DTF Printer Software Installation: Windows Firewall, Real-time Protection, and Allow List Setup

Supported Operating Systems: Windows 10 and Windows 11

The screenshots in this guide are from Windows 10. Menu names and locations may vary by Windows version and display language.

1. Purpose

Use this guide when Windows Security or third-party antivirus software causes installation failure, blocks software, or prevents the software from connecting to the printer.

Follow this guide when installing a DTF Printer Control Software, or RIP Software.

Important:

  • Only turn off security features temporarily. Do not leave them off.
  • Turn the security features back on after installation or troubleshooting. See Section 5.
  • If the software is blocked again, configure Microsoft Defender Exclusions or the firewall allow list. See Sections 6 and 7.

Important: Third-Party Antivirus Software

Third-party antivirus software, such as McAfee, Norton, Avast, AVG, or Kaspersky, may delete installation files or block software installation. Follow these steps in order:

  • Pause real-time protection in the third-party antivirus software. Only pause it during installation or troubleshooting. Turn it back on when finished. 
  • If the software still cannot be installed, uninstall the antivirus software and continue the installation. After installation, reinstall the antivirus software or install another security program. 
  • If the third-party security software includes its own firewall, add the printer control software or RIP software to its allow list. Check this setting even after completing Sections 3 and 7. 

Antivirus software interfaces vary. Follow the official instructions provided by the software vendor.

2. Temporarily Turn Off Real-time Protection

2.1 Open Windows Security

  1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
  2. Click Update & Security.
  3. Click Windows Security on the left. The Windows Security page opens.

(See Fig.2.1-1/Fig.2.1-2)

Note: The menu path to Windows Security can be different for each Windows version. Use the correct path for your version.

Fig.2.1-1 Click Update & Security

2.1-1-Click-Update-&-Security
Fig.2.1-2 Click Windows Security

2.1-2-Click-Windows-Security

2.2 Open Virus & threat protection

On the Windows Security page, click Virus & threat protection.

(See Fig.2.2)

Fig.2.2 Click Virus & threat protection

2.2-Click-Virus-&-threat-protection

2.3 Open Manage settings

  1. On the Virus & threat protection page, find Virus & threat protection settings.
  2. Click Manage settings.

(See Fig.2.3)

Note: If the Real-time protection switch is missing or unavailable, or if the page states that another app manages this setting, third-party antivirus software may control the setting. Follow the instructions in Section 1. Then return to this step.

Fig.2.3 Click Manage settings

2.3-Click-Manage-settings

2.4 Turn Off Real-time protection

  1. Find Real-time protection. Turn it off.
  2. A User Account Control window may appear. If it does, click Yes.

(See Fig.2.4-1/Fig.2.4-2)

Fig.2.4-1 Turn off Real time protection

2.4-1-Turn-off-Real-time-protection
Fig.2.4-2 Click Yes in the User Account Control window

2.4-2-Click-Yes-in-the-User-Account-Control-window

Note: The same User Account Control window may appear again later in this guide. If it does, click Yes again. This guide will not show this image again.

Important:

  • Real-time protection is now off. Microsoft Defender Antivirus does not scan files or programs in real time while this setting is off. Only turn it off during installation or troubleshooting.
  • Turn Real-time protection back on after you finish. See Section 5.

3. Temporarily Turn Off the Firewall

3.1 Open Firewall & network protection

  1. Go back to the Windows Security home page.
  2. Click Firewall & network protection.

(See Fig.3.1)

Fig.3.1 Click Firewall & network protection

3.1-Click-Firewall-&-network-protection

3.2 Temporarily Turn Off All Three Firewall Profiles

  1. On the Firewall & network protection page, click Domain network. Turn off Microsoft Defender Firewall. A User Account Control window may appear. If it does, click Yes.
  2. Go back. Click Private network. Repeat the same steps.
  3. Go back. Click Public network. Repeat the same steps.

(See Fig.3.2-1/Fig.3.2-2)

Fig.3.2-1 Click a network type to open its settings (Domain network shown)

3.2-1-Click-a-network-type-to-open-its-settings-(Domain-network-shown)
Fig.3.2-2 Turn off Microsoft Defender Firewall

3.2-2-Turn-off-Microsoft-Defender-Firewall

Note:

  • Windows uses a different firewall profile for each network type. Turn off all three profiles: Domain network, Private network, and Public network. This prevents the active firewall profile from being missed. You do not need to check which network you are using first.
  • Your printer may connect through a USB-to-Ethernet adapter. If so, your computer may use two network connections at the same time. For example, Wi-Fi and a wired connection. These two connections may use different firewall profiles.
  • Turn all three firewall profiles back on after installation or troubleshooting. See Section 5.

4. Install or Test the Software

Install or test the software again now.

  • If the software installs or runs correctly, go to Section 5.
  • If the software still does not install or run correctly, turn the Windows security features back on first. See Section 5. The problem is probably not caused by the Windows security features. Check whether the installation package is complete. Check the printer driver version, software permission settings, and network connection. If the cause is unclear, contact LINKO Technical Support.

5. Turn Windows Security Back On and Test Again

Turn the following back on after installation or troubleshooting. Use the same steps as before.

  • Real-time protection. See Section 2 for the steps.
  • Microsoft Defender Firewall: Domain network, Private network, and Public network. See Section 3 for the steps.

Confirm that all of these show On.

Restart the software. Then check the following:

  • The software starts correctly.
  • The printer driver loads correctly.
  • The software connects to the printer.
  • The software communicates with the printer correctly.

Result:

  • If all checks are normal, go to Section 8 to complete the final check.
  • If installation files are deleted or quarantined, the software does not start, or the printer driver does not load, go to Section 6. Set up Microsoft Defender Exclusions.
  • If the software starts but cannot connect to the printer, or network communication fails, go to Section 7. Allow the software through Microsoft Defender Firewall.

6. Set Up Microsoft Defender Exclusions

Only use this section if one of these is true:

  • Installation files are deleted or quarantined.
  • Microsoft Defender Antivirus blocks a software file.
  • The software does not start after Real-time protection is turned back on.
  • Microsoft Defender Antivirus blocks a printer driver file.

Note: Exclusions prevent Microsoft Defender Antivirus from scanning the selected file, folder, or process. Exclusions do not resolve network communication problems caused by the firewall. If the software starts but cannot connect to the printer, go directly to Section 7.

6.1 Open Exclusions

  1. Follow Sections 2.1 to 2.3 again. This opens the Manage settings page.
  2. Scroll down. Find Exclusions. Click Add or remove exclusions.
  3. A User Account Control window may appear. If it does, click Yes.

(See Fig.6.1)

Fig.6.1 Click Add or remove exclusions

6.1-Click-Add-or-remove-exclusions

6.2 Find the Software Installation Folder

  • If you already know the installation folder, go directly to Section 6.3.
  • If you do not know the installation folder, follow these steps:
  1. Find the software shortcut on the desktop.
  2. Right-click the shortcut.
  3. Click Open file location. This opens the software folder.
  4. Check the address bar at the top of File Explorer. Note this folder location.

(See Fig.6.2-1/Fig.6.2-2)

Note: This folder usually contains the main program and related files. You will select this folder in the next step.

Fig.6.2-1 Click Open file location

6.2-1-Click-Open-file-location
Fig.6.2-2 Check the installation folder path

6.2-2-Check-the-installation-folder-path

6.3 Add the Software Installation Folder

  1. Click Add an exclusion.
  2. Select Folder from the menu.
  3. Select the folder from Section 6.2.
  4. Click Select Folder to finish.

(See Fig.6.3-1/Fig.6.3-2/Fig.6.3-3/Fig.6.3-4)

Fig.6.3-1 Click Add an exclusion

6.3-1-Click-Add-an-exclusion
Fig.6.3-2 Select Folder

6.3-2-Select-Folder
Fig.6.3-3 Select the installation folder, then click Select Folder

6.3-3-Select-the-installation-folder,-then-click-Select-Folder
Fig.6.3-4 The folder is added to the exclusion list

6.3-4-The-folder-is-added-to-the-exclusion-list

Note: We recommend adding the entire installation folder. This reduces the risk of the software being blocked again after an update. If only one file is blocked, such as a printer driver installer (.exe), select File instead of Folder in Step 2. Then add that file. Select Process only when instructed by LINKO Technical Support.

6.4 Recommended Exclusions

Add the installation folder for the software you installed.

Software Type Recommended Exclusion Default Installation Path — Reference Only
PrintFactory RIP Software PrintFactory installation folder C:Program FilesPrintFactory
PrintExp Printer Control Software PrintExp installation folder Varies by installation. See Section 6.2.

Note: Installation paths may vary by software version and installation method. Use the listed path as a reference only. Follow Section 6.2 to find the actual installation folder.

6.5 Confirm the Exclusion Works

  • Restart the software after you add the exclusion.
  • Repeat the action that failed before.
  • Confirm the software now works correctly.

If the problem is related to network communication, go to Section 7. If another problem remains, contact LINKO Technical Support.

7. Allow the Software Through Microsoft Defender Firewall

Only use this section if one of these is true:

  • The software starts, but cannot connect to the printer.
  • The computer detects the printer, but the software cannot communicate with it.
  • The software connects when the firewall is off. It fails when the firewall is back on.

Steps:

  1. Open Windows Security.
  2. Click Firewall & network protection.
  3. Click Allow an app through firewall.
  4. Click Change settings.
  5. A User Account Control window may appear. If it does, click Yes.
  6. Find the corresponding printer control software or RIP software in the list. It may not be there. If so, click Allow another app to add it.
  7. Check the box for your current network type. Check Private, Public, or both.
  8. Click OK to save.
  9. Restart the software. Test the connection again.

(See Fig.7-1/Fig.7-2/Fig.7-3)

Fig.7-1 Click Allow an app through firewall

7-1-Click-Allow-an-app-through-firewall
Fig.7-2 Click Change settings

7-2-Click-Change-settings
Fig.7-3 Check the network type and allow the app

7-3-Check-the-network-type-and-allow-the-app

Note: Your computer may have a third-party security suite with its own firewall. Examples: Norton and Kaspersky. If so, add the installed printer control software or RIP software to the allow list in that firewall too. This may still be necessary even after you complete the steps above.

If the problem continues, contact LINKO Technical Support.

8. Final Check

Confirm the following:

  • Real-time protection shows On.
  • Microsoft Defender Firewall shows On for Domain network, Private network, and Public network.
  • The installed software starts correctly.
  • The printer driver loads correctly.
  • The software connects to the printer correctly.
  • The software communicates with the printer correctly.

If all items above are correct, this procedure is complete. If any issue remains, contact LINKO Technical Support.

LINKO Technical Support
Email: support@dtflinko.com
Website: www.dtflinko.com

© 2026 LINKO Technical Team. All rights reserved.
Reproduction or modification of this document without permission is prohibited.