Vista - Windows Firewall - Turn On or Off Shortcuts

Information

This will show you how to create two shortcuts to make it easy to turn Windows Firewall On or Off as needed.

NOTE

To manually turn Windows Firewall On or Off, and to verify that these shortcuts worked, see: How to Turn Windows Firewall On or Off in Vista

WARNING

The Windows Firewall and Base Filtering Engine services need to be set as Started and Automatic for Windows Firewall to be able to be turned on or off with these shortcuts.

• How to Turn Windows Firewall On or Off in Vista
• How to Use Windows Firewall With Advanced Security in Vista
• How to Add or Delete an Exception in Windows Firewall in Vista
• How to Disable or Enable the Security Center Alert Warning Notification in Vista

1. Click on the download button below to dowload the Windows Firewall Off-On Shortcuts.zip file.

2. Click on Save and save it to the Desktop.

3. Right click on the Windows Firewall Off-On Shortcuts.zip file (on desktop) and click on Open.

4. Click on Allow in the UAC prompt.

5. Extract both of the Turn Off Windows Firewall and Turn On Windows Firewall shortcuts to the desktop.

6. Put the shortcuts where you like to use them at.

7. When done, you can delete the Windows Firewall Off-On Shortcuts.zip file on the desktop.

NOTE

You will need to repeat this for each of the On and Off shortcut to create both of them.

1. Right click on a empty area of desktop and click on New and Shortcut.

2. For Turn Off Windows Firewall Shortcut -

A) Type netsh firewall set opmode disable and click on Next. (See left screenshot below)

B) Go to step 4.

3. For Turn On Windows Firewall Shortcut -

A) Type netsh firewall set opmode enable and click on Next. (See screenshot below)

B) Go to step 5.

4. For Turn Off Windows Firewall Shortcut -

A) Type Turn Off Windows Firewall and click on Finish. (See left screenshot below)
NOTE: You can name this shortcut anything you like.

B) Go to step 6.

5. For Turn On Windows Firewall Shortcut -

A) Type Turn On Windows Firewall and click on Finish. (See left screenshot below)
NOTE: You can name this shortcut anything you like.

6. Click on the Change Icon button. (See screenshot below)

7. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)

8. Copy %SystemRoot%\System32\FirewallControlPanel.exe , then right click in the line next to the Browse button and click Paste. (See screenshots below steps 9 and 10)
NOTE: You could also click the Browse button and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\FirewallControlPanel.exe instead.

9. For Turn Off Windows Firewall Shortcut -

A) Select the icon boxed in blue and clickon OK. (See screenshot below)

B) Go to step 11.

10. For Turn On Windows Firewall Shortcut -

A) Select the icon boxed in blue and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

11. Click on Apply. (See screenshot below step 6)

12. Click on the Advanced button. (See screenshot below step 6)

13. Check the Run as administrator box and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

14. Click on OK. (See screenshot below step 6)

15. Repeat for the other (On or Off) shortcut if needed.
NOTE: After you click on the (On or Off) shortcut, you will need to click on Continue for the UAC prompt.