Controlling how applications interact with the internet has become increasingly important—whether you’re a developer testing offline behavior, a system administrator enforcing security policies, or a privacy‑conscious user who simply wants to stop certain apps from “phoning home.”
ProcNetBlocker steps into this space as a surprisingly powerful yet refreshingly simple command‑line tool designed to give you instant, granular control over network access for any Windows application.
This review takes a deep dive into what ProcNetBlocker offers, how it works, and whether it deserves a place in your toolkit.
It’s built for:
If a program is already running and you want to cut its internet connection right away, you can block it using its PID.
If you’re comfortable with Command Prompt or PowerShell, you’ll feel right at home.
ProcNetBlocker steps into this space as a surprisingly powerful yet refreshingly simple command‑line tool designed to give you instant, granular control over network access for any Windows application.
This review takes a deep dive into what ProcNetBlocker offers, how it works, and whether it deserves a place in your toolkit.
What Is ProcNetBlocker?
ProcNetBlocker is a portable Windows command‑line utility that allows you to block or unblock network access for specific processes or executable files—instantly and without navigating complex firewall menus.
It’s built for:
- System administrators
- Developers
- Cybersecurity testers
- Power users
- Anyone who wants fine‑grained control over application network behavior
The tool works by interacting with Windows Firewall rules behind the scenes, but it abstracts away all the complexity. You run a simple command, and the network access is blocked or restored immediately.
Key Features (and Why They Matter)
1. Block Network Access by Process ID (PID)
If a program is already running and you want to cut its internet connection right away, you can block it using its PID.
This is incredibly useful for:
- Stopping suspicious behavior
- Preventing auto‑updates
- Testing offline functionality
- Controlling bandwidth usage
Example:
procnetblocker.exe --block 1234
2. Block Network Access by EXE Path
This is where ProcNetBlocker shines for long‑term control.
You can block an application permanently by specifying its executable path.
Example:
procnetblocker.exe --block "D:\NewBrowser\Browser.exe" --exe
This ensures that even if the app restarts or spawns new processes, it stays blocked.
This ensures that even if the app restarts or spawns new processes, it stays blocked.
3. Unblock Network Access
Restoring access is just as simple:
procnetblocker.exe --unblock 1234
Restoring access is just as simple:
procnetblocker.exe --unblock 1234
4. Check Network Status
You can quickly verify whether a process or EXE is currently blocked:
procnetblocker.exe --status 1234
5. Portable, No Installation Needed
ProcNetBlocker is a standalone EXE, meaning:
- No installation
- No registry changes
- No dependencies
- Easy to carry on a USB drive
This makes it ideal for IT professionals who work across multiple machines.
6. 100% Free
The tool is completely free to use, which is rare for utilities offering this level of control.
Hands‑On Experience: How It Feels to Use
ProcNetBlocker is unapologetically minimalistic. There’s no GUI, no clutter, and no learning curve beyond a handful of commands.
If you’re comfortable with Command Prompt or PowerShell, you’ll feel right at home.
🔸Speed & Responsiveness
Commands execute instantly. Blocking or unblocking a process takes less than a second.
🔸Reliability
Because it relies on Windows Firewall, the behavior is consistent and predictable.
You don’t have to worry about breaking system components or interfering with unrelated services.
Use Cases That Stand Out
👉 Stopping apps from sending telemetry
Many modern apps send usage data in the background. ProcNetBlocker lets you stop that without uninstalling or modifying the app.
Many modern apps send usage data in the background. ProcNetBlocker lets you stop that without uninstalling or modifying the app.
👉 Preventing forced updates
Some software updates automatically—even when you don’t want them to. Blocking the EXE path solves this instantly.
👉 Testing offline behavior
Developers can simulate offline environments without disconnecting the entire machine.
👉 Sandboxing suspicious programs
If you’re testing a new or unknown application, blocking its network access adds a layer of safety.
System Requirements
According to the official page, ProcNetBlocker supports:
- Windows 7, 8, 10, 11
- Windows Server (64‑bit)
- Requires administrator privileges
- Windows Firewall service must be running
✅ Pros
- Instant network blocking for any process
- Block by PID or EXE path
- Portable and lightweight
- No installation required
- Free to use
- Ideal for developers, IT admins, and security testers
- Simple, fast, and reliable
❌ Cons
- No graphical interface (CLI only)
- Requires admin privileges
- Not ideal for non‑technical users
- Limited to Windows environments
Who Should Use ProcNetBlocker?
ProcNetBlocker is perfect for:
- Developers - Test how your app behaves offline without disabling your entire network.
- System Administrators - Enforce network restrictions quickly and consistently.
- Cybersecurity Professionals - Sandbox unknown or risky applications.
- Privacy‑Focused Users - Stop apps from sending telemetry or communicating without permission.
- Gamers - Block game launchers from auto‑updating or consuming bandwidth.
Final Verdict: Is ProcNetBlocker Worth Using?
Absolutely—ProcNetBlocker is one of the simplest yet most effective network‑control utilities available for Windows.
It’s lightweight, fast, and powerful, offering precise control without the complexity of configuring firewall rules manually.
If you’re a developer, IT professional, or privacy‑conscious user, this tool deserves a spot in your toolkit.
Its combination of portability, zero cost, and instant results makes it a standout utility in a crowded landscape of bloated software.