This procedure can be performed using the graphical user interface or the command prompt.

Using the graphical user interface

To enable or disable the Remote Desktop exception

1. Open Windows Firewall.
2. Click the Exceptions tab.To enable the remote desktop exception, in Programs and Services, select the Remote Desktop check box, and click OK.

   To disable the remote desktop exception, in Programs and Services, clear the Remote Desktop check box, and click OK.

If a Windows Firewall setting appears dimmed in the graphical user interface, and on the General tab, you see For your security, some settings are controlled by Group Policy, the setting might be managed by Group Policy. If all Windows Firewall settings appear dimmed, and on the General tab, you see You must be a computer administrator to change these settings, you do not have administrative rights to configure Windows Firewall.

Using the command prompt

To enable or disable the Remote Desktop exception

• Type the following at the command prompt, and press ENTER:netsh firewall set service type = remotedesktop mode = mode

Substitute values for the placeholder in italics. The following table lists possible values for the placeholder.

If you get an “Access Denied” message when you run a command, you do not have administrative rights to configure Windows Firewall. If you get an “Ok” message but the command does not take effect, the setting might be managed by Group Policy.

Notes

• To start Windows Firewall, click Start, point to Control Panel, and then click Windows Firewall.
• To open a command prompt, click Start, point to All programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt.
• You can also use Group Policy settings to perform this procedure and configure other Windows Firewall settings.
• Windows Firewall is not included in the original release of the Windows Server 2003 operating systems.