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:

1. Open Windows Firewall
2. In the General tab, select 'Off (not recommended)'
3. Click 'OK'. The Windows Firewall dialog box closes.
4. Open Windows Firewall
5. In the 'Firewall' section at the top of the Windows Security Center window select 'Recommendations'.
6. Select 'I have a firewall solution that I'll monitor myself.'
7. Click 'OK'
8. The firewall should now be labelled as 'NOT MONITORED'
9. Close the Windows Security Center.

To disable the Windows Firewall included in Windows 2003 SP1:

1. Open Windows Firewall
2. In the General tab, select 'Off (not recommended)'
3. Click 'OK'.

To disable the Windows Firewall included in Windows Vista:

1. Open Windows Firewall
2. Click 'Turn Windows Firewall on or off'.
3. In the 'User Account Control' dialog box, click 'Continue', to open 'Windows Firewall Settings'.
4. In the 'General' tab, select 'Off (not recommended)'.
5. Click 'OK'.