How to Disable the Windows Firewall When the Options Are Grayed Out
- 1). Attach the backup media to the computer. This will be used to save the registry on a separate media from the computer hard drive. This will be used in the event of an unrecoverable error.
- 2). Launch the regedit application. This application can be launched by clicking on the "Start" button in Windows, and typing "regedit" into the "Run" box.
- 3). Export the registry. This can be done by clicking on the "File" menu option of regedit, then clicking on the "Export" option. A dialog box will open requesting the location for saving the registry. Choose the backup media connected to the computer in Step 1.
- 4). Navigate to the "WindowsFirewall" branch in the registry by using the menu branch on the left side of the windows. Locate Windows Firewall by following this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Policies \ Microsoft \ WindowsFirewall.
- 5). Delete the "WindowsFirewall" branch by right-clicking on the "WindowsFirewall" branch and choosing the option to delete. Answer the confirmation to complete the deletion.
- 6). Restart Windows. Click on the "Start" button in the lower left corner of the screen and choose the option to restart the computer.
- 7). Open "Control Panel" by clicking on the "Start" button and then choosing "Control Panel" on the right side of the menu.
- 8). Open the Windows Firewall application by double-clicking on the icon for Windows Firewall in Control Panel. Applications are listed in alphabetical order, and Windows Firewall usually is on the last row.
- 9). Disable the Windows Firewall. The options will no longer be grayed out, allowing the firewall to be turned off by selecting the radio button next to the red shield.
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Click "OK" to save the settings.