How to Enable or Disable Windows Firewall with Advanced Security MMC Snap-in

   Information
You can use Windows Firewall with Advanced Security to help you protect the computers on your network. Windows Firewall with Advanced Security includes a stateful firewall that allows you to determine which network traffic is permitted to pass between your computer and the network. It also includes connection security rules that use Internet Protocol security (IPsec) to protect traffic as it travels across the network.

This will show you how to enable or disable specific or all users on the computer from being able to open and view the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security MMC snap-in window in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

You will need to be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial.


EXAMPLE: Windows Firewall with Advanced Security MMC Snap-in Disabled
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security MMC Snap-in -Enable or Disable-example-1.jpg

Windows Firewall with Advanced Security MMC Snap-in -Enable or Disable-example-2.jpg



OPTION ONE

Enable or Disable Windows Firewall with Advanced Security MMC using REG File


1. To Enable Windows Firewall with Advanced Security MMC Snap-in for Only Current User
NOTE: This is the default setting of Not Configured.
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Enable_Windows_Firewall_with_Advanced_Security_MMC.reg
B) Go to step 4.
2. To Explicitly Enable Windows Firewall with Advanced Security MMC Snap-in for Only Current User
NOTE: This is for if you have enabled the Restrict users to the explicitly permitted list of snap-ins option to only allow the MMC snap-ins with this setting set to open.
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Explicitly_Enable_Windows_Firewall_with_Advanced_Security_MMC.reg
B) Go to step 4.
3. To Disable Windows Firewall with Advanced Security MMC Snap-in for Only Current User
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Disable_Windows_Firewall_with_Advanced_Security_MMC.reg
4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

6. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

7. If open, close and reopen Windows Firewall with Advanced Security (WF.msc)to see the change.

8. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.





OPTION TWO

Enable or Disable Windows Firewall with Advanced Security MMC in Group Policy


1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

2. In the left pane, click on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Microsoft Mangement Console, and Restricted/Permitted snap-ins. (see screenshot below)
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security MMC Snap-in -Enable or Disable-gpedit-1.jpg
3. In the right pane, right click on Windows Firewall with Advanced Security and click on Edit. (See screenshot above)

4. To Enable Windows Firewall with Advanced Security MMC Snap-in
A) Select (dot) either Not Configured. (see screenshot below step 7)
NOTE: This is the default setting.

B) Go to step 7.
5. To Explicitly Enable Windows Firewall with Advanced Security MMC Snap-in
A) Select (dot) either Enabled. (see screenshot below step 7)
NOTE: This is for if you have enabled the Restrict users to the explicitly permitted list of snap-ins option to only allow the MMC snap-ins with this setting set to open.

B) Go to step 7.
6. To Disable Windows Firewall with Advanced Security MMC Snap-in
A) Select (dot) Disabled. (see screenshot below step 7)
7. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security MMC Snap-in -Enable or Disable-gpedit-2.jpg
8. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.

9. If open, close and reopen Windows Firewall with Advanced Security (WF.msc) to see the change.
That's it,
Shawn