Windows Firewall Problem

[DrLuke2003]

My Windows Firewall is turned off and all of the radio buttons to make a change are grayed out. It is telling me that a network administrator is using Group Policy to control the settings. But I am on a home network on which no one is using any group policies; there isn't even a server on my network.

Does anyone know what could be causing this? I'm afraid that this is causing other problems on my PC as well with internet connectivity.

 

[Nocturnal]

Are you using XP Pro or Home? If it's the former, use gpedit to change that setting. If you're using home then it is a registry entry. Some how it was changed, more than likely by spyware. Scan your system for any spyware. You will have to change that setting yourself though. I had to find the exact key and did. However, I never documented the exact key so I can't say what key it was lol. If you search Google I'm sure you'll find a few forums posts from me or others.

 

[DrLuke2003]

I'm running XP Pro w/ SP2 (obviously). I was afraid spyware might be the problem.

I'll see if gpedit does the trick. do you just type that in the run window like you would regedit?

 

[smashp]

Originally posted by: DrLuke2003
I'm running XP Pro w/ SP2 (obviously). I was afraid spyware might be the problem.

I'll see if gpedit does the trick. do you just type that in the run window like you would regedit?

a. Are you on a domain?

b.Do you have administrative rights?

 

[DrLuke2003]

No, we are not on a domain. I am logged on as administrator by default when I boot up my machine.

I wish the problem were that simple.

 

[Corey0808]

I'm having a similar problem as well. Anyone know the correct registry key? Thanks

 

[ivwshane]

It's a simple group policy edit. Run gpedit.msc from the run box like was suggested. Go to computer configuration-->network-->network connections-->windows firewall-->standard profile-->edit the policy "windows firewall: protect all network connections".

 

[RebateMonger]

Perhaps some 3rd-party Firewall software has disabled the Windows Firewall to prevent conflicts.