Unable to start Windows Firewall

Balon!!!!

I need your help. I tried to follow your instructions, but it seems that I can't edit "firewall.reg". The System pops up an error and says that I "can't import firewall.reg. Some registry keys are open by the system or other procedures."

What can I do??

I have installed Avira Free Antivirus. I know that the free version doesn't have Firewall, but I don't know if it can give any problems activating Window's Firewall.

Thanks in advance,

OMG OMG OMG It worked
Someone else on this site helped me with Windows Defender and Security Center. All those and the following were gone.
I didn't have Windows Firewall, BFE service could not be started and my Network and Sharing Center were not working either. Now everything works. HOURRAY. Thank you so much. I registered here just so I could thank you. :). Confession: I'm running Vista Home Premium on this computer (the problem computer) but I read a post that this Win 7 fix would work. BRAVO

Balon said:

Hi there, my name is Balon and I am pretty sure I have the way to fix your problem.

IT IS SUGGESTED YOU BACKUP YOUR REGISTRY BEFORE PROCEEDING

Backing Up Your Registry

1. Go Here and download ERUNT
   (ERUNT (Emergency Recovery Utility NT) is a free program that allows you to keep a complete backup of your registry and restore it when needed.)
2. Install ERUNT by following the prompts
   (use the default install settings but say no to the portion that asks you to add ERUNT to the start-up folder, if you like you can enable this option later)
3. Start ERUNT
   (either by double clicking on the desktop icon or choosing to start the program at the end of the setup)
4. Choose a location for the backup
   (the default location is C:\WINDOWS\ERDNT which is acceptable).
5. Make sure that at least the first two check boxes are ticked
6. Press OK
7. Press YES to create the folder.

Registry Modifications



Download both the registry files

bfe.reg

firewall.reg

Launch and import them to registry

Restart your PC

Now,open RUN and type

regedit and click ok

go to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\BFE

Right click on it-permissions

Click on ADD and type

Everyone and click ok

Now Click on Everyone

Below you have permission for users

Select full control and click ok

Now,open RUN and type

services.msc and click ok

start base filtering engine service and then windows firewall service

For further assistance contact me here, I will be checking this thread every few hours, this worked for me and it should work for you too.

okey so i had this issue.

i tried EVERYTHING in this and every other post i could find which refers to the issue of not being able to activate win firewall (i couldn't activate the service at all as described by the op)

after now 8+- hours trying everything in the book (properly used 1-2 on finding out where exactly the problem where lying) i finally stumbled over this:
Windows Firewall damaged by 'Windows 7 antivirus 2012'

and now it just worked perfectly... (i havent had any vira so i didnt even give it a thought, my issue lied in the inability to activate the services so i could change the settings to allow people to ping me on the network)

i can't believe i used 8+-hours on trying EVERYTHING when all it took was the use of this one fix file....

i strongly recommand people trying that out as the very first thing before using mindless hours on everything.

best regards
Me

hello i am new to this forum and had some but not all the same issues. I keep getting the following errors:
when i try turning on windows firewall via the control panel i get "windows can't change some of your settings error code 0x8007042c"
when i try to start windows firewall via services.msc i get "Windows could not start the Windows Firewall service on local computer Error 1068: The dependency service or group failed to start" i have tryed the above instructions but when i tryed to import firewall.reg its says " Cannot import C:\Users\Robert\Desktop\firewall.reg: Not all data was sucessfully written to the registry. Some keys are open by the system." I used malwarebytes to remove any of the malware that could of caused this problem. i also tryed CCleaner. please help me this problem it has been going on for months.

Layla said:

Not sure if thread is still open but I was able to make the registry changes and get the BFE started however when I go to start the firewall I get the error message "Windows could not start the Windows Firewall on Local Computer. For more information review the System Event Log. If this is a non-microsoft service, contact the service vendor, and refer to service-specific error code 5. " Any suggestions? I saw some posts of other people needing to give additional permissions for Windows 7??? I also saw another registry download entitled
0677.mpssvc.reg???? Any help would be FANTASTIC!!!!

I have the same problem as you. Did you find a solution?

I have tried all the methods suggested in this thread but to luck. However, my BFE is started, Windows Firewall shown in the Services.msc

anyone has more ideas?

Balon said:

Hi there, my name is Balon and I am pretty sure I have the way to fix your problem.

IT IS SUGGESTED YOU BACKUP YOUR REGISTRY BEFORE PROCEEDING

Backing Up Your Registry

1. Go Here and download ERUNT
   (ERUNT (Emergency Recovery Utility NT) is a free program that allows you to keep a complete backup of your registry and restore it when needed.)
2. Install ERUNT by following the prompts
   (use the default install settings but say no to the portion that asks you to add ERUNT to the start-up folder, if you like you can enable this option later)
3. Start ERUNT
   (either by double clicking on the desktop icon or choosing to start the program at the end of the setup)
4. Choose a location for the backup
   (the default location is C:\WINDOWS\ERDNT which is acceptable).
5. Make sure that at least the first two check boxes are ticked
6. Press OK
7. Press YES to create the folder.

Registry Modifications



Download both the registry files

bfe.reg

firewall.reg

Launch and import them to registry

Restart your PC

Now,open RUN and type

regedit and click ok

go to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\BFE

Right click on it-permissions

Click on ADD and type

Everyone and click ok

Now Click on Everyone

Below you have permission for users

Select full control and click ok

Now,open RUN and type

services.msc and click ok

start base filtering engine service and then windows firewall service

For further assistance contact me here, I will be checking this thread every few hours, this worked for me and it should work for you too.

This worked great. It fixed the problem. Thanks a lot Balon :)

Balon! THANK YOU! You are my HERO! :)

Hey guys, im having a problem with my firewall, it seems that it wont allow me to set any allow programs through it. It also shows me a blank list, when i know for a fact there should be a list there. How do i restore it?

It just says " Windows Firewall cannot add (service name) to the list of exceptions. HELP PLEASE?

Thank you Balon. Your fix solved first of two problems (BFE) I had. I was able to make the registry changes and get the BFE started.
However when I go to start the firewall in Services I get the error message "Windows could not start the Windows Firewall on Local Computer. For more information review the System Event Log. If this is a non-microsoft service, contact the service vendor, and refer to service-specific error code 5. "
I solved that problem by following narenxp's advice here
(scroll down to his post from Wednesday, December 14, 2011 11:49 PM)

tombombodil said:

Balon said:

Hi there, my name is Balon and I am pretty sure I have the way to fix your problem.

IT IS SUGGESTED YOU BACKUP YOUR REGISTRY BEFORE PROCEEDING


Backing Up Your Registry

1. Go Here and download ERUNT
   (ERUNT (Emergency Recovery Utility NT) is a free program that allows you to keep a complete backup of your registry and restore it when needed.)
2. Install ERUNT by following the prompts
   (use the default install settings but say no to the portion that asks you to add ERUNT to the start-up folder, if you like you can enable this option later)
3. Start ERUNT
   (either by double clicking on the desktop icon or choosing to start the program at the end of the setup)
4. Choose a location for the backup
   (the default location is C:\WINDOWS\ERDNT which is acceptable).
5. Make sure that at least the first two check boxes are ticked
6. Press OK
7. Press YES to create the folder.

Registry Modifications



Download both the registry files

bfe.reg

firewall.reg

Launch and import them to registry

Restart your PC

Now,open RUN and type

regedit and click ok

go to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\BFE

Right click on it-permissions

Click on ADD and type

Everyone and click ok

Now Click on Everyone

Below you have permission for users

Select full control and click ok

Now,open RUN and type

services.msc and click ok

start base filtering engine service and then windows firewall service

For further assistance contact me here, I will be checking this thread every few hours, this worked for me and it should work for you too.

You good sir, are the man! Instantly fixed all my issues with no hiccups. Thanks for your expertise

Ditto here! tryed many,many other routes before,this solved all my firewall and file sharing problems!THanks!!!