Reset Windows Firewall To Default Settings On Windows XP

The Windows Firewall is the default firewall of the Windows XP operating system that filters dangerous information that comes to your computer from other computers. The Windows Firewall is on by default on Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2). It is the first line of defense of the operating system against people or other programs including viruses and worms that are trying to connect to your computer without your permission. Even though the Windows Firewall is the default firewall of Windows XP operating system, you can still opt to use other free or commercial firewalls for your computer; however, you need to turn off the Windows Firewall if you chose to use other firewalls. Always bear in mind that there should only be one active firewall on your computer because having two or more firewalls active will make them conflict each other, making them useless, and they will make your computer run very slow.

If in case you changed the settings of your Windows Firewall and then you noticed that there are some programs installed on your computer that you cannot connect to the internet anymore, or if there are websites that you cannot access anymore, it is possible that the Windows Firewall is blocking them due to the new settings that you put in place. Fortunately, the Windows Firewall has an option to reset it to its default settings, therefore, even if you have already forgotten if what were the settings that you changed, you can put them back right away with just a few clicks.

1. Click on the START button located on the bottom left corner of the screen and choose CONTROL PANEL option.


2. Click the SECURITY CENTER option with the shield icon.


3. Click the WINDOWS FIREWALL option with the globe and wall icon.


4. Click the ADVANCED tab across the top of the Windows Firewall dialogue box.


5. Click the RESTORE DEFAULTS button under "Default Settings" category.


6. Click YES button on the Restore Defaults Confirmation window.


7. Click OK button to save the changes.