Restore Windows Firewall Default Settings

  • Article

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Use this procedure to reset Windows Firewall to its default configuration.

Note

Windows Firewall will be turned on when you perform this procedure. This ensures that your computer is protected by Windows Firewall when you restore default settings.

Administrative Credentials

To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the Administrators group on the local computer, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. If the computer is joined to a domain, members of the Domain Admins group might be able to perform this procedure.

Special Considerations

You can configure Windows Firewall settings in the standard profile or the domain profile. The domain profile is used when a computer is connected to a network in which the computer's domain account resides. The standard profile is used when a computer is connected to a network in which the computer's domain account does not reside, such as a public network or the Internet. Make sure Windows Firewall is using the correct profile when you perform this procedure.

For more information about Windows Firewall profiles, see Managing Windows Firewall Profiles.

To restore Windows Firewall default settings

This procedure can be performed using the graphical user interface or the command prompt. You cannot use Group Policy to restore Windows Firewall default settings.

Using the graphical user interface

To restore Windows Firewall default settings

  1. Open Windows Firewall.

  2. Click the Advanced tab, click Restore Defaults, and then click OK.

If a Windows Firewall setting appears dimmed in the graphical user interface, and on the General tab, you see For your security, some settings are controlled by Group Policy, the setting might be managed by Group Policy. If all Windows Firewall settings appear dimmed, and on the General tab, you see You must be a computer administrator to change these settings, you do not have administrative rights to configure Windows Firewall.

Using the command prompt

To restore Windows Firewall default settings

  • Type the following at the command prompt, and press ENTER:

    netsh firewall reset

If you get an "Access Denied" message when you run a command, you do not have administrative rights to configure Windows Firewall. If you get an "Ok" message but the command does not take effect, the setting might be managed by Group Policy.

Notes

  • To start Windows Firewall, click Start, point to Control Panel, and then click Windows Firewall.

  • To open a command prompt, click Start, point to All programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt.

  • Windows Firewall is not included in the original release of the Windows Server 2003 operating systems.

  • Internet Connection Sharing and Network Bridge are not included in Windows Server 2003, Web Edition; Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition; and the Itanium-based versions of the original release of the Windows Server 2003 operating systems.

See Also

Concepts

Restoring Windows Firewall Default Settings
Known Issues for Managing Resets, Startup, and Shutdown