I'm trying to turn on my firewall and I get the the Error " Windows can't change Some of your settings. Error Code 0x80070422" When I try to go to advanced settings I gfet the error above "Windows Firewall with advanced Security snap-in failed to load. Error Code 0x6D9". I'm thinking that error in settings is why the firwall won't turn on. How can I get to the settings and check them?

First, are you opening Windows Firewall or Windows Firewall with Advanced Security by right clicking them and choosing 'Run as administrator " ? Second, what is the installed antivirus or security suite; was there an AV or Sec suite installed that you uninstalled and replaced with another one ? Third, did the native Windows 7 firewall function properly before this issue arose ? If yes and this issue is recent, have you tried rolling the system back using a recent System Restore point that was created when the firewall worked properly ? MowGreen Windows Expert IT Pro - Consumer Security

1)I am Opening Windows Firwall Advanced Setting by going to CP > Windows Firewall> Advanced Settings> Click Yes> and then I get the error. 2)I am using Avast free. 3)It has always been this way from day one. It is a refurbished computer. I think it was a server at one time for the size of it.CardGunner

1) Click the Start orb; in the Search all programs and files field type in firewall . Under Programs, right click Windows Firewall with Advanced Security; choose 'Run as administrator'. Agree to the UAC prompt to allow it to run with Elevated Privileges. What specifically happens for each step when you do the above ? Successfull/ Fails with a message and an error/ Fails with no error, just a message 2) Did you replace an AV or Security Suite with Avast ? If so, which AV or Sec Suite, please ? You may need to run a removal tool to ensure that all remnants of the previously installed security software are no longer present. 3) If this system was on a work network at one time then it may have been joined to a Domain. That would present a Privileges issue with the Local Service account. Do you know if that pertains to this system ?MowGreen Windows Expert IT Pro - Consumer Security

1) I did all that. After the prompt I get the error. Header of the error in Grey banner " Windows Firewall with Advnaced Security snap-in" under that in body of error is a Big red X. Next to that is a Messsage " There was an error opening the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security snap-in" Under that is the message "The windows Firewall with Advanced Security snap-in failed to load. Restart the Windows Firewall Service on the computer that you are managing. Error code 0x6D9. 2) I was told the computer was re-formatted and wiped clean. Avast was the only Virus protection ran on the system after that. Before it was wiped clean I have no idea what AV was running on there. I have run CCleaner a few times to clean up cookies and other intrusive things. 3) This computer is currently on a work network. CardGunner

3) This computer is currently on a work network. Does the work network have an Admin ? Is the network using Group Policy ? I ask because if this is a self-managed system then you could you first try creating and running the .bat file that Shekhar S - Microsoft Support has posted here - http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7security/thread/e5ee6823-98f8-4575-a254-00a038b17e34 If no joy, try the OneCare Safety Scan for Vista/Windows 7 , which will attempt to reenable and/or repair required services that are not functioning.MowGreen Windows Expert IT Pro - Consumer Security

Well I must have downloaded a update or something cause now it's working. I can NOW turn on my firewall and NOW get to the advanced settings. I must have been something I got from windows updates. I'll look at my update history and figure it out. The issue that is now before me is when I turn the firewall on I can't get to any of my network site or get onto the web. I'lll play around and see if I can fix this issue. If I can't I post a new thread with my newest issue. Thank you MowGreen for your help.CardGunner

You're welcome, CardGunner. See if this update is listed in Installed Updates KB976902 - Description of the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 installation software feature update I suspect that is the update that may have restored the firewall.

You are exactly right! I did install that update yesterday. However the description says nothing about the firewall. Hmm. Thanks again for your help.CardGunner

The description of the update is not as pertinent as the files of the update. There are WMI and WBEM .dll files included in KB976902. Without getting too bogged down in technical details, they are Windows Management Instrumentation related files. " WMI publishes information, configures device settings, and supplies event notification from device drivers. " If WMI isn't functioning properly, neither will the native Windows 7 firewall. Apparently, installing KB976902 installed and registered WMI related .dll files, thereby repairing the non-functional firewall. Anyway, that's only my theory, for what it's worth. <w>MowGreen Windows Expert IT Pro - Consumer Security

So, what does one do if the update mentioned is actually installed, but that person is getting the EXACT SAME THING as CardGunner was getting -- meaning...ME...I currently have that update installed, am running Avast Free, and on a personal laptop running Win 7 SP 1. Please, the first person that asks me all of the crap that everyone else asked CardGunner, I'm gonna pull out my Barret 98 and start popping heads like grapes!! Don't even bother asking the same questions, because the only answer you're gonna get is this, "So, what does one do if the update mentioned is actually installed, but that person is getting the EXACT SAME THING as CardGunner was getting -- meaning...ME...I currently have that update installed, am running Avast Free, and on a personal laptop running Win 7 SP 1." I even opened up the secret Admin account to see if I can get Win Firewall to start up, but no joy! Here's a REALLY GOOD QUESTION..."Why doesn't Microsoft let someone that has a genuine copy of Windows be able to DOWNLOAD and REINSTALL for themselves, Windows Firewall??" Seriously, wouldn't that make the WHOLE thing THAT MUCH EASIER?? Hmmm, my bet is it would. BUT, as I'm probably going to be told, MS won't do it for some bullshit reason!!