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How do I disable the Windows OneCare firewall?

I'm having problems with the firewall in Microsoft's Windows OneCare product blocking my downloads from certain sites, and it's driving me crazy! How the heck do I disable the firewall so I can download what I want, then re-enable it when I'm done?


Dave's Answer:

Since I don't run OneCare on my own Windows computers, I turned to my colleague Walter Glenn, author of a bunch of books on MCSE and related Microsoft topics, and asked him about your problem. Here's what he shared:

It really shouldn't get in the way of downloading. It never has for me. Unless you're using a downloader program and the firewall is refusing it access to the Internet.

You can disable the firewall like this:

  1. Open Windows OneCare by double-clicking its icon in the notification area of the taskbar.
  2. On the left side of the window, under Other Tasks, click View or Change Settings
  3. In the Windows Live OneCare Settings dialog box, click the Firewall tab.
  4. Move the Security Level slider all the way down to the Off position.
  5. Click Apply

Be sure to turn it back on when you are done.

If you are using a downloading program, it would be better to add it to the list of allowed programs rather than just turn off the firewall. To do that, on the Firewall tab:

  1. Click Advanced Settings.
  2. Click the Add button.
  3. Browse to the executable file (.exe) for the downloader and then click Open.
  4. The file should now appear in the program list and should be set to Allow. If it isn't, set it to Allow and then click OK.

I've used OneCare for several months now and recently bought a paid subscription. $50 for 3 computers for a year for virus and spam is hard to beat, especially when they throw in a two-way firewall and the auto tune-up features. So far, it's been a nicely unobtrusive program - much better than Norton and McAfee.

Thanks, Walter! You can learn more about his books and work with Microsoft at his rather austere Web site too: WalterGlenn.com.


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Categorized: Windows PC Help   (Article 6632, Written by )
Tagged: microsoft windows onecare, one care, spyware, virus software
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Reader Comments To Date: 3

mountain dude said, on October 10, 2008 6:39 AM:

open command prompt and type this command

net stop msfwsvc
net stop msfwdrv
net stop msfwhlpr

lee said, on January 31, 2009 12:07 PM:

Since I now have vista, anytime someone clicks on one of my email hyperlinks, it goes to windows live mail. I don't want windows live mail. I can't retreve my messages. I want my msn mail.
What can I do to get back my msn mail when I use a hyperlink?

joe said, on April 30, 2009 3:46 PM:

one care cannot turn on one care at this time what should i do. can you help

Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!











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