I have Windows XP with SP3. My "windows security alerts" icon has a red "X" across it. I click on it, and the "windows security center" says that my Firewall is Off. I click on the "Windows Firewall" link on the bottom of the "windows security center" which takes me to the "windows firewall" pop up. The option for "On(recommended)" is "greyed out" and will not allow me to click on it. How can I turn my windows firewall on? Not sure how to see if there are other firewalls on my system. Thanks, Brian1 person needs an answerI do too

Hi, 1. Have you installed any third party firewall?2. Did you make any changes to the computer recently? Let us follow the steps in the article below and check.You cannot start the Windows Firewall service in Windows XP SP2http://support.microsoft.com/kb/920074Note: The above article is also applicable for Windows XP service pack 3. Also I would recommend you to contact your security software technical support team to check if the firewall is turned on from their software. Hope this helps.Thanks and Regards:Shekhar S - Microsoft Support. Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think. If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.

Shekhar,How can I determine if there are any other firewalls in play on my system?Not sure what you mean by "Did you make any changes to the computer recently?"Thanks for your help so far.Brian

Shekhar, I did method 1 of "You cannot start the Windows Firewall service in Windows XP SP2http://support.microsoft.com/kb/920074" ... it did not work ... still no option to turn on the firewall.What next? Thanks,Brian

Do you have XP Pro?If so, the Windows Firewall may be inhibited by group policy.Start the Group Policy Editor: Start -> Run -> "gpedit.msc"Then navigate to: Local Computer Policy -> Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Network -> Network Connections -> Windows Firewall -> Domain Profile and/or Standard ProfileLook for and double-click on "Windows Firewall: Protect all Network Connections" and set it accordingly.HTH, JW