Windows 7: Windows Firewall missing from Services Menu and Error 0x80070424

Hello,


Two days ago there was a virus on my computer, and I called Microsoft to remove it. But ever since then, I have noticed that my McAfee Verizon Internet security Suite Firewall does not stay on. It may appear on in the home window, but when you want to go into firewall settings, it says that it is off and when you try turning it on, it turns off again immediately.

Also, the Windows Firewall does not turn on. An error always pops up that says :
Window's firewall can't change some of your settings. Error code: 0x80070424

When I go into Windows Services, I also can not find the Windows Firewall on the list.

I believe the virus removed the windows firewall and also affected the McAfee firewall. Even though the win 7 security virus is removed, its affects have still lingered.

When I called Microsoft to remove the virus, and asked about the firewall problem, they said to contact McAfee. I've called McAfee and they have not been able to help me. They said they would research more on the matter and call me back, but they haven't. I am considering changing my Antivirus to Norton very soon.


Please help!

I'm having the same problem... I need help too! I fixed the viruses that were plaguing the computer, but cant fix the firewall or defender... please help!

I have the same problem. I got the win 7 virus yesterday. I have Microsoft Security Essentials. I got that to work but not windows fire wall.

same problem. i have Dell working on it right now. its been over 3.5 hours between McAfee and Dell.

I would love to know who came up with win 7 2012 virus. Looked when I had it and you can go online and pay for the program it like $59.00 who would pay to have a virus. Look we are spending countless hours trying to fix out computers from this thing. I would love to make win 7 2012 virus guys pay for our time. Prime example is Bnutkins working with Dell for 3.5 hours.

Let us know what Dell tells you and McAfee about this thing. I am right now scanning my computer with EST Online it found some stuff that windows defender has not. I hope this would help get my computer straighten out I will keep you posted.

Same problem. I had McAffee, but removed it. I installed MS Essentials instead. I had to use ComboFix along with MalwareBytes and Spybot to eradicate the virus. The system is fine now but no firewall service.

Is there any way to just reinstall the firewall service itself? Maybe reapplying Service Pack 1? Any help would be good.

Remove Win 7 Security 2012

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/viru...-security-2012

@ vreiner - You could try running a SFC Scannow and see if that fixes the system.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

If not, you may have to do a repair install:

Repair Install

MS has an article relating to this problem with suggested fixes.

Error code: 0x8007042c "Windows firewall cannot change some of your settings" when you try to turn on your Windows Firewall

McAfee has been known to cause problems as evidenced by various postings in the forum.

There is also a post in this forum relating to this problem:

window 7 firewall error code 0x80070424

EDIT: I have an additional link that may help you, a MS Fix it you can try:

Automatically repair Windows Firewall problems, such as Windows fails to start Windows Firewall service
Diagnose and fix Windows Firewall service problems automatically

http://support.microsoft.com/mats/wi...agnostic/en-us

Hey everyone thanks for the responses. Seems like a lot of us have the same problem. Well, I had called Microsoft again to help me with the firewall problem and to check again if viruses were still on my computer. There were some malware I am not sure how that came on my computer when I thought I had that taken care of by the first Microsoft rep that helped me remove it. Anyway, the 2nd rep was basically lost, did not know what to do, and during the remote access he was even searching online how to solve the firewall problem. He told me to do a repair installation. Since my computer didn't come with the windows 7 disc, he said to call the manufacturer of my computer, which is gateway. Gateway doesn't even send out discs and says there is a way to make your own and gave me the steps. So I am in the process of doing that. I installed Microsoft Security Essentials, which already did a much better job at preventing another malware form getting on my computer. McAfee didn't even pic it up! I am dumping McAfee and once I do my repair installation, I'm switching to Norton. All this time, I had been using another computer if I had to access personal information. I have spent way too much time trying to solve this problem. I had to forget about it for awhile, and almost forgot I made this post, because I had to catch up to the other important things that I didn't do because of this problem. That person who spent 3.5 hours, I felt like I spent literally an entire 2 days last weekend on the problem. Hours. On the phone, on hold, then hours watching McAfee and Microsoft do remote access. It is ridiculous!!

Please let us know what ends up happening with the repair install. I've had the exact same problem with a brand new Dell running McAfee. Followed the instructions on bleepingcomputer.com to get rid of Win 7 Antispyware 2012 (running rkill and then Malawarebytes). Then couldn't get the firewall of McAfee back working. Installed Microsoft Security Essentials instead and uninstalled McAfee. Microsoft Security Essentials found a few more nasty things and removed them. I then went to check the status of the Windows Firewall and got the same Error Code 0x80070424. After some digging I realized that Windows Firewall service wasn't running. The Microsoft scan checks couldn't find anything wrong so I tired a system restore to a few weeks ago but it got hung up on updating the registry.


After reading your post, I just ordered the Windows 7 discs from Dell. I'm hoping it's easy enough to do the repair install but would love to hear how it went for you and if it fixed things. I don't think I'll be getting the discs for a few days. I guess if that doesn't work I'll have to have Dell reset the whole darn thing back to factory settings. So tired of the whole process and wasting my entire day and certainly a whole bunch more time once the discs arrive. If anyone has any other advice, I'd love to hear it.

Have a look at this post and click on the link provided by Jacee, apparently some people are having success using the steps provided at this site:

Unable to start Windows Firewall