I finally figured out how to view network connections in real time in the Windows Firewall, just like in Avast Network Connections.
For anyone interested:
Right click on the Taskbar, and then click on Start Task Manager. Click on the Performance tab, and then click on Resource Monitor. Then click the Network tab.
The Firewall traffic can also be logged to a file that can be opened in Notepad. This logging is not set to on by default, it has to be turned.
Here is a helpful link:
To add the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security snap-in to MMC
http://forums.techarena.in/tips-tweaks/1217710.htm
Once this has been done, you can go to Windows Firewall in Control Panel, and enable logging.
Open Windows Firewall, click on Advanced settings, right click on Windows Firewall with Advanced Security on Local Computer, It’s located at the top left of the screen. Then click on properties.
Enable logging by using the customize button. Enable it in the Domain Profile, Public Profile, and Private Profile.
You will then be able to view and copy and print the log file using Notepad.