Win 7

Hello Is it wiser to leave public profile outbound as allow (default) or to change it to block? I was reading the help section but that point was not clear to me. Thank you

I've never even looked at it. Is there some reason you think it needs to be changed? Some article that indicates this?

I've never even looked at it. Is there some reason you think it needs to be changed? Some article that indicates this?

I noticed Domain, Private and Public all have outbound as allow.
Having never set firewall settings + this caught my eye as being "loose".
Not knowing, I thought it safe to ask.
I think it is safe to leave the firewall as it is when installed and accept defaults.-correct?

I think I am right in saying that the options you mention are to do with location, and how the firewall should act according to your location, from memory you get asked this after a fresh install, and it gives a brief explanation there, but in short used at home the all option is fine, but at work (networked not at home), or used in a public place such as an internet café, then you select as needed, but if at home allowing all is fine, its what I use, but others may have better experience here.

leaving the settings on public will disable any file or printer sharing. So sharing files with others on your home network will not work. Setting to home or work will allow file and printer sharing.

leaving the settings on public will disable any file or printer sharing. So sharing files with others on your home network will not work. Setting to home or work will allow file and printer sharing.

I'm sorry but that is not clear to me.

Peter, this is the way mine is setup and I've had no reason to change it. 📎Win7Firewall.jpg

A picture says it all and I appreciate it. I was used to Norton where you had to configure some things. My firewall is the same as yours. I don't kow if I told you but I found a nice little mp4 converter/burner called 'sothink' for free. The pro is $35 but I don't need it. If I can run it all easily from taking the video to watching the dvd it must be ez.

I saw your post about the mp4 converter. Not anything I'm int3rested in as I don't do anything with movies other than post an occasional link somewhere. Glad you found it though. Take care.

Since I have reinstalled my o.s., I get a dialogue box which shows a choice for private and public access when I open a program like Skype. There is a dot in front of the private choice. It seems as thought the program might work but it says some parts were not installed and do I want to allow access. What should I do?

I don't know as I've never used Skype, but if unsure, chose Private, see what happens.

I don't know as I've never used Skype, but if unsure, chose Private, see what happens.

I don't want to complicate things but there is a section in system security where you can allow a program through Windows Firewall..
Mine has a dot at public for core networking and internet connection sharing.
I hope that is set properly by windows as I did not touch it.

I also noticed a default option at the windows firewall.
I wonder if it is wise to select it if you feel the firewall is not set up properly?

It seems when the firewall is first installed or set to default that the box I mentioned for Skype and a few other programs will appear with pprivate as the default.
I think it is working well but just want to be sure as we are off to vacation soon with MSE and the windows firewall and will be using some wifi.
I'll be insecure w/o the router but as you said it works for you.
I have been reading about a mifi which I think is a como modem and router but I am sure the expense for a brief vacation males it not feasible.
I think you can ge wifi from Comcast or Verizon but don't know if it offers you any more protection than other wifi.

Sorry to ramble as the questions had to do with my current settings where you can allow a program through Windows Firewall and the default option for the firewall.