Lock down a Windows computer

1. Turn off Remote Desktop

Remote Desktop lets someone control this computer from far away. If you do not use it, turn it off.

1. Click Start, then Settings, then System, then Remote Desktop.
2. Switch Remote Desktop to Off.

If you cannot find this switch, your computer may have Windows Home. Windows Home cannot host Remote Desktop, so there is nothing to turn off.

2. Turn off file and printer sharing you do not need

1. Click Start, then Settings.
2. In the search box at the top ("Find a setting"), type manage advanced sharing settings and choose Manage advanced sharing settings from the results.
3. Under Private networks and Public networks, switch off Network discovery and File and printer sharing unless you use them.

See what you are sharing: open File Explorer, type \localhost in the address bar at the top and press Enter. It lists the folders you have shared over the network. Your own personal folders may show up there too. That does not mean they are shared with other people.

3. Check that the firewall is on

1. Open the Windows Security app.
2. Click Firewall & network protection.
3. For each network type (Domain, Private and Public), the Microsoft Defender Firewall should say On. If it is Off, switch it on.

4. Keep Windows updated

Open Settings, then Windows Update, and click Check for updates. Install what it finds, and restart when it asks.

5. Run the check again

Go back to the free check to see if the warning is gone.