How to Use the Group Policy Editor to Turn Off Windows Firewall

1. Log in to the computer with appropriate permissions to create group policy objects in the Group Policy Editor. This will typically involve a user who is part of the administrator group on the computer.
2. Open the Active Directory Users and Computers application. If you are at a server, this will be found by clicking on the start button in the lower right corner. On the right side of the menu, you will see another folder labeled 'Administrative Tools.' Inside that folder you will find the Active Directory Users and Computers application.
3. Open the run dialog box. This is opened by clicking on the start menu in the lower left corner and then clicking on the option that says 'Run.'
4. Open the Microsoft Management Console. This is done by typing 'mmc' in the field in the run dialog box, and then clicking on the button labeled 'OK.'
5. Open the Add/Remove Snap-ins dialog. This is done by clicking on the menu option labeled 'File' at the top of the dialog box. In the drop-down select the option for 'Add/Remove Snap-in.'
6. Add the snap-in for Group Policy. At the bottom of the dialog box you see now there is a button labeled 'Add' that you need to click on. You will be presented with a list of snap-ins. Look for one labeled 'Group Policy' and the click on the button labeled 'Add.'
7. Close the Add/Remove Snap-ins dialog. You will need to click on the button labeled 'Close' and then click on the button labeled 'OK' in the next window.
8. Expand the computer configuration folder. In the left pane of the window you will click on the plus sign next to the icon for computer configuration.
9. Expand the administrative templates folder. Below the computer configuration folder you will see an icon for the administrative folder where you will click the plus sign next to that folder.
10. Browse to the Windows firewall folder. This is done by expanding the folder labeled 'Network' by clicking the plus sign, then expanding the folder labeled 'Network Services,' and finally expanding the folder labeled 'Windows Firewall.'
11. Select the folder labeled 'Standard Profile.' Click on that folder and you will be presented with several options in the right pane.
12. Double click on the option in the right pane labeled 'Windows Firewall: Protect all network connections.' This is the first option in the right pane.
13. Select the option to disable firewall. This is a round radio button in the dialog box that is opened from the previous step.
14. Click the button labeled 'OK.'