Windows firewall blocks homegroup

[choppedporks]

Hi everybody,
I'm trying to setup a homegroup. At first I set it up on one of my computers. Then I tried to join the homegroup on the other one, but the homegroup didn't show up. So, I turned off windows firewall and it worked fine.

The thing is, I don't want to leave the entire firewall off - I'd preffer to add a rule exclusively for the homegroup. But the homegroup doesn't appear in the list of programs in the firewall settings. Is there a way to make such a rule?

Best Regards,
Kuba

 

[edwar]

Turn the Win Firewall off. Not needed if you are behind a router. Just makes all things networking harder.

 

[choppedporks]

Thanks edwar,
I heard that some routers have a built in firewall feture. I'm not sure if mine does. Will it still be safe without a firewall in router?

 

[chev65]

Hi everybody,
I'm trying to setup a homegroup. At first I set it up on one of my computers. Then I tried to join the homegroup on the other one, but the homegroup didn't show up. So, I turned off windows firewall and it worked fine.

The thing is, I don't want to leave the entire firewall off - I'd preffer to add a rule exclusively for the homegroup. But the homegroup doesn't appear in the list of programs in the firewall settings. Is there a way to make such a rule?

Best Regards,
Kuba

If this is the case then you have problems other than just the Homegroup because Windows firewall certainly does not block Homegroups from working.

Turning the Windows 7 firewall off should not be an option and is very unsafe.

You should try going through the Homegroup trouble shooter in the link below.
http://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-7/windows-7-cannot-connect-to-homegroup/

 

[edwar]

Thanks edwar,
I heard that some routers have a built in firewall feture. I'm not sure if mine does. Will it still be safe without a firewall in router?

All routers have a NAT firewall and some have other firewall features to set rules for incoming and outgoing connections.

So your router has the default NAT firewall, at least.

 

[choppedporks]

Chev65, I followed the Guide, but I still couldn't connect. Whenever I enable automatic discovery, and click ok, and then go back again to check it - it's already disabled again. Finally, I'll stay with edwar's advice. Thanks for help

BTW: The rule for homegroup can be added, you just have to add a rule in advanced settings. But still didn't help in my case.

 

[choppedporks]

Hi again,
Just one last question: Chev65, you said it is unsafe to turn off the firewall, but edwar says I'm still protected by router NAT firewall. Both computers I use behind the router are trusted, and there is little chance anyone in the neighbourhood can receive the router signal. Is it still unsafe in that case?

 

[edwar]

Hi again,
Just one last question: Chev65, you said it is unsafe to turn off the firewall, but edwar says I'm still protected by router NAT firewall. Both computers I use behind the router are trusted, and there is little chance anyone in the neighbourhood can receive the router signal. Is it still unsafe in that case?

It's all about paranoia. If your paranoid about things on you computer going out to the net then a software, On Computer, firewall is for you. But then you have to deal with the problems that "May" occur with networking computer together on the your LAN.

I personally do not use any Software firewall or any AV software, haven't used any AV software on any of my computer for years and have never been infected with anything.
I do have a Real Firewall Router. But I only setup rules to block incoming connections from overseas IP addresses.

If you install JUNK software from shady sources then AV and FW software might be needed. I don't do either so I don't use either.

Do what you feel best.

 

[edwar]

If this is the case then you have problems other than just the Homegroup because Windows firewall certainly does not block Homegroups from working.

Turning the Windows 7 firewall off should not be an option and is very unsafe.

You should try going through the Homegroup trouble shooter in the link below.
Ultimate Troubleshooting Guide for Windows 7 HomeGroup Connection Issues

That is an Opinion that I do not share. But you are entitled to your opinion just like I am entitled to mine.

EDIT:
Please advice why it is UnSafe to turn off the Windows firewall.

 

[chev65]

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.

Here is a recent thread I solved with a similar problem.

http://www.sevenforums.com/network-...overy-printer-file-sharing-will-not-stay.html

 

[choppedporks]

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]

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]

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]

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.