Disabling the Windows Firewall

This document describes three methods for turning off the Windows Firewall. The first method is for any user with administrative privileges on an individual machine not remotely or collectively managed in any way. The other two methods are for use only by IT administrators on managed systems.
Note that you still need some kind of firewall protection, so don't disable the Windows Firewall unless you have the Symantec Firewall from BevoWare or other appropriate firewall software installed.

Disabling the Firewall Using the Control Panel

This method is for any user with administrative access to unmanaged systems such as: home, RESNET, and campus unmanaged system, and self-managed.

1. From the Start menu, select Control Panel, then select Windows Firewall.
2. Select Off, then click Ok.

Disabling the Firewall Using Local Policy

This method is for IT administrators with administrative access to unmanaged systems or locally managed systems where the machine is not part of a Windows 2000 or higher domain.

1. From the Start menu, select Run, then enter gpedit.msc.
2. Expand the Computer Configuration folder, then the Administrative Templates folder.
3. Expand the Network folder, then the Network Connections folder, then the Windows Firewall folder.
4. Select the Standard Profile folder.
5. Double-click the Windows Firewall: Protect all network connections option.
6. Select Disabled, then click OK.
7. Select the Domain Profile folder.
8. Double-click the Windows Firewall: Protect all network connections option.
9. Select Disabled, then click OK.
10. Close the Group Policy dialog box.

Disabling the Firewall Using Group Policy

This method is for IT administrators with administrative access to UT-managed machines that are part of a Windows 2000 or 2003 Active Directory domain.

1. Create a new Group Policy object, and give the object a descriptive name (for example, ITS-Turn off Windows Firewall).
2. Select the newly created group policy.
3. Right-click on the newly created policy and select Edit.
4. Expand the Computer Configuration folder, then the Administrative Templates folder.
5. Expand the Network folder, then the Network Connections folder, then the Windows Firewall folder.
6. Select the Standard Profile folder.
7. Double-click the Windows Firewall: Protect all network connections option.
8. Select Disabled, then click OK.
9. Select the Domain Profile folder.
10. Double-click the Windows Firewall: Protect all network connections option.
11. Select Disabled, then click OK.
12. Close the Group Policy dialog box.
13. In the Security Filter section, click Add.
14. Search for the objects that this group policy will be applied to, then click OK.
15. Close the Group Policy editor.