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unable to enable Windows Firewall on XP

I am unable to enable Windows Firewall on XP.
When I go into Control Panel --> Windows Firewall, all options on the General Tab are greyed out. Any ideas on how to enable this?

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Lee W, MVP

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danielm28

ASKER

My laptop is part of a domain, however, I am logging in locally with an admin account and I still have the problem. Would disabled domain policies affect me in that instance?

Lee W, MVP

Policies can affect the entire computer or the specific computer. A computer policy affects the computer, REGARDLESS of who you sign on as and how you sign on. A user policy follows the user whereever they log on to the domain.

danielm28

ASKER

I'm looking in the policies area now. Where might this particular policy be?

Lee W, MVP

Are you a domain admin? Do you have control over Active Directory? If not, forget it - you won't be able to change defined policies - even if you change it now, when you reboot the policy will reapply. Why are you trying to enable the Windows firewall when your admins have decided they don't want it?

danielm28

ASKER

This is my personal laptop. I still need security when I'm away from the office

Lee W, MVP

Then you need to talk to your IT department about getting that setting changed. It's easiest enough to do - they should just create an OU called Personal PCs (or similar) and put your computer in it, blocking all computer-based policies.

See if method B or C help you from this link:
http://www.utexas.edu/its/windows/resources/disable-wfw.html

But I don't think you'll have any success as long as you are part of the domain and the domain enforces those policies.

danielm28

ASKER

They are using group policies to disable the firewall. Thanks