Easy Ways to Block Internet Connection for CorelDRAW

Download Article

Use your firewall to block CorelDRAW from connecting to the Internet

Written by Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: July 30, 2026 Fact Checked

Download Article

Windows

|

Mac

|

FAQ

|

Video

Whether you’re trying to prevent forced updates or keep CorelDRAW from repeatedly trying to verify your license, there are a few reasons it can be helpful to prevent CorelDRAW from accessing the internet. The best way to do this is to block the app’s outbound traffic using your computer’s firewall. You can easily block both inbound and outbound traffic with the built-in Windows firewall. If you’re using a Mac, you’ll need to install a third-party firewall program.

Ways to Block CorelDRAW From the Internet

In Windows, open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security and create new Outbound and Inbound Rules to block CorelDRAW.
On a Mac, install a third-party firewall app that allows you to create outbound rules.
It may also be helpful to turn off automatic updates in CorelDRAW.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Windows

Download Article

1
Open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security. The easiest way to open this app is to search "Firewall" in the Start menu (press the Win key on your keyboard and type "Firewall," which will initiate a search and display search results in your Start menu).^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source

Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

Go to source}
- Open the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security search result under the Apps header.
- If you're not using an account with administrative permissions, you may be prompted for a password before you can continue.
It's in the vertical menu in the panel on the left side of the window.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
It's in the panel on the right side of the window under the Actions header.^{[3]
X
Research source}
4
Select "Program." Since you want to block a CorelDRAW from accessing the Internet, click the radio button next to the "Program" option.
- Click Next.
5
Select the "This program path" option. This allows you to block a specific program rather than applying the rule to all programs on your computer.
This will open a new File Explorer window and allow you to select the program you want to block.^{[4]
X
Research source}
7
Double-click CorelDRW.exe. It's usually in the "Program Files" folder in your file manager (it might be labeled "Program Files" or "Program Files (x86)," depending on your version).
- Click Next.
8
Select "Block the connection". This option might be selected by default. If not, click the radio button next to "Block the connection."^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Click Next.
9
Make sure all options are checked. Check that all three "Domain," "Private," and "Public" options here are checked to block the program from the internet on all networks. By default, all these options should have a check mark next to them.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Click Next.
10
Enter a name for your new rule and click Finish. Your new Internet block will be saved to your firewall as a new rule. Make sure to enter a name you will recognize on your rules list here, like "Block Corel Connection."^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Click Finish to apply the rule.
11
Block inbound connections. While blocking outbound connections may be enough, it’s a good idea to prevent inbound connections as well. To do so:
- Click Inbound Rules at the top left side of the main Firewall menu.
- Click New Rule at the top right side.
- Click the radio button next to "Program" and click Next.
- Select the "This program path" option.
- Click Browse and navigate to the "CorelDRW.exe" file. Double-click it or select Open.
- Select "Block the connection" and click Next.
- Make sure "Domain," "Private," and "Public" are all checked. Click Next.
- Give the rule a name (such as "Block CorelDRAW Inbound") and click Finish.
12
Disable auto-updates. This step will also help ensure that CorelDRAW doesn’t force any updates on you or use the updater to access the internet. Here’s how to turn off automatic updates:^{[8]
X
Research source}
- In the CorelDRAW app, click Help > Product Details.
- Scroll down and click Messaging Settings.
- In the window that pops up, uncheck "Automatically download free product updates." You might also want to uncheck "Keep me informed with the latest product-related messages" and set "Receive updates/offers as tray notifications" to Do not show me tray messages for this application.
- Click OK.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Mac

Download Article

1
Install a third-party firewall application. While you can block incoming internet connections for programs on a Mac, there’s no built-in way to do it for outbound connections. In order to block all internet access for CorelDRAW on your Mac, you’ll need a third-party app.
- Some popular options that offer outbound filtering include Little Snitch, Vallum, and Radio Silence. While all of these apps are paid, they only require a one-time license fee rather than a subscription.
- Some of these apps, like Radio Silence, can also help you detect sneaky background processes that some apps use to connect to the internet.
2
Block all incoming and outgoing connections for CorelDRAW. The correct way to do this will vary depending on the firewall app you’re using. Look for the option to create rules for specific apps or programs. Make sure you block both incoming and outgoing connections for the CorelDRAW app.
3
Disable automatic updates. The best way to do this depends on whether you installed the CorelDRAW app from the App Store or from somewhere else (e.g., from the CorelDRAW website).
- From the App Store: Open the App Store and click the App Store menu at the top of the screen. Select Settings and uncheck "Automatic Updates".
- From any other source: In the CorelDRAW app, click the CorelDRAW menu at the top of the screen and select Message Settings. Uncheck the option to automatically download updates.
4
Kill the Update Helper Task Agent. The Mac version of CorelDRAW includes an update helper agent that runs in the background, which may get around your attempts to block internet access. To disable this agent, open the Terminal app on your Mac. It’s in Apps > Utilities. Enter each of the following commands and press Return after each one. Enter your computer’s admin password if prompted:
- launchctl unload /Library/LaunchAgents/CorelUpdateHelperTask.plist
- sudo rm /Library/LaunchAgents/CorelUpdateHelperTask.plist
- killall CUHARM64

Common Questions: Blocking Corel Draw from the Internet

Will blocking CorelDraw from the internet disable automatic updates?

While Blocking CorelDraw from the internet will prevent the app from connecting to the update server, you'll still need to disable updates manually. You can turn off automatic updates in the App Store (Mac) or Microsoft Store (Windows) for the app, and/or disable automatic updates in CorelDraw's settings.

Why does CorelDraw need internet access if it's an offline design tool?

CorelDraw will need access to the internet to verify your subscription and to authenticate your version of the software. You'll also need to allow CorelDraw access to the internet to download clipart, fonts, and stock photos from their gallery.

Can a blocked application still communicate over a local network (LAN)?

If you block an application from accessing the internet in your Windows or Mac firewall settings, it won't be able to communicate on the LAN. If you still want the app to be able to access other devices on your LAN, you'll need to block the app's internet access on your router or external firewall.