Virtual Migration Part 3 - Windows Firewall

Disabling the Windows Firewall for Windows XP 2000 Vista workstations

Before migrating computers (Workstations) to the target domain, create a domain policy to disable Windows Firewall. Computers that have difficulties joining domains tend to automatically set the Windows Firewall by deault, thereby locking out remote access and managemet of the workstation.

Disabling the Windows Firewall
This step describes the method for turning off the Windows Firewall for use only by IT administrators on managed systems.

Note that you still need some kind of firewall protection, so don't disable the Windows Firewall unless you have appropriate firewall software installed at the network level.

From the Start menu, select Run, then enter gpedit.msc.
Expand the Computer Configuration folder, then the Administrative Templates folder.
Expand the Network folder, then the Network Connections folder, then the Windows Firewall folder.
Select the Standard Profile folder.
Double-click the Windows Firewall: Protect all network connections option.
Select Disabled, then click OK.
Select the Domain Profile folder.
Double-click the Windows Firewall: Protect all network connections option.
Select Disabled, then click OK.
Close the Group Policy dialog box.
Disabling the Firewall Using Group Policy

This method is for IT administrators with administrative access to UT-managed machines that are part of a Windows 2000 or 2003 Active Directory domain.

Create a new Group Policy object, and give the object a descriptive name (for example, ITS-Turn off Windows Firewall).
Select the newly created group policy.
Right-click on the newly created policy and select Edit.
Expand the Computer Configuration folder, then the Administrative Templates folder.
Expand the Network folder, then the Network Connections folder, then the Windows Firewall folder.
Select the Standard Profile folder.
Double-click the Windows Firewall: Protect all network connections option.
Select Disabled, then click OK.
Select the Domain Profile folder.
Double-click the Windows Firewall: Protect all network connections option.
Select Disabled, then click OK.
Close the Group Policy dialog box.
In the Security Filter section, click Add.
Search for the objects that this group policy will be applied to, then click OK.
Close the Group Policy editor.