This question is a result of my attempted work around for this issue. The Windows Firewall Rules (Vista and up) are stored in the RegistryHKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\FirewallRules I figured I wouldn't have to decode EmbedCtxt=@FirewallAPI.dll,-32252 if I removed the item through netsh and added it back as plain text. The problem is, netsh and Windows Firewall are not reading the items I added. The original items (which I removed) are: Value = {2392FC51-D2EF-4D16-B095-3B7213D1D922} Data = v2.10|Action=Allow|Active=FALSE|Dir=Out|Protocol=17|Profile=Private|LPort=1900|RA4=LocalSubnet|RA6=LocalSubnet|App=%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe|Svc=Ssdpsrv|Name=Media Center Extenders - Media Streaming (UDP-Out)|Desc=@FirewallARI.dll,-30821|EmbedCtxt=@FirewallAPI.dll,-30752| Value = MCX-PlayTo-Out-UDP Data = v2.10|Action=Allow|Active=FALSE|Dir=Out|Protocol=17|Profile=Domain|Profile=Public|LPort=1900|RA4=LocalSubnet|RA6=LocalSubnet|App=%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe|Svc=Ssdpsrv|Name=Media Center Extenders - Media Streaming (UDP-Out)|Desc=@FirewallARI.dll,-30821|EmbedCtxt=@FirewallAPI.dll,-30752| These are the items I added: Value = {689ED182-F9C4-445-9512-1307505BBCCB} Data = v2.10|Action=Allow|Active=TRUE|Dir=Out|Protocol=17|Profile=Domain|Profile=Private|LPort=1900|RA4=LocalSubnet|RA6=LocalSubnet|App=%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe|Svc=Ssdpsrv|Edge=FALSE|Name=Media Center Extenders - Media Streaming (UDP-Out)|Desc=Outbound rule for Media Center Extenders to allow Media Streaming devices to respond to an SSDP search. [UDP 1900]|EmbedCtxt=Media Center Extenders| Value = {6A34CC09-7065-400C-B057-0DC733EFE6} Data = v2.10|Action=Allow|Active=FALSE|Dir=Out|Protocol=17|Profile=Public|LPort=1900|RA4=LocalSubnet|RA6=LocalSubnet|App=%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe|Svc=Ssdpsrv|Edge=FALSE|Name=Media Center Extenders - Media Streaming (UDP-Out)|Desc=Outbound rule for Media Center Extenders to allow Media Streaming devices to respond to an SSDP search. [UDP 1900]|EmbedCtxt=Media Center Extenders| What is wrong with the items I added? Does the Windows Firewall require a code for EmbedCtxt?

You need to change the firewall rules from UI or command lines. Manually changing the Registry value is not the recommended way. If you really want to know the value of the registry when the rules are configured as your wish, please configure the rules and then check the value. Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.