Windows firewall blocks homegroup

choppedporks · 13 Sep 2012

In my case it's the opposite - homegroup only works with the firewall off, but regarding what you've said, Chev65 I'll have to do without a homegroup by now. If you guys will have any new idea, please give me a notice.

Layback Bear · 13 Sep 2012

I don't know how to fix your homegroup, hell I haven't found a fix for mine. I will tell you this. I'm not going to turn off Windows Firewall to fix anything. A active anti virus and firewall is the basics of good security. Yes I also use a router. Just another layer of security. If I had to choose the router would go and the firewall would stay. But I don't have to choose that's why I got both.

edwar · 13 Sep 2012

I got an email from this thread in which Chev65 said,

Quote:
It certainly IS NOT safe to turn off the Windows firewall and I don't think you would find a single person in this forum who would disagree with that fact.

If network discovery won't stay on it's most likely because the firewall rules have been tampered with or the firewall was mistakenly turned off. There are also many services that will not work if the Windows firewall has been turned off. .
End Quote:

I don't see that post so it must of been edited out.
Again what is not so safe if you turn the Win FW off.
I'm on this forum and I have mine off and I bet there are many more. Tampered with FW rules? What you shouldn't make changes to any of those either? Then what good is it.

I run 2 Win 7 PCs and many XP PCs and have no problems with any services or the stability of all my systems. Also I have no problems networking any of my computers, Mac or PC (Oh and by the way I have the OS X FW turned off also).

As to the OPs problem if he can't get File and Print sharing to stay on then he has some other problem.

Good Luck to the OP.

Layback Bear · 13 Sep 2012

Folks keep in mind their are many people that read these threads. They are of different levels of skill with computers and security. Some could set up a router to be a great defense against bad things and many can't. A flat statement to turn off a security systems to me is not wise for most users if not all users. Your computer, your choice.