Problem With Windows XP Pro Firewall

[Dreamspinner3]

I recently ran Windows Update and now I have a problem with WinXP
Pro's built-in firewall; I always have it turned off becuase I use a
3rd party firewall and don't want conflict between the two. Suddenly,
since the update, I'm getting pop-up boxes from WinXP's firewall &
went I went to the Security Center and Windowsnow I can't use the
Windows Firewall tool in Control Panel to turn off the Windows
Firewall or to configure Windows Firewall settings on the Windows XP
SP2 on my computer. Some options are appear dimmed, and I get this
message For your security, some settings are controlled by Group
Policy.

What is this "group policy" thing? I never heard of this Windows XP
option before. My machine is a single home PC on a high-speed
connecton to the Internet. It is a single home PC, I have full
admininstrator rights.


How do I fix my PC so that this "group policy" is no longer in
effect? I'm not a total PC novice, but this Group Policy issues is
totally new to me, so can someone explain it to me in simple terms?

 

[GateKeeper]

If you are in a Windows Small Business Server 2003 environment.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/872769

 

[Dreamspinner3]

If you are in a Windows Small Business Server 2003 environment.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/872769

I'm not...at least I don't think I am. How can I find out if am I?

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Hi Dreamspinner3,

Check this article.

Windows Firewall options are grayed out:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/resetfwpol.htm

If these restrictions were added without you doing anything, then it might be caused by a Malware/Virus.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


I recently ran Windows Update and now I have a problem with WinXP
Pro's built-in firewall; I always have it turned off becuase I use a
3rd party firewall and don't want conflict between the two. Suddenly,
since the update, I'm getting pop-up boxes from WinXP's firewall &
went I went to the Security Center and Windowsnow I can't use the
Windows Firewall tool in Control Panel to turn off the Windows
Firewall or to configure Windows Firewall settings on the Windows XP
SP2 on my computer. Some options are appear dimmed, and I get this
message For your security, some settings are controlled by Group
Policy.

What is this "group policy" thing? I never heard of this Windows XP
option before. My machine is a single home PC on a high-speed
connecton to the Internet. It is a single home PC, I have full
admininstrator rights.


How do I fix my PC so that this "group policy" is no longer in
effect? I'm not a total PC novice, but this Group Policy issues is
totally new to me, so can someone explain it to me in simple terms?