Solved Action Center can't turn on Windows Firewall

[metalmuscle]

This problem started a few days ago. I can't even really tell you guys if I installed any updates or new programs because I don't even remember, which probably means, that I, in fact, DID NOT install anything new on the machine before this error starting popping up. I routinely restarted my Dell XPS M1530 laptop, running windows 7 sp1, and I saw a windows notification in the bottom right of my taskbar.

It states that I have 1 security issue; I need to turn on Windows Firewall. When I click "Turn on Windows Firewall (Important)", a new error comes up saying that "Action Center can't turn on Windows Firewall." When I click "Turn Windows Firewall on manually," and then "Use recommended settings," nothing happens. I get the spinning wheel as if my computer is trying to do something, and nothing seems to happen after that "hourglass" goes away.

I tried going into services.msc and starting Windows Firewall that way, but I get yet another 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 13.

After checking the event log, I see that there are a BUNCH of errors that relate to this problem, which started on the 19th of this month, which was 3 days ago. The error log has an ID of 7024 and says "The Windows Firewall service terminated with service-specific error The data is invalid.."

What can I do to fix this error! I've tried researching various ways to fix this for the past 3 days to no avail. Can someone please help me!?

Thanks in advance!

-Frank

 

[metalmuscle]

I should probably add that I have done [multiple] scans with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and avast!, including a boot-time scan with avast! Some trojans and whatnot came up from malwarebytes, but even after complete removal, I am having this problem.

 

[Carolyn]

Try this

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/139810-sfc-scannow-run-command-prompt-boot.html

 

[MowGreen]

Please check this registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile

In the left frame, click on StandardProfile.
Is there a DoNotAllowExceptions listed in the right frame ?
If yes, what is showing for it's Value ?

If the answer is no, DoNotAllowExceptions is not listed,what Names are listed for StandardProfile in the right frame ?

 

[metalmuscle]

Hey guys, I ended up doing a fresh install of windows 7. I had to do this because when I tried doing a repair install, I got all sorts of errors. It turned out to be no big deal to do the fresh install and I already was able to re-install all of my drivers, applications, etc.

Thanks for the help, though. I appreciate your suggestions!

 

[MowGreen]

Some trojans and whatnot came up from malwarebytes, but even after complete removal, I am having this problem.

Hey guys, I ended up doing a fresh install of windows 7. I had to do this because when I tried doing a repair install, I got all sorts of errors. It turned out to be no big deal to do the fresh install and I already was able to re-install all of my drivers, applications, etc.

Thanks for the help, though. I appreciate your suggestions!

Strongly suggest that you create a Standard User Account now and use that account for day to activities, such as surfing the web -How to Create, Delete and Modify User Accounts in Windows 7

A Standard User account is much safer to surf the web with than a User Account that has Administrator privileges. Although this report is from 2009, the underlying principles still apply today. That may change in the future but for now -Report: 64% of all Microsoft vulnerabilities for 2009 mitigated by Least Privilege accounts

According to a newly released report, 64% of all the reported Microsoft vulnerabilities for 2009 could have been mitigated by using the principle of the least privileged accounts.

By collecting data from Microsoft’s Security Bulletins published throughout the year, and identifying the vulnerabilities who would have been mitigated by users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system, BeyondTrust’s quantitative report message is simple - get back to the basics.

Key summary points on the percentage of flaws mitigated:

* 90% of Critical Windows 7 operating system vulnerabilities are mitigated by having users log in as standard users
* 100% of Microsoft Office vulnerabilities reported in 2009
* 94% of Internet Explorer and 100% of IE 8 vulnerabilities reported in 2009
* 64% of all Microsoft vulnerabilities reported in 2009
* 87% of vulnerabilities categorized as Remote Code Execution vulnerabilities are mitigated by removing administrator rights