- Compatible with:
- Windows
- Available in:
- Desktop Security version 5
Note: The Tools dashboard is only available on Windows 10 and 11 devices.
The Tools dashboard in the Desktop Security app lets you access three tools, Windows Firewall Control, System Tweaks, and Startup Applications, that can help troubleshoot and optimize your Windows device directly from within our app. The Windows Firewall Control feature allows you to filter network traffic on your device by configuring your Windows Firewall settings. You can also use the settings in System Tweaks and Startup Applications to customize your Windows device to improve overall performance, as well as quickly identify and fix any changes needed after removing malware.
Windows Firewall Control
The Windows Firewall Control page lets you manage the settings for your built-in Windows Defender Firewall directly from within the app. You can customize your firewall settings to filter the inbound and outbound network traffic on your device and protect it from unauthorized access and threats. We do not recommend creating and deleting connection rules unless you are familiar with Windows Firewall.
For more information on using Windows Firewall Control, see the following articles:
- Manage Firewall Filtering in Desktop Security for Windows
- View Firewall Logs in Desktop Security for Windows
- Manage Firewall Connection Rules in Desktop Security for Windows
System Tweaks
Note: System Tweaks is only available on Windows 11 devices.
The System Tweaks page lets you customize a selection of Windows settings to improve your security and overall experience. It includes tools to fix common problems, adjust privacy and advertising settings, enhance performance, and make other customizations to your Windows device.
Be aware that these system tweaks can make changes directly to your Windows device and might harm its performance if not used correctly. We recommend only using System Tweaks if you are familiar with Windows settings and customization tools.
Startup Applications
Startup applications are programs that launch when you start your Windows device. They can include frequently used apps, such as Google Chrome or Outlook email, and also necessary programs for your computer to run properly.
Startup applications can impact how quickly your computer starts up and can affect your device's performance. On the Startup Applications page, you can manage which programs launch when you turn on your device. We recommend only disabling apps that you know are safe to disable.
File Shredder
The File Shredder page lets you permanently delete files or folders on your Windows device. While clicking "Delete" on a file makes it harder to access, it does not fully erase it from your device. Shredding a file ensures that the data is completely erased, reducing risk and maintaining your overall privacy and security. You may want to use this feature to protect personal or confidential information, or when disposing of old computers or sharing devices.
For more information on File Shredder, see the following articles: