Disabling the Windows Firewall
In some circumstances you may need to disable the Windows Firewall on a Windows 2003 computer with Service Pack 1 (SP1), a Windows XP computer with Service Pack 2 (SP2), or a Windows Vista computer.
Only do this where
- an alternative software firewall is protecting the computer involved, or
- the complete local area network (LAN) is defended from the outside world by a firewall.
What to do
To disable the Windows Firewall included in Windows XP SP2:
- Open Windows Firewall
- In the General tab, select 'Off (not recommended)'
- Click 'OK'. The Windows Firewall dialog box closes.
- Open Windows Firewall
- In the 'Firewall' section at the top of the Windows Security Center window select 'Recommendations'.
- Select 'I have a firewall solution that I'll monitor myself.'
- Click 'OK'
- The firewall should now be labelled as 'NOT MONITORED'
- Close the Windows Security Center.
To disable the Windows Firewall included in Windows 2003 SP1:
- Open Windows Firewall
- In the General tab, select 'Off (not recommended)'
- Click 'OK'.
To disable the Windows Firewall included in Windows Vista:
- Open Windows Firewall
- Click 'Turn Windows Firewall on or off'.
- In the 'User Account Control' dialog box, click 'Continue', to open 'Windows Firewall Settings'.
- In the 'General' tab, select 'Off (not recommended)'.
- Click 'OK'.
If you need more information or guidance, then please contact technical support.
- Article ID: 11827
- Created: 18 Aug 2004
- Last updated: 7 Oct 2008
