xp firewall grayed out

[Guest]

Either a virus(since removed) or program has grayed out the setting to turn
XP firewall on and off. I was able to turn the firewall on by editing 2 keys
in the registry:

HKLM\software\policies\microsoft\windowsfirewall\standardprofile
"EnableFirewall'
and the same for ..\DomainProfile "EnableFirewall" = dword:1

how can I now reenable the switches to turn it on and off from the windows
firewall gui? To my knowledge there is no other firewall on this system.

Thanks

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

When you open (or 'run') firewall.cpl, does it read as "For your security,
some settings are controlled by Group Policy" at the top of the applet? If
that's the case, try this:

For Windows XP Home Edition:
---------------------------------

Open Regedit.exe and navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall\DomainProfil­e
(and)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall\StandardProf­ile

In the right-pane, delete the "EnableFirewall" value.

Close Regedit.exe and restart Windows.

For Windows XP Professional:
-------------------------------

From Start/Run, type Gpedit.msc and navigate to:

Computer Configuration
=> Administrative Templates
=> System
=> Network
=> Network Connections
=> Windows Firewall
=> Standard Profile

Set the following options to "Not Configured" (defaults)

Windows Firewall: Protect all network connections
Windows Firewall: Do not allow exceptions
Windows Firewall: Define program exceptions
Windows Firewall: Allow local program exceptions
Windows Firewall: Allow remote administration exception
Windows Firewall: Allow file and printer sharing exception
Windows Firewall: Allow ICMP exceptions
Windows Firewall: Allow Remote Desktop exception
Windows Firewall: Allow UPnP framework exception
Windows Firewall: Prohibit notifications
Windows Firewall: Allow logging
Windows Firewall: Prohibit unicast response to multicast or broadcast
requests
Windows Firewall: Define port exceptions
Windows Firewall: Allow local port exceptions

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com

 

[Guest]

I don't recall it saying "For your security,
some settings are controlled by Group Policy" at the top

However--that did fix it! I tested it with shields up and it's working.
Thanks a bunch.

 

[Richard in AZ]

I have a similar problem, but there is no WindowsFirewall folder in the
paths shown below.

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

You're welcome Billy.

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Richard,
Have you tried using the Group Policy Editor?

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com

 

[Richard in AZ]

This computer is running the XP Home Edition. There is no Group Policy
Editor.
Would the Doug Knox "Security Console" Work? I am not familiar with that
tool.

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Running out of ideas. Can you export this registry key, and post the
information here:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com

 

[CherylDetrick]

For both domain and standard:

I followed these instructions, rebooted. Firewall still on and button to
turn it off, still grayed out.

I retried it, using the disable function, rebooted. Firewall still on and
button to turn it off, still grayed out.

HELP!!!!!

 

[RiggsFolly]

Hi,

Sound like you are running as a limited account user, which is good.

But to change the firewall settings you will need to logon with an
adminstrators account, then it will not be greyed out.


Regards