I want to install MSE before my One Care subscription runs out.I am running XP HOME SP-3 on 2 computers on a Home Network for almost a year. I have One Care. When I boot either computer they boot direct to the Desktop.I know I do not have Group Editor and there is no way to get it installed on XP HOME.For the past 2 weeks when I click on Windows Firewall in Control Panel, on both computers, the settings window comes up but it has a warning on the top "For your security some settings are controlled by group policy" and the selections are grayed out and the Firewall is Off.I have no problem turning Firewall on or turning off in One Care on either computer. I have removed and reinstalled One Care and even when One Care is removed on both computers I get the same results with Windows Firewall. I have even replaced the router because that router had Firewall.I have run Reg Cure and Anti-Malware to no avail.I had a reply saying to run "mmc", but nothing happens.I have even spent 5 hours over 2 days with One Care Support who finally said I should contact XP support and I have had no report from them.I would like to remove One Care and install Security Essentials but I am concerned that I may wind up with no Firewall.Please help!

Give this a try. http://windowsxp.mvps.org/resetfwpol.htm

Thanks but I have tried that twice on both computers, the Windows Firewall branch comes back in regedit after a reboot and Windows Firewall is still grayed.

This may be related. I started up in Safe Mode, selected Windows Firewall in Control Panel, I got a pop-up asking if I wanted to start Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing, I selected yes and got a pop-up stating Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing could not be started.I am desperately searching for a solution.

Above situation has been solved. I uninstalled one care, installed MSE and everything works. I only took me 3 weeks to get it done.

But MSE hasn't been out 3 weeks. LOL

I had the problem with Windows Firewall being grayed out for 3 weeks before I uninstalled one care and then installed MSE on 10/07/09.