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Turn the Windows Built-In Firewall On or Off

Windows 7
Windows Vista
Windows XP

Windows 7

IMPORTANT! If you are using a third-party firewall, then DO NOT use the built-in Windows firewall. (Unless you are familiar with how to configure multiple firewalls, you should not install or use more than one firewall program on your computer.)

1. Click the Start button and select Control Panel.
2. Click System and Security.
3. Click Windows Firewall.
4. In the left pane, click Turn Windows Firewall on or off.
5. If you are prompted to enter an administrator password, then go head and enter it.
6. To turn the Windows firewall on, under Home or work (private) network location settings and Public network location settings, click the Turn on Windows Firewall buttons, put checkmarks in the Notify me when Windows Firewall blocks a new program checkboxes, and click the OK button.
   
   To turn the Windows firewall off, under Home or work (private) network location settings and Public network location settings, click the Turn off Windows Firewall buttons, and click the OK button.

Windows Vista

IMPORTANT! If you are using a third-party firewall, then DO NOT use the built-in Windows firewall. (Unless you are familiar with how to configure multiple firewalls, you should not install or use more than one firewall program on your computer.)

1. Click the Start button and select Control Panel.
2. Click Security.
3. Click Windows Firewall.
4. Click Turn Windows Firewall On or Off.
5. Click On (recommended) or Off (not recommended).
6. Click the OK button.

Windows XP

IMPORTANT! If you are using a third-party firewall, then DO NOT use the built-in Windows firewall. (Unless you are familiar with how to configure multiple firewalls, you should not install or use more than one firewall program on your computer.)

1. Click the Start button and select Control Panel.
2. In the left pane, click Switch to Classic View.
3. Double-click Windows Firewall.
4. On the General tab, click the On or Off button.
5. Click the OK button.