How to Disable the Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall

Disable the ICF when your computer can't connect to the internet

By
Bradley Mitchell
Bradley Mitchell
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  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • University of Illinois
An MIT graduate who brings years of technical experience to articles on SEO, computers, and wireless networking.
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Updated on April 17, 2021
Reviewed by
Michael Barton Heine Jr
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Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr
Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries.
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What to Know

  • Start menu > Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > Network Connections.
  • Next, right-click the ICF to disable > Properties. Select Advanced tab, and go to Internet Connection Firewall.
  • Uncheck Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet.

This article explains how to disable the Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall.

Windows XP has been out of support since 2014. Upgrade to Windows 10 to ensure you receive appropriate security, stability, and feature updates. We retain the following content for people who cannot upgrade an XP-based computer.

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The Windows Internet Connection Firewall works on many Windows XP computers, where the feature is disabled by default. However, ICF can interfere with internet connection sharing and disconnect you from the internet when it is running.

Should You Disable ICF?

You can disable ICF, but Microsoft advises:

"You should enable ICF on the internet connection of any computer that is connected directly to the internet."

Despite this advice, you may be able to disable ICF safely. Most home routers have built-in firewalls, and you can install other firewall programs to replace the firewall provided in Windows XP.

If you don't have other firewall protection, it is best to leave ICF running unless it prevents you from connecting to the internet. In that case, you can disable it temporarily.

Red flip switch, on, off, 3D Rendering
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How to Disable the Windows XP Firewall

To temporarily disable the Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall when it interferes with your computer's internet connection:

  1. Open the Control Panel by selecting Start > Control Panel.

  2. Select Network and Internet Connections > Network Connections.

    If you view the Control Panel in Classic view, double-click the Network Connections link. Either option opens a list of available network connections.

  3. Right-click the connection that you want to disable the firewall, and select Properties.

  4. Go to the Advanced tab.

    In the Internet Connection Firewall section, uncheck Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet.

Windows XP SP2 uses Windows Firewall, which can be disabled in a slightly different way than described in these instructions.

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