For Windows XP Home Edition:
---------------------------------
Open Regedit.exe and navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall
Backup and then delete the "WindowsFirewall" key.
Close Regedit.exe and restart Windows.
For Windows XP Professional:
-------------------------------
From Start/Run, type Gpedit.msc and navigate to:
Computer Configuration
=> Administrative Templates
=> System
=> Network
=> Network Connections
=> Windows Firewall
=> Standard Profile
Set the following options to "Not Configured" (defaults)
Windows Firewall: Protect all network connections
Windows Firewall: Do not allow exceptions
Windows Firewall: Define program exceptions
Windows Firewall: Allow local program exceptions
Windows Firewall: Allow remote administration exception
Windows Firewall: Allow file and printer sharing exception
Windows Firewall: Allow ICMP exceptions
Windows Firewall: Allow Remote Desktop exception
Windows Firewall: Allow UPnP framework exception
Windows Firewall: Prohibit notifications
Windows Firewall: Allow logging
Windows Firewall: Prohibit unicast response to multicast or broadcast
requests
Windows Firewall: Define port exceptions
Windows Firewall: Allow local port exceptions

Signature
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com
>I am running Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 2 - when I
>go
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> I
> get control back of my firewall?
BKiddL - 26 Nov 2005 16:49 GMT
thank you it fixed my problem

Signature
BKiddL
> For Windows XP Home Edition:
> ---------------------------------
[quoted text clipped - 47 lines]
> > I
> > get control back of my firewall?
Ramesh, MS-MVP - 27 Nov 2005 04:36 GMT
You're welcome.
Run these malware cleaners:
1. Ad-Aware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com
2. SpyBot S&D
http://www.safer-networking.org
3. CWShredder
http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html
Update 1 & 2 before running a scan.
Clean-up Windows Startup:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/startup.htm
Then, run a full system virus scan with fully updated definitions. Try Trend
Micro's Sysclean package (free), it's capable of eliminating keyloggers,
trojans etc.
Generic Trojan / Adware Infestation Removal Procedure:
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
Free Online Virus Scanners and Security Tests:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/scanners.htm

Signature
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com
> thank you it fixed my problem
>
[quoted text clipped - 51 lines]
>> > I
>> > get control back of my firewall?
brigadoom - 25 May 2008 18:28 GMT
> For Windows XP Home Edition:
> ---------------------------------
>
> Open Regedit.exe and navigate to:
>
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall
this is wrong because it does not exist in home edition
Ramesh, MS-MVP - 25 May 2008 18:50 GMT
The key does not exist in *any* edition of Windows XP unless a Policy is set, either via GPO or Registry-based. Most of the Policies that work in XP Pro applies to Windows XP Home Edition as well.

Signature
Regards,
Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
The Winhelponline Blog: http://www.winhelponline.com/blog
Windows® Troubleshooting: http://www.winhelponline.com
"Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:
> For Windows XP Home Edition:
> ---------------------------------
>
> Open Regedit.exe and navigate to:
>
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall
this is wrong because it does not exist in home edition
I have same issue, scanned with everything, found nothing. I tried the
regedit fix and I deleted that folder but it didn't fix the problem and when
I ran regedit again the folder was there again, dont know if that's supposed
to be how it is. I still have the firewall window grayed out so I can't make
any changes. ALso have xp home and serv pack 2 like other person.
> I am running Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 2 - when I go
> to Start > Control Panel> Windows Firewall> in the general screen it is all
> gray and when I go to the Exceptions tab it says "Your network administrator
> is using Group Pilicy to control these settings" What is this and how do I
> get control back of my firewall?