Enable or Disable the Windows Firewall Log
Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2
Use this procedure when you want to turn on (enable) or turn off (disable) the Windows Firewall log file. This is useful if you are troubleshooting Windows Firewall problems or you are temporarily monitoring Windows Firewall behavior.
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 enable or disable the Windows Firewall log
This procedure can be performed using the graphical user interface or the command prompt.
Using the graphical user interface
To enable or disable the Windows Firewall log
Open Windows Firewall, and click the Advanced tab.
In Security Logging, click Settings.
To enable the log file, select the Log dropped packets check box or the Log successful connections check box or both check boxes, and click OK.
To disable the log file, clear the Log dropped packets check box and the Log successful connections check box, and 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 enable or disable the Windows Firewall log
Type the following at the command prompt, and press ENTER:
netsh firewall set logging droppedpackets = droppedpackets connections = connections
Substitute values for the placeholders in italics. The following table lists possible values for each placeholder.
| Placeholder | Possible Values | Description |
|---|---|---|
droppedpackets |
enable, disable |
Specifies whether to turn on (enable) or turn off (disable) the logging of dropped packets. |
connections |
enable, disable |
Specifies whether to turn on (enable) or turn off (disable) the logging of successful connections. |
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.
See Also
Concepts
Known Issues for Using the Windows Firewall Log
View the Windows Firewall Log File
Change the Size of the Windows Firewall Log File
Change the Name and Location of the Windows Firewall Log File