Problem: Cannot change Windows Firewall setting on a Microsoft Windows XP SP2 workstation connected to a Small Business Server 2003 because the options are grayed out.

Solution: Remove Firewall Group Policy from the registry.
Note: Local Machine Administrator Rights may be required. If necessary contact your Network Administrator.

Launch RegEdit.

Delete the Registry Key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall]

To restore the Group Policy with Firewall On and grayed out.

Launch RegEdit.

Add the following information into the registry.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall\DomainProfile]
“EnableFirewall”=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall\StandardProfile]
“EnableFirewall”=dword:00000001