How to Remove the Control Panel Icon for Windows Firewall

Windows Firewall is one of the programs that come with Windows programs to help protect computers from hacking attacks and other dangers while the computer is connected to the Internet. The firewall can be accessed through an icon found on the Control Panel. A user can remove this icon from the Control Panel if he wishes, though the process to do this is not an obvious one and requires the user to work through some files.

Instructions

1. Click the "Start" button on the lower-left side of the screen and select the "Run" option.

2. When the Run window appears, type in "regedit" and click "OK."

3. In the registry window, find the "HKEY_CURRENT_USER" folder on the left side of the window. Click on the "+" icon next to the folder, then select the "Control Panel" option.

4. Click on the "+" icon next to Control Panel and select the "don't load" option. In the open white space on the right side of the window, right-click. When the "New" option appears, highlight it and select the "String Value" option when it appears.

5. When the "New Value #1" appears, rename it as "firewall.cpl." Right-click "firewall.cpl" and select "Modify." In the "Edit String" window that pops up, type in "No" under the "Value data" section. The Windows Firewall icon is no longer on the Control Panel window.

Tips & Warnings

• To restore the Windows Firewall icon to the Control Panel window, delete the "firewall.cpl" and the icon will appear in the window again.

• The Windows Firewall icon is still on the Windows Security Center window even after it is removed from the Control Panel.

References

• Windows XP: Using Windows Firewall