settings.
- This opens the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security window.
- Here you’ll see two main sections we’ll use:
- Inbound Rules
- Outbound Rules
Both will need to be configured to completely block Photoshop’s internet access.
5. Step 3 – Create an Inbound Rule for Photoshop
Inbound rules control incoming traffic.
- In the left menu, click Inbound Rules.
- On the right side, click New Rule….
- In the wizard that opens, choose Program → Click Next.
- Select This program path.
- Click Browse and navigate to the Photoshop installation directory. Usually:
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop 2024\Photoshop.exe(Path may vary depending on your version, such as 2023, 2025, etc.) - Select the Photoshop executable and click Next.
- Choose Block the connection → Click Next.
- You’ll see three profile options:
- Domain
- Private
- Public
Leave all of them ticked → Click Next.
- Give the rule a name (e.g., Photoshop Inbound Block).
- Click Finish.
✅ Photoshop is now blocked from receiving any incoming network requests.
6. Step 4 – Create an Outbound Rule for Photoshop
Next, we need to block outgoing traffic.
- In the left menu, click Outbound Rules.
- On the right side, click New Rule….
- Select Program and click Next.
- Again, browse to the Photoshop installation folder and select
Photoshop.exe. - Click Next.
- Choose Block the connection.
- Leave Domain, Private, and Public all checked.
- Click Next.
- Name the rule something like Photoshop Outbound Block.
- Click Finish.
✅ Photoshop is now fully blocked from both sending and receiving data online.
7. Step 5 – Verify Photoshop Is Blocked
Now that both inbound and outbound rules are set:
- Restart Photoshop.
- Try performing any task that requires internet (like Adobe Cloud). It should fail.
- Your offline editing will still work perfectly fine.
8. Alternative Methods to Restrict Internet Access
If you prefer not to use the firewall method, there are other approaches:
- Disable network adapter: Temporarily turn off internet while working in Photoshop.
- Use third-party firewall tools: Some software provides a friendlier interface for blocking apps.
- Router-level blocking: Advanced users can block Photoshop’s internet requests directly at the router.
However, the built-in Windows Firewall method is the most reliable and doesn’t require extra software.
9. Best Practices and Warnings
Let’s move to some important notes before you rely on this method:
- Blocking Photoshop may stop Adobe account login, updates, and syncing.
- Always test after applying firewall rules to ensure you’re not breaking features you need.
- If you ever want to re-enable access, just go back to Inbound Rules/Outbound Rules and disable or delete the Photoshop rules.
- Keep a record of what rules you create, so you can easily undo them later.
10. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, things don’t work as expected. Here are common scenarios:
- Photoshop still connects online → Double-check that you created both inbound and outbound rules.
- Multiple Photoshop versions installed → Make sure you selected the correct
Photoshop.exe. - Firewall service disabled → Ensure Windows Firewall is turned on in Control Panel.
- Other Adobe apps still connect → Remember, this guide only blocks Photoshop. You’d need to repeat for other apps like Illustrator or Premiere Pro.
11. FAQs
Q1: Can I block only updates but still allow Photoshop online?
No, Windows Firewall blocks the entire app. To control specific functions, you’d need advanced filtering tools or proxy settings.
Q2: Will blocking Photoshop cause it to stop working?
No, the core app works offline. But features like Adobe Fonts, stock image libraries, or cloud storage won’t work.
Q3: Can I apply this method on Windows 10 too?
Yes, the steps are identical in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Q4: What if I reinstall Photoshop?
If the installation path changes, you may need to update the firewall rules with the new path.
Q5: Can this block be bypassed?
Yes, any admin user can delete the firewall rules. This method isn’t bulletproof against other users.
12. Final Thoughts
Blocking Photoshop’s internet access with Windows Firewall is a clean and effective method to take control of how the app communicates online. By setting up both Inbound and Outbound rules, you ensure Photoshop stays offline while still functioning perfectly for local editing.
This approach is especially useful for users who want a distraction-free, stable workflow with no auto-updates interfering. However, always keep in mind the limitations—cloud-based features won’t work while Photoshop is blocked.
If you ever need to restore internet access, simply disable or remove the rules you created.
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only. Blocking Adobe Photoshop from the internet may affect licensing, updates, or other online features. Use this method responsibly and only if you understand the consequences.
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#Photoshop #Windows11 #Firewall #BlockInternet #Adobe #dtptips
