Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems78E1CD88-49E3-476E-B926-580E596AD309 is not a Windows application filename. It is a Windows Firewall rule-group identifier.
Windows can assign several firewall rules to the same group. The GUID alone does not tell you whether the rules belong to Skype, Microsoft Teams, a built-in Windows component, or another installed program. It also does not reveal the executable, ports, direction, network profiles, or remote addresses involved.
To determine what it does on your PC, inspect the rules in Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security, or query them with PowerShell.
What does 78E1CD88-49E3-476E-B926-580E596AD309 mean?
The value is a GUID used in the Group field of Windows Firewall rules. A group is a convenient way for Windows or an installed application to associate multiple inbound and outbound rules.
#1 Best Overall
- Reliable Plug and Play: The USB receiver provides a reliable wireless connection up to 33 ft (1), so you can forget about drop-outs and delays and you can take it wherever you use your computer
- Type in Comfort: The design of this keyboard creates a comfortable typing experience thanks to the low-profile, quiet keys and standard layout with full-size F-keys, number pad, and arrow keys
- Durable and Resilient: This full-size wireless keyboard features a spill-resistant design (2), durable keys and sturdy tilt legs with adjustable height
- Long Battery Life: MK270 combo features a 36-month keyboard and 12-month mouse battery life (3), along with on/off switches allowing you to go months without the hassle of changing batteries
- Easy to Use: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo features 8 multimedia hotkeys for instant access to the Internet, email, play/pause, and volume so you can easily check out your favorite sites
Microsoft Q&A testing on Windows 11 found that this identifier grouped multiple Windows-program rules. Other Microsoft Q&A reports associate the same group with Skype or Microsoft Teams. These findings are not contradictory: the rules assigned to a group can vary between computers depending on installed software and the rules present in the local firewall policy.
The most accurate description is: 78E1CD88-49E3-476E-B926-580E596AD309 is a Windows Firewall rule group, not a permanent identifier for one particular application.
Is it Remote Desktop or Skype?
Internet posts sometimes identify this GUID as Remote Desktop, while other posts call it a Skype firewall group. Neither description should be treated as a universal rule.
Microsoft Q&A reports show that Skype can create rules in this group, and another report associates it with a Microsoft Teams package named MicrosoftTeams_23119.303.2080.2726_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe. A newer Windows 11 investigation found Windows-program rules in the same group.
The GUID does not permanently mean Remote Desktop, Skype, Teams, or malware. The local rule details are the evidence you need.
Does the GUID indicate malware?
No. Seeing this identifier in the firewall interface is not, by itself, evidence of malicious software. It identifies a collection of firewall rules, not the program that owns them.
To assess a rule, check all of the following:
- the rule’s display name and description;
- the associated executable or Microsoft Store package;
- whether the rule is inbound or outbound;
- whether it allows or blocks traffic;
- the protocol and local or remote ports;
- the Domain, Private, and Public profiles enabled;
- the local and remote address scope; and
- whether the application is digitally signed and installed in a normal location.
A rule allowing a known Microsoft package on a Private profile is a different situation from an enabled inbound rule for an unsigned executable in a temporary folder. The GUID alone cannot make that distinction.
How to find the rules in Windows 11
- Open Windows Security.
- Select Firewall & network protection.
- Click Advanced settings.
- In Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security, select Inbound Rules or Outbound Rules.
- Use the Actions pane and choose Group by, then inspect the group containing 78E1CD88-49E3-476E-B926-580E596AD309.
Open an individual rule and review its General, Programs and Services, Protocols and Ports, Scope, and Advanced tabs. This shows what the rule actually permits or blocks.
Rank #2
- Reliable Plug and Play: The USB receiver provides a reliable wireless connection up to 33 ft (1), so you can forget about drop-outs and delays and you can take it wherever you use your computer
- Type in Comfort: The design of this keyboard creates a comfortable typing experience thanks to the low-profile, quiet keys and standard layout with full-size F-keys, number pad, and arrow keys
- Durable and Resilient: This full-size wireless keyboard features a spill-resistant design (2), durable keys and sturdy tilt legs with adjustable height
- Long Battery Life: MK270 combo features a 36-month keyboard and 12-month mouse battery life (3), along with on/off switches allowing you to go months without the hassle of changing batteries
- Easy to Use: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo features 8 multimedia hotkeys for instant access to the Internet, email, play/pause, and volume so you can easily check out your favorite sites
The simpler Allowed apps through firewall screen is not the complete firewall database. It may expose an application or group entry, but the advanced console contains the detailed rule objects and conditions.
Inspect the group with PowerShell
Open Windows PowerShell or Windows Terminal as an administrator and run:
Get-NetFirewallRule -Group ‘{78E1CD88-49E3-476E-B926-580E596AD309}’ | Format-List Name,DisplayName,Description,Direction,Action,Enabled,Profile,Group
This lists the rules assigned to the group and shows their direction, action, enabled state, and profiles.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Firewall rule details are split into separate filter objects. To inspect associated applications and packages, run:
$rules = Get-NetFirewallRule -Group ‘{78E1CD88-49E3-476E-B926-580E596AD309}’
$rules | Get-NetFirewallApplicationFilter
To inspect port conditions, run:
$rules = Get-NetFirewallRule -Group ‘{78E1CD88-49E3-476E-B926-580E596AD309}’
$rules | Get-NetFirewallPortFilter
These commands may return several objects. That is expected: one group can contain multiple rules, and each rule can have separate application, port, address, service, or package filters.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- 【Lag-free & Efficient】Stable and reliable connection of wireless keyboard and mouse is up to 10m(33ft). This combo share a nano USB receiver, no need to take up additional USB ports (Also the wireless keyboard and mouse can also be used separately). Plug and play, no software needed,convenient and efficient.
- 【Quiet & Type in Comfort】Wireless keyboard come with adjustable height tilt legs to increase comfort and prevent your wrists injury when typing for a long time.Our wireless keyboard adopts a silent structure. Soft membrane keys provide a quiet and comfortable typing experience.The wireless mouse is quiet without any clicking sound also.So whether at home or in the office, you can use this combo as you please without worrying about disturbing others.
- 【Full Size Keyboard】This keyboard saves desktop space while retaining its full size.The full size wireless keyboard with numeric keypad and 12 multimedia shortcut keys, such as play/ pause, volume increase and decrease, and search, to help you improve work efficiency.
- 【Auto Power Saving Function】Wireless keyboard and mouse have a smart auto-sleep mode to save power for long battery life. They will enter sleep mode after stop using a while(Refer to the instructions for details). Unplug the receiver or after the PC shutdown, they will enter sleep mode too.You can press any keys to wake. (battery life may vary based on user and computing conditions)
- 【Comfortable Optical Mouse】This silent wireless mice provides 3 adjustable DPI (800/1200/1600) to meet your different needs in terms of sensitivity.The compact lightweight design of wireless mouse and a hand-friendly contoured shape for all-day comfort, and smooth, precise tracking. Very suitable for office and daily use.
How to decide whether a rule is safe
Do not make the decision from the GUID or the profile checkboxes alone. Review the individual rules using this process:
- Identify the program. Look for the full executable path or package name. Confirm that it belongs to software you installed or to Windows.
- Check the direction. An outbound rule controls connections made by the program; an inbound rule controls connections arriving at the computer.
- Check the action. Confirm whether the rule allows or blocks traffic.
- Check the scope. Review local and remote addresses, ports, and protocols. A rule limited to a specific service or address range is narrower than one applying to any address.
- Check the profiles. Windows Firewall uses Domain, Private, and Public profiles. A Public-profile rule deserves particular attention, but the profile does not identify the application or automatically mean that every unsolicited connection is accepted.
- Verify the file. If the rule points to an executable, inspect its location and digital signature. A normal Windows or program installation path is more reassuring than a random user-writable directory, but neither location alone proves legitimacy.
Disable the group temporarily
If you need to test whether the group is responsible for a connection problem, disable the rules without deleting them:
Disable-NetFirewallRule -Group ‘{78E1CD88-49E3-476E-B926-580E596AD309}’
This affects every rule in the group, potentially across more than one application. Test the affected feature, then restore the rules with:
Enable-NetFirewallRule -Group ‘{78E1CD88-49E3-476E-B926-580E596AD309}’
Disabling is preferable to deleting while you are investigating because the original rule definitions remain available.
Delete the group rules
To permanently remove all local firewall rules assigned to this group, use:
Remove-NetFirewallRule -Group ‘{78E1CD88-49E3-476E-B926-580E596AD309}’
Rank #4
- 【Ergonomic Wireless Keyboard Mouse 】: Wireless ergonomic keyboard is equipped with adjustable height tilt legs to increase comfort and prevent your wrists injury when typing for a long time. The full size wireless keyboard with numeric keypad and 12 multimedia shortcut keys, such as play/ pause, volume increase and decrease, and email, to help you improve work efficiency
- 【Stable & Reliable Wireless Connection】: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo share the same USB receiver(stored in the mouse), and they can also be used separately. Plug & play, no need to download any software, 2.4 GHz wireless provides a powerful and reliable connection up to 33 feet(10m) without any delays.You can enjoy the convenience and freedom of wireless connection at home or at work
- 【Comfortable Optical Mouse】: This compact lightweight wireless mouse features a hand-friendly contoured shape for all-day comfort, and smooth, precise tracking.1600 DPI to meet your daily needs. Perfect for home & office work and entertainment
- 【Long Battery Life】: Up to 365 Days of battery life for keyboard and mouse wireless, say goodbye to the hassle of charging cables and replacing batteries. After 10 minutes of inactivity, the wireless keyboard mouse combo will automatically go into sleep mode to save energy. The wireless keyboard requires one AAA battery, and the wireless mouse requires one AA battery.
- 【Less Noise, More Quiet Keys】: Soft membrane keys provide a quiet and comfortable typing experience, So you can type with confidence on a wireless keyboard crafted for comfort, precision and fluidity. The wireless mouse adopts silent micro-motion technology, which is almost completely silent when clicked. No more concerns about disturbing others.
Use this only after reviewing the members. Removing the group can affect multiple Windows components or installed applications, and an application may recreate its rules after an update or repair.
| Operation | Command | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect | Get-NetFirewallRule -Group ‘…’ | Lists rules; makes no changes. |
| Disable | Disable-NetFirewallRule -Group ‘…’ | Leaves definitions in place but stops them applying. |
| Enable | Enable-NetFirewallRule -Group ‘…’ | Applies the group’s enabled rules again. |
| Remove | Remove-NetFirewallRule -Group ‘…’ | Deletes the local rule definitions. |
Do not stop the Windows Firewall service
Do not try to disable the firewall by stopping the Windows Defender Firewall service, whose service name is MpsSvc. Microsoft describes stopping that service as unsupported and warns that it can cause problems with the Start menu, Microsoft Store or modern-app installation and updates, phone activation, and other Windows features.
If you have a specific troubleshooting reason to disable all firewall profiles, use the supported profile setting instead:
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain,Public,Private -Enabled False
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Re-enable them with:
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain,Public,Private -Enabled True
The equivalent command for enabling all profiles with netsh.exe is:
netsh.exe advfirewall set allprofiles state on
Disabling all profiles is much broader than disabling the GUID’s rule group, so it should not be the first step when investigating one firewall entry.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the GUID does not tell you
| Question | Can the GUID answer it? |
|---|---|
| Which application owns the rule? | No. Inspect the application or package filter. |
| Is the rule inbound or outbound? | No. Read the rule’s Direction field. |
| Which ports are involved? | No. Query the port filter or open Protocols and Ports. |
| Does it allow or block traffic? | No. Check the Action field. |
| Is it active on public networks? | No. Check the Profile field on each rule. |
| Is it malicious? | No. Verify the associated file, publisher, scope, and behavior. |
Microsoft’s current command-line documentation covers these firewall-management commands for Windows 10, Windows 11, and supported Windows Server releases. The local rule database remains the authoritative source for what this particular GUID means on a particular PC.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteBest Value
- 【Wave Ergonomic Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo】The wireless keyboard features a wave key and wrist rest design that naturally fits your fingers and relieves wrist strain. The adjustable stand allows you to set the keyboard to the most comfortable height, making it ideal for long-term use. Note: The USB receiver is located on the back of the mouse.
- 【Wireless Optical Mouse】The wireless mouse is designed with comfort in mind, featuring a contoured shape that fits snugly in the palm and complements the natural curve of your right hand. All controls are easily within reach. This mouse is equipped with forward and back functions, allowing you to navigate the web faster and more efficiently than ever before.
- 【Plug-and-Play 2.4G Wireless Connection】One 2.4 GHz USB receiver can connect both the keyboard and mouse, or they can be used separately. Plug and play—no software download is required. The 2.4 GHz wireless connection offers a strong and reliable signal up to 33 feet (10 meters), without delays.
- 【Automatic Power Saving Function】The ULSOU wireless keyboard and mouse combo features an automatic power-saving function. After 30 seconds of inactivity on the keyboard and 15 minutes of inactivity on the mouse, both devices enter sleep mode to conserve battery life. This greatly extends battery life, and any button press will activate the devices again. The keyboard requires 1 AA battery, and the mouse requires 1 AA battery. (batteries not included).
- 【Wide Compatibility and Dual System Layout】This wireless keyboard and mouse combo is compatible with Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10/11, Mac, and other operating systems. It’s suitable for desktops, Chromebooks, PCs, laptops, and more. You can switch between Windows and macOS by pressing FN+Q or FN+W.
FAQ
Is 78E1CD88-49E3-476E-B926-580E596AD309 a virus?
Not based on the identifier alone. It is a Windows Firewall rule-group identifier. Inspect the group’s member rules, application paths, package names, ports, profiles, and signatures before deciding whether anything is suspicious.
Does this GUID always refer to Skype?
No. Microsoft Q&A reports associate it with Skype in some cases, Microsoft Teams in another case, and Windows-program rules in a newer Windows 11 test. Its members vary by system.
Is this the Windows Remote Desktop firewall rule?
That claim is repeated in older forum material, but current Microsoft Q&A evidence does not verify a permanent Remote Desktop meaning. Check the local rules instead.
Why can I see the GUID in the allowed-apps list but not a clear filename?
The allowed-apps interface can expose a firewall group rather than a single executable. Use Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security or Get-NetFirewallRule, followed by the application and port filter commands, to see the underlying details.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Can I remove the GUID from Windows Firewall?
You can remove all rules in the group with Remove-NetFirewallRule, but this may affect multiple applications or Windows components. Disable the group first for testing and take note of its member rules before deleting anything.
The Bottom Line
78E1CD88-49E3-476E-B926-580E596AD309 is a Windows Firewall rule group, not an application name and not proof of malware. It has been associated with different software and Windows rules on different computers. Use the advanced firewall console or PowerShell to identify the actual executables, packages, directions, ports, profiles, and scopes on your machine. Avoid stopping the firewall service; disable only the relevant rules or profiles using the supported Windows commands.
Further reading: Microsoft Q&A investigation of the GUID and Microsoft’s Windows Firewall command-line documentation.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
