[natty]

This is probably a simple thing for you guys but it has me confused.

I have printer/file sharing turned off to use public wireless access.

Now whenever I turn these off on my Vista Business machine
it turns on Windows firewall.

Now, I have my own AV package and understand that no more than one firewall should be running.

Also when I turn off windows firewall this turns file and print sharing back ON !

Why would it do this ?

Thanks.

Natty.

[DaveA]

If you set the connection type "Public" it will do the protection for you. You do not need to go in at make changes to the setting listed in the lower portion of the "Network and Sharing Center".

Depending on which AV program you are using, some do NOT come with a firewall.

What AV program are you using?

[natty]

Thanks DaveA.

Yes, my connection is 'public'.

Wonder why the file/print sharing still shows 'on' if it is actually 'off'
due to public being selected ! very confusing particularly since
there seems to be some connection between file sharing
and windows firewall such that if I manually turn off file sharing
then my PC turns on Windows Firewall which I dont want/need.

I do have a firewall in my AV package.

Thanks.

Natty.

[DaveA]

"I do have a firewall in my AV package."

You should not ever need to turn OFF the Windows firewall if you have another running. A good one will turn the Windows one off when it is started so your machine is protected until the third party one is started.

The file and printer sharing setting are for the "Private" type of network. The "Public" does it's thing behind the scene, and protects you when you are out in the wild.