This post is applicable to all versions of windows operating system - windows xp, vista, windows 7. This post will provide you all possible solutions to solve the firewall service issue. There are various reasons for such issue as follows :
1. Problem with the registry of the operating system e.g. registry gets corrupted - "sharedaccess reg file"
2. Instability with the firewall service engine.
3. Virus Attack - Corrupts registry, firewall services
4. Corrupted *.dll files in windows system32 folder which may create such issues.
Now, you will find below possible solutions for all such above-mentioned issues alongwith some tools which would help to remove corrupted files/bugs/viruses & would provide ultimate solution to this problem.
Windows is unable to start firewall/ ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) Service
First Solution, We will deal with instability to the firewall service engine:
Go to Start --> Run --> Type cmd --> Type following command on command prompt screen
netsh firewall reset
After the firewall service engine is reset, we need to reset another related service. On command prompt type the following command -
netsh winsock reset
Now we need to restart the system. After restarting, go to -
Start --> Run --> Type "firewall.cpl" It will ask to enable firewall service, click "Yes"
OR Type "services.msc" in Start-->Run & find windows firewall service, click properties & set the parameters to "Automatic" & click "Start" service to enable firewall/ICS service.
Second Solution, We will replace the registry "sharedaccess.reg" file
Download sharedaccess.reg (only for Windows XP systems with Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3 applied) and save to Desktop. Then double-click the file to merge the contents to the registry. The Services entry will be created. Restart Windows (mandatory step, otherwise the following NETSH command might display an error).
After restarting Windows, execute the following command via Start, Run dialog:
CMD /K NETSH FIREWALL RESET
Launch firewall applet from Control Panel, and see if you're able to configure the Windows Firewall settings.
If the above steps do not help, as a last resort solution (before attempting to reinstall the Service Pack), give the following commands a try:
Click Start, Run and type:
rundll32 setupapi,InstallHinfSection Ndi-Steelhead 132 %windir%\inf\netrass.inf
The above command repaired most of the Windows Firewall settings when I tested. After running the above command, restart Windows and then run the following:
CMD /K NETSH FIREWALL RESET
Attempt to start Firewall applet. Start the Windows Firewall service when prompted.
1. Problem with the registry of the operating system e.g. registry gets corrupted - "sharedaccess reg file"
2. Instability with the firewall service engine.
3. Virus Attack - Corrupts registry, firewall services
4. Corrupted *.dll files in windows system32 folder which may create such issues.
Now, you will find below possible solutions for all such above-mentioned issues alongwith some tools which would help to remove corrupted files/bugs/viruses & would provide ultimate solution to this problem.
Windows is unable to start firewall/ ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) Service
First Solution, We will deal with instability to the firewall service engine:
Go to Start --> Run --> Type cmd --> Type following command on command prompt screen
netsh firewall reset
After the firewall service engine is reset, we need to reset another related service. On command prompt type the following command -
netsh winsock reset
Now we need to restart the system. After restarting, go to -
Start --> Run --> Type "firewall.cpl" It will ask to enable firewall service, click "Yes"
OR Type "services.msc" in Start-->Run & find windows firewall service, click properties & set the parameters to "Automatic" & click "Start" service to enable firewall/ICS service.
Second Solution, We will replace the registry "sharedaccess.reg" file
Download sharedaccess.reg (only for Windows XP systems with Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3 applied) and save to Desktop. Then double-click the file to merge the contents to the registry. The Services entry will be created. Restart Windows (mandatory step, otherwise the following NETSH command might display an error).
After restarting Windows, execute the following command via Start, Run dialog:
CMD /K NETSH FIREWALL RESET
Launch firewall applet from Control Panel, and see if you're able to configure the Windows Firewall settings.
If the above steps do not help, as a last resort solution (before attempting to reinstall the Service Pack), give the following commands a try:
Click Start, Run and type:
rundll32 setupapi,InstallHinfSection Ndi-Steelhead 132 %windir%\inf\netrass.inf
The above command repaired most of the Windows Firewall settings when I tested. After running the above command, restart Windows and then run the following:
CMD /K NETSH FIREWALL RESET
Attempt to start Firewall applet. Start the Windows Firewall service when prompted.
