As of yesterday Windows Firewall is suddenly blocking everything: the internet, yahoo messenger, every single program I have that accesses the internet. I have no idea why it's doing this. I've tried restoring the firewall defaults, but it doesn't change a thing. I've loaded Windows Firewall with Advanced Security and restored the defaults via that program, and nothing. I've tried adding exceptions for Firefox, etc., but that doesn't work. If I change the Private profile inbound connections from block to allow then of course I can access everything, (or if I simply turn the firewall off) but then Windows tells me I'm not using the recommended settings. I do have the "notify me when Windows Firewall blocks a new program" clicked, but it doesn't notify me. It just blocks everything. I am utterly lost here, and any help would be much appreciated! Joe