When you open Services.msc applet, the Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) service may not be available in the listing Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) service is available in Services listing, but you are unable to start the service.

You receive the following error message while accessing the firewall settings (firewall.cpl)

Due to an unidentified problem, Windows cannot display Windows Firewall settings.


This happens due to missing or corrupt SharedAccess registry key, which represents the Windows Firewall Service. This usually occurs if the system is infested with Virus or other Malware, or in the aftermath of Virus removal. In conjunction with the solution provided in the article, it's advisable to run a thorough cleanup of the system.

Download sharedaccess.reg (only for systems running Windows XP Service Pack 2) and save to Desktop. Then double-click the file to merge the contents to the registry. The Services entry will be created. Restart Windows (mandatory step, otherwise the following NETSH command will display an error message).

After restarting Windows, run this from Command Prompt (cmd.exe)

NETSH FIREWALL RESET

Launch firewall applet from Control Panel, and then configure your Windows Firewall settings.

If none of the above methods help, as a last-resort solution (before reinstalling Windows XP Service Pack 2), give these two commands a try. Click Start, Run and type:

rundll32 setupapi,InstallHinfSection Ndi-Steelhead 132 %windir%\inf\netrass.inf

Restart Windows, and then run this command (from Command Prompt):

NETSH FIREWALL RESET

Attempt to start Firewall applet. Start the Windows Firewall service when prompted.